Franchise opening questions, answered with sources
Short answers about franchise documents, funding, listings and how ClearBuild works. Each answer shows where it comes from.
Last reviewed Oct 14, 2026Looking for permit timelines, building code dates, construction costs or retail rents? They are in the South Florida Franchise Opening Index. Unfamiliar word? See the glossary.
Franchise documents
What is a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)?
An FDD is the document a franchisor gives you before you buy. Under the FTC's Franchise Rule it has 23 items, and it must reach you at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or make a payment to the franchisor or an affiliate. Read all of it before you commit to a site or a lease.
Which FDD items matter most when choosing a site?
Item 5 lists initial fees. Item 6 lists other fees, such as royalties. Item 7 is the estimated initial investment, including construction, leasehold improvements and deposits. Item 11 describes the franchisor's help with site selection and how long opening usually takes. Item 12 covers territory. Item 19 is where financial performance information appears. Item 20 lists outlets and franchisee information.
What does Item 19 tell me, and what if it is blank?
Item 19 is where an FDD may give financial performance information, and a franchisor is not required to give any. If it gives none, the FDD says it makes no representation about what you may earn. The Franchise Rule allows figures that differ from Item 19 only in two cases: the actual records of an existing outlet you are considering buying, or a written supplement that explains the difference. Treat figures from anywhere else as unverified.
What does territory mean in an FDD?
Item 12 says whether the franchise is for a specific location or a location the franchisor approves, any minimum territory, and whether you receive an exclusive territory. If you do not, the FDD must say you may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets or other channels. Check this before you choose a site.
Is the FDD information on ClearBuild the official document?
No. ClearBuild's FDD summaries are compiled from public sources and shown for the brand you're evaluating, one brand at a time: one brand without an account, and a few brands each month with a free account (franchisors see their own brand). They are not a substitute for a brand's current FDD. Where a record needs checking, ClearBuild asks you to verify it by uploading the FDD.
Source: Your brand's FDD
Funding
Which SBA loans does ClearBuild cover for franchises?
ClearBuild's Fund your build page covers SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans. Florida Business Development Corporation (FBDC), a nonprofit SBA 504 lender in Florida since 1989, describes the 504 program this way: A 504 loan pairs a bank (about 50%) with FBDC (about 40%) and as little as 10% down. It can fund land, buildings, new construction and renovation of property the business will occupy. It cannot fund working capital. Since Jul 4, 2026, eligible small businesses that secure a 7(a) loan first can combine SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans for up to $10M in SBA-backed financing (each program still caps at $5M).
Source: fbdc.net (checked Oct 11, 2026); U.S. Small Business Administration, News release 26-52 (May 18, 2026)
Do lenders pay to be listed on ClearBuild?
No. ClearBuild is not a lender, and lenders do not pay to be listed. The list on Fund your build comes from public SBA loan data, with a source and a check date on each figure (last checked Sep 24, 2026).
Source: Fund your build; sbaloansHQ, Florida SBA 7(a) lenders (SBA FOIA loan-level data, FY2021–FY2026)
What is the Site Support Package?
It is a printable, source-cited document for a lender: applicant and loan information, the proposed site, market conditions, trade-area zone scores, regulatory context and competitive context. It is not a formal trade-area study. It does not produce revenue projections, DSCR or appraisals; those stay with the brand's FDD and the lender.
Source: Site Support Package
Listings and realtors
What does "Verified" mean on a listing?
It means ClearBuild checked that item. On ClearBuild Curated, "Verified, 2+ sources" means more than one source supports the space, and "Single source: confirm with broker" means one does. Every Curated space shows the date it was last checked. Realtor-posted listings and contractor details are provided by the realtors and contractors themselves.
Source: Listings
Who represents whom when I ask about a space?
When you ask about a realtor-posted space, the listing agent, BXP Group and ClearBuild join one conversation with you. The listing agent: Works for the landlord or owner who listed the space, so their job is to lease it. Ask them about the space itself, and ask which brokerage relationship they offer you. BXP Group (Eugene Nesterov): Franchise development and construction management. Joins the conversation to help with the franchise-development side of your opening. ClearBuild (Rohane Davidson): Runs this site and keeps the conversation organized. Rohane also works at Florida Construction Services, one of the contractors listed on ClearBuild. If you want a broker who works only for you as the tenant, that is a separate engagement you choose to make. Nobody here is required. You choose your own realtor, architect, permit expeditor and contractor, and your account never commits you to ClearBuild, BXP or anyone listed.
Source: Listings
Can I save listings, and what if one is no longer available?
Franchisee, franchisor and franchise broker accounts can save listings with the Save button, and the saved list sits in your workspace. A space the realtor no longer lists as available cannot be saved. If one you saved becomes unavailable, it stays in your list marked no longer available, so you keep the record.
Source: Listings
How do I check a realtor's license?
A realtor's Florida license number appears on their profile and their listings, with a link to the state's DBPR license lookup. A profile shows "License checked" only when ClearBuild has looked the license up on DBPR.
Source: Florida DBPR license search; Realtors
How do commercial realtors join ClearBuild?
Up to 5 commercial realtors can post listings. A realtor applies on the Join page and ClearBuild approves each account. Approved realtors post their own commercial listings, which go live right away, and get a public profile page once ClearBuild publishes it.
Source: Join ClearBuild
About ClearBuild
Is ClearBuild free?
Most tools are free and need no account. FDD information is available to signed-in accounts. You can start a Zone Report without signing up and save a free project when you want to come back to it.
Source: Tools
Who built ClearBuild, and is it independent?
ClearBuild was built and is maintained by Rohane Davidson. It is independent. Rohane also works at Florida Construction Services (CGC1522193), a licensed South Florida contractor that is one of the contractors listed on ClearBuild. You choose your own realtor, architect, permit expeditor and contractor.
Source: Compare contractors; Verify any Florida license with DBPR
Which areas does ClearBuild cover?
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in Florida, split into 12 zones that ClearBuild ranks for each brand.
Source: Growth Map
Does ClearBuild sell my information?
No. ClearBuild uses what you enter to build your results and your report. Optional aggregate learning is separate from your private project, and your personal information is not sold.
Source: Privacy
Is ClearBuild a substitute for professional advice?
No. ClearBuild gives planning information, not a formal trade-area study, legal review or a signed bid. Check the cited sources, and use a lawyer, lender and licensed contractor for the decisions that need them.
Source: Methodology and sources
Still stuck? Email Rohane or start your Zone Report.