FRANCHISE·WATCH·DESK

FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2021–2023

TCBY Item 20: outlets, closures & growth

In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2023), TCBY reported 145 franchised outlets at year end. 9 of 151 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system — an annualized exit rate of 6.0%— while 3 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved -15.7% over 2021–2023.

Item 20 · outlet status by yearas filed
Status (FTC)202120222023
Outlets at start202172151
Opened233
Transfers686
Terminations000
Non-renewals000
Reacquired by franchisor000
Ceased — other reasons3279
Outlets at end172168145
Net change-30-4-6
How the exit count is computedfiscal 2023

0 terminations + 0 non-renewals + 9 ceased (other) = 9 exits ÷ 151 at start = 6.0%

These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchisee involuntarily or terminally leaves the system. Transfers (6) are resales, not exits; reacquisitions by the franchisor (0) are tracked separately. There is no official “failure rate” — this annualized exit rate is the disclosed, measurable floor.

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