The Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) is a document listing all franchise outlets nationwide. With the increasing desire to expand local businesses nationwide, franchising has become an increasing option for companies to grow their businesses, sell more products and services and therefore receive additional royalties from franchise outlets. Due to Federal and State regulatory bodies, each one of these outlets must be listed in the UFOC. Each potential franchise buyer must receive a UFOC document within 10 days prior to purchase.
A Franchisor Business Management Team should find it very important to constantly update any information in the UFOC exhibits, which are attached to the UFOC document. One should be aware that there are often irregularities between information and the UFOC document and the franchise agreement with what is in the exhibit pages. Usually the discrepancy is apparent where the number of outlets and names and addresses of each franchisee are listed. In the litigation section of the UFOC document it is not required to cross-reference the exhibit pages of franchise outlets names and phone numbers. The reason for this is because a franchise in litigation may have been terminated from the franchise system and is no longer an outlet hence the person is no longer a franchisee.
It is also common that the company name they use on the UFOC document may not be their actual name and it could be difficult to contact them or find out exactly who they are. It is a major issue keeping the outlet pages and phone numbers organized in the UFOC document as they change and sometimes are being built before a phone number has been established. Also, people who have unlisted numbers have the option to have their numbers kept unlisted for privacy reasons. Most franchisees do not disclose this information in the UFOC document because of the many requests from potential franchisees, which can disrupt running the business and an individual's family life. Some legitimate franchise buyers waste the time of franchisees by calling them up and asking them a multitude of questions throughout the day and night. The dilemma is more sophisticated franchise buyers demand such information from the UFOC document so they can get accurate information from current franchisees prior to making a purchase decision for a franchise business.
Many franchisees desire that no phone numbers or addresses be listed in the UFOC document. Their reason for this is they view the document as one used by lawyers, competitors, and those wishing to hurt the franchisor. Most current franchisees would like to have a potential franchise buyer submit any request in writing the nearest location of a franchise once qualified.
I'm going to suggest a list of topics to be considered here and then leave it up to your good intelligence to fill in the blanks and distribute as necessary to those who need this information the most.
Use caution when you distribute this information. Make sure the recipient of the file knows that it contains personal and confidential data. Consider providing a copy for your ex, his parents, your parents, your children's school and your children's child care provider. Omit information not needed by the one you give it to - social security number, for example. Because of the incidence of Identity Theft, exercise caution. Mark the file as Confidential Information.
Activities - scouts, little league, dance classes etc.
Transportation
Dating Considerations
Extended/blended family Authorization for medical treatment form
Communication between divorced parents can be very challenging. If it's at all possible, and to avoid confrontation, make an effort to communicate in writing. If you create the above form, it should help smooth out a lot of bumps. By using specific fields above versus writing large paragraphs of data, you can avoid miscommunicating.
Be courteous when you communicate with your ex. Keep it factual. You owe it to your kids to communicate with as much harmony as you can muster with their other parent.
Request that all school notices be mailed to each parent. You both need this information. You both need to read it and make yourself aware of what is going on with your child, particularly if you share custody across the school week.
If communicating the Parenting Plan to your ex sets off skyrockets, wait until later to share the emotions that got triggered. Use a friend's shoulder, or address it with your ex at a time other than when you need to communicate important facts about the children. Use common sense; be mature and save the emotional communicating for another time.
Another practical tip: don't count on your children to carry this information to your ex for you. Be a big girl/boy and do it yourself. It's a burden for your children and they don't need that from you. Communicate this parenting plan when those little ears cannot hear you so as not to bruise their souls.
Both Grojan Fabiola & Len Stauffenger are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Len Stauffenger has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bathroom Home Improvement, After Divorce and Health. In his book "Getting Over It: Wisdom for Divorced Parents," Len Stauffenger shares his simple wisdom gleaned from his divorce with his daughters and with you. Len is a Success Coach and an Attorney. You can purchase Len's book and it's accompanying workbo. Len Stauffenger's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.