I'm Olivier — a finance professional with twenty plus years of deal experience. Think of me as a CFO you engage before you commit to a franchise investment — and, where appropriate, as a financial advisor through your first year of opening and operating. We'll talk through the franchise you're considering, and if we're a fit I'll do the financial review so you have a clear picture to evaluate your proposed investment.
Everyone starts on the Starter path — a careful look at your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the question sets you'll need to do real diligence, and a working session to talk through it together. If you want a deeper financial picture before you commit, the Full engagement path picks up from there with a working financial model, scenario analysis, and a longer session. The buying decision is always yours — my job is to make sure the financial side of it is clear.
You send me the FDD and a short intake form. I review the document end-to-end to identify the specific financial risks worth your attention, and flag the parts that need a closer look.
Two customized question sets: financial questions to put directly to the franchisor (targeting what the FDD doesn't quite answer), and a separate validation script for current franchisees (what to ask, how to read between the lines). You make the calls; I'll prep you for both.
We meet over Zoom to walk through what I found in the FDD review and your question sets. You ask the questions, I give you candid answers.
Send me questions as they come up — I'll reply within one business day.
A working financial model built from the key FDD assumptions. Helps you understand your cash-flow needs, when (and how much) financing you might need, and how the early months hang together. A model you can stress-test on your validation calls — to confirm the underlying assumptions hold up and to feel confident in the outcomes.
Using the FDD's own assumptions as the baseline, I'll help you think through what downside risk could look like, and where the realistic upside sits. The output is a set of pointed questions you can ask the franchisor and existing franchisees to pressure-test both ends.
A consolidated financial summary brings together the FDD review, the working model, and the scenario analysis — and we meet for 60 minutes to walk through every part together so you can weigh it against the rest of your decision.
Send me questions as you complete your own diligence — I'll reply within one business day.
The franchise broker works for the franchisor. Your accountant is focused on closing your books and tax filings — not proactive, risk-based financial decision-making. Your attorney reads the FDD but doesn't model it. I sit on your side of the table — and only your side.
"Break-even" instead of "EBITDA inflection." Every term explained where you read it.
No referral fees, no commissions, no kickbacks. You pay us — that's the only relationship.
Built from what the FDD discloses and what existing franchisees actually report — not glossy projections.
Information in a format you can confidently share with a lender, an accountant, or a family member helping you weigh the decision.
I've spent my career bringing financial discipline to deals — first auditing public companies at KPMG, then leading commercial deal diligence at one of the largest software companies in the world. I created this service because the same rigor isn't available to individuals considering a franchise investment.
I started at KPMG in the Audit Practice, spending eleven years auditing public technology and telecom companies across the US and UK firms — including IPOs and first-year public-company audits. I specialized in revenue recognition, SEC compliance, and the complex disclosures that separate a clean business from one with surprises buried in the footnotes. That training — reading financial statements skeptically, knowing what questions auditors ask, recognizing when numbers don't add up — is the same discipline an FDD demands.
I then spent thirteen years at VMware, where I co-led the build-out of the global Deal Management Team — growing it from a handful of people out of finance to a 200+ person organization supporting every line of business. We were the institutional check on whether a deal was actually good: commercial diligence, contract structuring, revenue risk identification, deal quality controls. After that I ran GTM Finance for the Customer Experience & Services organization (~8,000 employees), responsible for P&L, planning, and the financial models that decided where the company invested.
More recently, I evaluated several franchise opportunities as a potential personal investment — working through FDDs, building models, and pressure-testing the unit economics. The diligence I did for my own decision gave me a working knowledge of how franchise systems are structured, where the numbers can mislead, and what a prospective buyer truly needs to understand before signing. Having sat on the buyer's side of the table, I know first-hand how few independent resources there are for an individual evaluating this kind of investment — which is exactly the gap this service is built to fill.
Buying a franchise can be a significant investment of time and money for many individuals. The franchisor has lawyers and a 200-page disclosure document. The broker is paid on commission. The buyer has a spreadsheet and hope. I've watched corporate teams spend weeks evaluating a $50,000 software contract — and I've watched individuals sign $400,000+ franchise agreements after a single weekend's research.
