FRANCHISE·WATCH·DESK

FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2021–2025

CODE NINJAS Item 20: outlets, closures & growth

In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2025), CODE NINJAS reported 238 franchised outlets at year end. 13 of 239 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system — an annualized exit rate of 5.4%— while 14 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved -14.6% over 2021–2025.

Item 20 · outlet status by yearas filed
Status (FTC)20212022202320242025
Outlets at start248287289269244
Opened4824141814
Transfers1817312516
Terminations019582
Non-renewals007208
Reacquired by franchisor23302
Ceased — other reasons7121133
Outlets at end287289269244245
Net change+39+2-20-25+1
How the exit count is computedfiscal 2025

2 terminations + 8 non-renewals + 3 ceased (other) = 13 exits ÷ 239 at start = 5.4%

These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchisee involuntarily or terminally leaves the system. Transfers (16) 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.

Franchised outlets by state · fiscal 202539 states/territories
StateFranchisedCompany-owned
CA51
FL25
TX246
NJ17
IL11
GA10
VA10
PA7
WA7
AZ6
MN6
NC6
OH6
CO5
CT5
MA51
UT5
MD3
MO30
NV3
NY3
OR3
IN2
SC2
TN2
WI2
AR1
DE1
IA1
ID1
KS10
LA1
ND1
OK1
WV1
MI0
NE0
SD0
WY0
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