FDD Item 22
Contracts
FDD Item 22 attaches all contracts the franchisee will sign — the franchise agreement itself, plus any related contracts (lease addenda, supply agreements, software licenses, area development agreements). These are the actual binding documents.
Why It Matters
Item 22 is where the words that bind you live. Every other item in the FDD summarizes or references provisions that ultimately exist in the contracts attached here. Read these in full before signing — or hire a franchise attorney to do so.
What Item 22 Must Disclose
- The franchise agreement in full
- Any area development agreement, master franchise agreement, or other primary contract
- Related agreements (lease addendum, software license, supply agreement, etc.)
- Personal guaranty form, if applicable
What to Look For
- Discrepancies between FDD summaries and the actual contract language — the contract controls
- Mandatory arbitration clauses, choice-of-law provisions, and venue selection
- Personal guaranty scope — full personal liability vs. limited
- Modification clauses that allow the franchisor to change operating standards unilaterally
Go Deeper
FDD Item 22 Explained: What to Mark Up in the Sample Contracts Before Signing
Item 22 includes the sample franchise agreement and any related contracts the franchisee will sign. This is where the actual legal commitment lives — Items 5 through 21 are the summary, Item 22 is the source code. Here's what to flag, what to negotiate, and what to walk away from.