That's why I created Your Franchise CFO. My role isn't to make the decision for you — it's to put the plain, unbiased financial picture in your hands so you can make it confidently. You send me the FDD. I work through the numbers, the structure, and the risks, and then I translate what I find into language you can actually use. At the end you have the same kind of clear read on the deal that an institutional buyer would expect — and the final call stays yours.
"Corporate buyers don't sign a $400k contract without a careful financial review. Why should you?"
A curated list of authoritative third-party guides I recommend reading alongside the FDD. Useful context whether or not we end up working together — and I'll add more as I come across them.
This official FTC guide explains what franchisors must tell you before you buy, including all costs, legal problems, and how much money other franchisees actually make. It helps you understand the fine print and spot warning signs before you invest.
The SBA breaks down their loan types so you can quickly see which one works for buying a franchise. Compare options and pick the best fit.
Bill Winkelman is a franchise consultant and Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur's Source. A former Fortune 500 executive at Starbucks and Microsoft, he helps professionals explore franchise ownership opportunities and identify the right concept for their goals, skills, and lifestyle. A great first stop if you're still figuring out which franchise to pursue.
Aside from this service, I also run a YouTube channel on how small-business owners can use AI to run their operations more efficiently — hiring, marketing, customer reviews, finance, the practical stuff. Not the focus of this site, but a useful free resource as you think about running the business after making your investment decision.
A complimentary call, no commitment. Tell me about the franchise you're considering — I'll tell you whether I can help and what to expect. Grab a time on my calendar at your convenience.
"I spent twenty plus years bringing institutional discipline to billion-dollar deals.
The first-time buyer signing a $400k agreement deserves the same rigor."
The basics. Everything downstream builds on this.
Upload the PDF — we'll extract all 23 Items, score them for risk, and flag what needs a second look. Review and correct anything before you save.
We'll parse all 23 Items automatically. Typical FDDs are 150–300 pages — extraction takes about 40 seconds.
What existing franchisees actually earn.
In plain English: do they tell you what's left over after expenses, or only sales?
Structured calls with current and former franchisees. Ask the same questions. Compare answers. Catch what the FDD won't tell you.
| Franchisee | Location · Yrs open | Year 1 sales | Sentiment | Buy again? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jennifer K. Apr 19, 2026 |
Boulder, CO · 4 yrs | $812k | 9 / 10 | Yes | |
Marcus T. Apr 17, 2026 |
Park City, UT · 3 yrs | $742k | 8 / 10 | Yes | |
Dana R. Apr 15, 2026 |
Scottsdale, AZ · 2 yrs | $681k | 8 / 10 | Yes | |
Patricia L. Apr 12, 2026 |
Traverse City, MI · 6 yrs | $928k | 9 / 10 | Yes | |
Robert S. Apr 10, 2026 |
Charleston, SC · 5 yrs | $698k | 6 / 10 | Unsure | |
Amanda V. Apr 8, 2026 |
Savannah, GA · 2 yrs | $512k | 4 / 10 | No | |
Kevin O. Apr 5, 2026 |
Annapolis, MD · 3 yrs | $634k | 5 / 10 | No |
5-year projection. Edit any assumption — the model updates everywhere. Sources traced from FDD and validation calls.
Each expense gets three independent looks: what the FDD discloses, what our market model estimates for your territory, and what existing franchisees actually spend. Where they disagree, that's where to dig.
| Line item | FDD disclosed | AI estimate (Denver) | Peer median | Your working | Spread | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rent (monthly)
Fixed · Cherry Creek retail
|
$6.0k – $10.0k | $8.5k ± $0.8k |
$8.9k n=5 |
$8.2k | Moderate | |
|
Why they differ
FDD gives a national range. Our AI models Cherry Creek Class B retail at $48/sqft NNN for a 2,100 sqft footprint. Peer calls came in higher because most peers signed leases in 2022–23 at the market peak. Sources: CoStar Denver submarket, LoopNet Cherry Creek (last 90 days), 5 franchisee calls.
