FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2021–2023
The Counter Item 20: outlets, closures & growth
In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2023), The Counter reported 14 franchised outlets at year end. 3 of 19 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system — an annualized exit rate of 15.8%— while 0 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved -36.0% over 2021–2023.
| Status (FTC) | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlets at start | 26 | 25 | 19 |
| Opened | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transfers | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Terminations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-renewals | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Reacquired by franchisor | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ceased — other reasons | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Outlets at end | 25 | 19 | 16 |
| Net change | -1 | -6 | -3 |
0 terminations + 1 non-renewals + 2 ceased (other) = 3 exits ÷ 19 at start = 15.8%
These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchisee involuntarily or terminally leaves the system. Transfers (0) are resales, not exits; reacquisitions by the franchisor (2) are tracked separately. There is no official “failure rate” — this annualized exit rate is the disclosed, measurable floor.
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