FRANCHISEDEPTH FDD DATABASE: START HERE
Free sample (25 brands). Compiled 2026-11-01. 25 franchise brands.

Every figure comes from, or is calculated from, each brand's latest Franchise Disclosure
Document (FDD) as filed with a US state. Information only, not financial or legal advice.


1. UNZIP THE FILE
   Right-click the zip and choose "Extract all" (Windows) or double-click it (Mac).
   Inside you'll find:
   - franchisedepth.xlsx       Excel workbook: every table as a tab, plus a Compare tab
   - brand_summary.csv         one row per brand with the key figures
   - franchisedepth.sqlite     the full database, for SQL and AI tools
   - csv/  parquet/            each table as its own file
   - profiles/                 one readable page per brand
   - profiles_by_industry/     the same pages, grouped by industry
   - AI_GUIDE.md               how to use the data with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok and others
   - AI_INSTRUCTIONS.txt       instructions to paste into any AI assistant
   - AGENTS.md                 what every column means and how each figure is calculated
   - example_queries.sql       ready-made SQL questions
   - mcp/                      connector for Claude Desktop and other MCP apps
   - LICENSE.txt               what your licence allows
   Complete database only: alternatives (similar brands), peer_ranks (how each brand ranks against
   its peers) and value_ratios (revenue relative to investment and royalty).


2. LOOK AT IT IN EXCEL OR GOOGLE SHEETS
   - Open franchisedepth.xlsx. Each tab is one table; brands is one row per brand.
   - Compare tab: pick up to five brands from the drop-downs in row 2 (use the brand
     codes shown in the brands tab, such as "subway"). The figures fill in below.
   - Google Sheets: File > Import > Upload, and choose brand_summary.csv or
     franchisedepth.xlsx.


3. ASK AN AI ASSISTANT
   - Upload brand_summary.csv to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Copilot or Perplexity.
   - Paste the text of AI_INSTRUCTIONS.txt as your first message.
   - Ask your question, for example: "Which food brands under $300,000 to open have the
     lowest closure rate? Show a table with the FDD year for each."
   - For a custom GPT, Gem or Project, and for which files to use, see AI_GUIDE.md.


4. CONNECT IT TO CLAUDE DESKTOP (OPTIONAL, LIVE SQL)
   a. Install uv: https://docs.astral.sh/uv/
   b. In Claude Desktop open Settings > Developer > Edit config, and add (with your own
      folder path):
      {"mcpServers": {"franchisedepth": {"command": "uv", "args": ["run", "--with", "mcp", "python",
      "C:/path/to/mcp/franchisedepth_mcp.py", "C:/path/to/franchisedepth.sqlite"]}}}
   c. Restart Claude Desktop. Ask: "Using franchisedepth, which quick-service brands have
      the highest comparable revenue?" The connector is read-only.


5. USE SQL (OPTIONAL)
   - Free app: DB Browser for SQLite (https://sqlitebrowser.org). Open franchisedepth.sqlite.
   - Run the questions in example_queries.sql, or write your own. Join tables on brand_slug.
   - SELECT * FROM column_docs;  lists what every column means.


6. GOOD TO KNOW
   - Blank means not disclosed, not zero.
   - older_fdd = 1 marks brands whose latest FDD on file is from 2022 or earlier.
   - Rows with an edition_note are not the brand's standard unit-franchise offer.
   - Revenue is not profit.


7. UPDATES, LICENCE AND HELP
   - Corrected files for this edition are free: download again from your Gumroad library
     (gumroad.com/library) to get the latest.
   - Your licence is shown on your receipt; LICENSE.txt has the terms.
   - A damaged file or a question: message us through Gumroad.