How to validate
What peers said
Jennifer K. · Boulder "$9.2k/mo base + $1.8k NNN. Co-tenancy clause helped." Amanda V. · Savannah "$7.5k but tourist-district pricing. Denver will be higher." |
||||||
|
Labor (% of sales)
Variable · Colorado min wage $14.42
|
~25% implied | 29% ± 2 pts |
30% n=7 |
28% | High divergence | |
|
Why they differ
FDD Item 7 implies ~25% based on staffing guidance — but uses a $12/hr average. Colorado's 2026 min wage is $14.42. Peer calls confirm real-world labor runs 30%. Your working assumption of 28% may be optimistic. Flag: Consider raising working assumption to 30%.
How to validate
What peers said
Marcus T. · Park City "31%. Turnover killed us year one." Dana R. · Scottsdale "Running 28% now, was 34% in Y1." |
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|
COGS (% of sales)
Variable · Ingredient & packaging
|
32% | 34% | 35% n=6 |
34% | Aligned | |
|
Why they differ
Franchisor uses mandated supplier pricing. Our estimate adds 1.5–2 pts for shrinkage/waste typical at specialty food retail. Peer data confirms real-world runs slightly higher. How to validate
What peers said
Patricia L. · Traverse City "35% steady. Summer spikes to 38%." |
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|
Local marketing (monthly)
Beyond ad fund
|
$1.5k | $3.5k | $4.2k n=5 |
$3.5k | High divergence | |
|
Why they differ
FDD badly understates local marketing. Multiple peers reported spending 2–3× the disclosed figure to hit Year 1 ramp. This is a known gap across specialty food franchises. How to validate
What peers said
Robert S. · Charleston "$4k/mo. FDD said $1.5k. Won't hit ramp without it." |
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|
Royalty + ad fund
Contractual · Item 6
|
6% + 2% | 8% | 8% n=7 |
8% | Aligned | |
|
Owner's health insurance
Added by you
Fixed · not in FDD · self-employed plan
|
— | $1,950/mo ± $200 |
$1,650/mo n=3 |
$1,500/mo | Aligned |
|
|
Your notes
Leaving W2 job — need self-employed health plan for family of 4. FDD assumes you already have coverage. Real cost for most first-time owners. How to validate
What peers said
Dana R. · Scottsdale "$1.8k family plan. Huge surprise hit." |
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|
Utilities & other opex
Mixed
|
$2.8k/mo | $3.2k/mo | $3.5k/mo n=4 |
$3.5k/mo | Moderate | |
|
Why they differ
Kilwins requires freezer units 24/7. Xcel Energy rates in Cherry Creek are ~14% above national. Peer call data matches our estimate. How to validate
What peers said
Kevin O. · Annapolis "$3.8k avg. Spikes July/August." |
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Adjust sliders. Values update on the right.
| $ in thousands | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 720 | 770 | 824 | 882 | 944 |
| YoY growth | — | 7.0% | 7.0% | 7.0% | 7.0% |
| Cost of goods | (245) | (262) | (280) | (300) | (321) |
| Gross profit | 475 | 508 | 544 | 582 | 623 |
| Labor | (202) | (216) | (231) | (247) | (264) |
| Rent | (98) | (101) | (104) | (107) | (110) |
| Royalty & ad fund | (58) | (62) | (66) | (71) | (76) |
| Other opex | (42) | (44) | (46) | (48) | (50) |
| Operating income | 75 | 85 | 97 | 109 | 123 |
| Debt service | (44) | (44) | (44) | (44) | (44) |
| Owner's draw (pre-tax) | (60) | (75) | (85) | (95) | (100) |
| Free cash flow | (29) | (34) | (32) | (30) | (21) |
| SDE (pre-debt, pre-draw) | 135 | 160 | 182 | 204 | 223 |
Three versions of the future. Because no one gets the forecast exactly right.
Slow ramp, 20% below Item 19 median.
Validation-call median outcome.
Strong first-year ramp.
