# QSR Field Guide
> How to read a franchise disclosure, one Item at a time, with every brand in the set side by side.

## Pages

- [A field guide to restaurant franchises](https://qsrfieldguide.com/index.md): How to read an FDD, what Item 19 means, why ongoing fees and square footage matter more than a slogan.
- [How to read an FDD](https://qsrfieldguide.com/how-to-read-an-fdd.md): Item 5 is the fee. Item 6 is forever. Item 7 is the check to open. Item 19 is whether they show unit numbers. Item 20 is openings and closings.
- [Item 19](https://qsrfieldguide.com/item-19.md): Which brands publish unit-level results, which publish one store, and which publish nothing at all. A financial performance representation is optional.
- [Ongoing fees](https://qsrfieldguide.com/ongoing-fees.md): Read Item 6 by payment base, timing and adjustment rights. Royalties, advertising, technology and transaction fees do not always combine into one percentage.
- [What it costs to open](https://qsrfieldguide.com/what-it-costs.md): Connect Items 5, 6 and 7 before turning an initial-investment range into a capital plan.
- [Term and territory](https://qsrfieldguide.com/term-and-territory.md): Read Item 12's protected-area language beside Item 17's renewal, relocation, transfer and exit terms.
- [System size](https://qsrfieldguide.com/system-size.md): Item 20 is a three-year movement schedule, not just an ending outlet count.
- [Training](https://qsrfieldguide.com/training.md): Compare Item 11 by subject, hours, attendees, location, cost and the work required after opening.
- [QSR vs fast casual](https://qsrfieldguide.com/qsr-vs-fast-casual.md): Service labels are spectra. Read format, channels, footprint, equipment and staffing in the FDD instead of relying on a category name.
- [Footprint and labor questions](https://qsrfieldguide.com/footprint-and-labor-questions.md): Read square footage, format, order channels and shift roles together before turning a filing assumption into rent or staffing.
- [Red flags in franchise marketing](https://qsrfieldguide.com/red-flags-in-franchise-marketing.md): Uncapped fee increases, empty Item 19, performance claims with no FDD, paused offerings sold as live, 1,400 sq ft called street food.
- [Emerging food categories](https://qsrfieldguide.com/emerging-food-categories.md): A category can be real and still have the wrong box. German döner in the US is scarce. That does not excuse a 1,400 sq ft FDD.
- [FAQ](https://qsrfieldguide.com/faq.md): Short answers on FDDs, Item 19, fees, and footprint.
- [About](https://qsrfieldguide.com/about.md): QSR Field Guide is a franchise-literacy manual for restaurant FDDs.
- [Privacy](https://qsrfieldguide.com/privacy.md): Static field guide. No accounts.