FRANCHISE·WATCH·DESK

FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2019–2024

Surface Experts Item 20: outlets, exits & growth

In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2024, from the 2024 FDD · 1+ year old), Surface Experts reported 81 franchised outlets at year end. 3 of 72 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system (exit rate 4.2%, fiscal 2024), while 12 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved +37.3% over 2022–2024.

Item 20 · outlet status by yearas filed
Status (FTC)2019202220232024
Outlets at start0375972
Opened15231612
Transfers0023
Terminations0013
Non-renewals0000
Reacquired by franchisor0000
Ceased — other reasons0120
Outlets at end15597281
Net change+15+22+13+9
How the exit count is computedfiscal 2024

3 terminations + 0 non-renewals + 0 ceased (other) = 3 exits ÷ 72 at start = 4.2%

These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchised outlet left the system — including voluntary non-renewals and outlets that ceased for other reasons, which can include sales or absorption into another franchise. Transfers (3) are resales, not exits; reacquisitions by the franchisor (0) are tracked separately. There is no official “failure rate”, and not every exit is a closure or a failure; Item 20 does not say why any outlet left. On a small starting base, a single exit moves this rate sharply.

Franchised outlets by state · fiscal 201911 states/territories
StateFranchisedCompany-owned
FL3—
GA2—
OH2—
CA1—
IN1—
KS1—
MO1—
NC1—
SC1—
TX1—
WA1—

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