How the outcome changes as two inputs move.
| Revenue Yr 1 ↓ / Labor → | 24% | 26% | 28% | 30% | 32% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $620k | 142 | 128 | 114 | 100 | 86 |
| $680k | 168 | 152 | 136 | 120 | 104 |
| $720k (base) | 196 | 178 | 182 | 142 | 124 |
| $780k | 228 | 208 | 188 | 168 | 148 |
| $840k | 262 | 240 | 218 | 196 | 174 |
What revenue level covers all fixed costs.
Weighted across scenarios.
Your one-page decision document. Lender-ready. Sharable.
Approve a $438,000 investment in a single-unit Kilwins franchise in Cherry Creek, Denver. $175k cash equity, $263k SBA 7(a) loan. Target Year 3 SDE of $182k; cash-on-cash of 24.1%; payback ~3.8 years.
| Scenario | Probability | Year 3 SDE | Payback | DSCR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downside | 30% | $94k | 6.2 yr | 1.1x |
| Base | 50% | $182k | 3.8 yr | 1.9x |
| Upside | 20% | $246k | 2.9 yr | 2.6x |
| Expected value | — | $168k | 4.1 yr | 1.8x |
Two structured engagement options — chosen based on the depth of review you need. Because every franchise differs in complexity, I quote each engagement individually. After our introductory call I'll prepare a brief Statement of Work outlining scope, deliverables, timeline, and a fixed fee. You proceed only once you've reviewed and accepted the engagement letter. No referral fees or commissions — ever.
Tell me about the franchise you're considering, where you are in your decision, and what's on your mind. I'll let you know whether I can help and what the engagement would look like. No prep needed.
A brief conversation to understand the franchise, where you are in your decision, and the scope that would be most useful.
I prepare a tailored Statement of Work — services, deliverables, and timeline — informed by the complexity of the franchise we discussed.
Once you're comfortable with the scope and fee, we countersign a brief engagement letter formalizing the terms. Payment instructions are confirmed at signing.
You send the FDD and a short intake form. Work begins per the timeline set out in the Statement of Work.
Discovery through engagement letter typically occurs within a few business days of the introductory call.
Pick what fits your decision. We'll discuss which makes sense for you on the complimentary intro call, and I'll provide a tailored quote.
A focused review and conversation. Best when you want a knowledgeable second opinion before going deeper.
A complete review — written report, financial model, and a one-page summary of the financial considerations for your decision.
Additional services are available on an ad-hoc basis — a second franchise review, deeper financial modeling, help preparing the financial inputs for a lender application, or ongoing advisory as you operate. Each is scoped and quoted separately under an amended or new Statement of Work, so there are no surprises.
Beyond the kickoff items above, mostly your time and engagement. I may have follow-up questions about your situation as I work through the FDD, and you'll be the one making the validation calls with existing franchisees (using the question script I prepare). The deliverables land better when you bring your own questions to our working session — the goal is to leave you with a clear understanding of the numbers behind the decision.
Depends on which engagement you select and the complexity of the franchise. Starter typically runs about 5 business days from kickoff to the 60-minute consultation. Full engagement typically runs 10–14 business days from intake to the final working session. A specific timeline is set out in your Statement of Work, and you'll get progress updates at each stage.
No. I'm not a licensed investment advisor, broker, or attorney. This is a structured financial review, modeling, and an experienced second opinion. The decision is always yours.
Never. I'm paid only by you, only the disclosed fee. No franchisor, broker, or lender pays me anything. Independence is the whole point.
Each engagement covers a single franchise. If you're weighing more than one, mention it on the introductory call — I'll structure the Statement of Work and fee to reflect the combined scope.
Yes. Everything you share with me — your FDD, your financials, your plans — stays between us.
Send me a short note at yourfranchisecfo@gmail.com — any of the "Book a complimentary intro call" buttons on this page will open a pre-filled draft for you. I'll reply with a few times for a complimentary introductory call to discuss the franchise, where you are in your decision, and the scope that would be useful. If we're a fit, I'll follow up with a Statement of Work and engagement letter for your review. If not, no obligation either way.
yourfranchisecfo@gmail.com