# FDD Item 11 timing extraction codebook (how-long-to-open-a-franchise, 2026-10-08)

You read one digest per brand: cover page; Item 11 TIMING passages (the "typical length of time" disclosure
that 16 CFR 436.5(k)(2) requires, plus any opening deadline stated there); Item 11 SITE passages; the Item 11
TRAINING PROGRAM table; training timing passages; and OPENING DEADLINE passages found elsewhere in the FDD
(mostly the attached franchise agreement). Record ONLY what the document says. If a section is missing, cut
off or ambiguous, search the full text `SCRATCH/fdd/txt/{doc_id}.txt` (grep -n -i "typical", "open", "within",
"TRAINING PROGRAM", "Total", "extension") before giving up. Never guess. Use null when the document does not
state the value. Numbers are plain numbers (90 not "ninety (90)"; 4.5 is fine).

Unit = the STANDARD single-unit franchise that the FDD presents first (e.g. traditional storefront, not
express/kiosk/non-traditional/conversion). Ignore area development, multi-unit and master agreements. If
the FDD gives separate times for several formats, record the standard one and put the others in
`alt_formats_note`.

## Fields (one JSON object per brand; keys exactly as below)

Identity
- file_number, doc_id, brand (copy from the digest header)

Typical time to open (Item 11, 16 CFR 436.5(k)(2))
- typical_stated: "yes" if the FDD states a typical length of time (or a typical/expected/estimated time)
  from signing or payment to opening; "no" if it does not.
- typical_text: the sentence that states it, copied verbatim, max 60 words (null if none)
- typical_low, typical_high: numbers in the disclosed unit.
  - range "4 to 9 months" -> 4 and 9
  - single value "approximately 90 days" -> 90 and 90
  - "up to / within / no more than / less than X" -> low null, high X
  - "at least / more than X" -> low X, high null
  - mixed units "60 days to 6 months" -> convert BOTH to the larger unit is NOT allowed; instead record
    typical_unit "days" with 60 and 183 (months x 30.44, round to whole days) and say so in notes
- typical_unit: days | weeks | months | years
- typical_form: range | point | upper_bound | lower_bound
- typical_basis: what the clock starts from, as worded: signing (signing the franchise agreement),
  payment (first payment / paying the fee), earlier_of (earlier of signing or first payment), site
  (site approval, lease signing or securing premises), training (completion of training), other, not_stated
- alt_formats_note: other formats' typical times if given (short), else null

Opening deadline (the date by which the franchisee MUST open)
- deadline_stated: "yes" if the FDD or franchise agreement sets a time limit to open; "no" if none is found
  after grepping; "designated" if the only rule is that the franchisee must open by a date the franchisor
  sets / a date in a schedule or data sheet with no number stated.
- deadline_value, deadline_unit (days | weeks | months | years): the standard deadline number
- deadline_basis: signing | payment | site (site approval / lease execution / possession) | training | other
- deadline_text: the sentence, verbatim, max 50 words
- deadline_where: item11 | agreement | item1 | item17 | other (where you found it; prefer Item 11 text,
  else the franchise agreement section)
- extension_mentioned: "yes" if the document says the deadline can be extended (any wording, including
  "unless we agree otherwise in writing", "we may extend", "extension fee"), "no" otherwise
- extension_type: discretionary (franchisor may grant / agree in writing) | fee (an extension fee is stated)
  | automatic (extension is a right on stated conditions, e.g. force majeure only counts as "force_majeure")
  | force_majeure (only delays beyond your control) | null
- extension_fee: the dollar amount of an extension fee if stated (per extension or per month: say which in
  notes), else null
- extension_max_value, extension_max_unit: maximum length of any extension if stated, else null
- failure_to_open_consequence: terminate (franchisor may terminate) | fee (a fee or penalty only) | other
  | not_stated

Site (Item 11 (k)(1)(i))
- site_selected_by: franchisee (franchisee selects, franchisor approves) | franchisor (franchisor selects or
  provides the site) | not_applicable (home-based, mobile, or no premises required)
- site_deadline_value, site_deadline_unit, site_deadline_basis: time the franchisee has to find/secure a
  site or sign a lease (e.g. "you must sign a lease within 6 months of signing" -> 6, months, signing)
- site_approval_days: time limit for the franchisor to approve or disapprove a proposed site, in days
  (convert weeks x 7; business days: record the number and note it); null if not stated

Training (Item 11 (k)(7))
- training_classroom_hours, training_ojt_hours: TOTALS of the TRAINING PROGRAM table for the initial
  program for the franchisee/owner (if a Total row exists, use it; else add up the rows yourself and say
  "summed" in notes). If the table states ranges, use the HIGH end and note it. If hours are given only
  in days/weeks, null and use training_length_text.
- training_total_hours: classroom + on-the-job (null if neither known)
- training_length_text: duration as described in words if given ("two weeks", "5 days"), else null
- training_before_open: "yes" if initial training must be completed before opening, "no" if it can be
  completed after, null if not stated
- training_timing_text: when training must be completed, short as worded (e.g. "at least 30 days before
  opening"; "within 60 days after signing"), else null
- training_virtual: "yes" if any part of the initial program is online, virtual, video or webinar, "no" if
  all in person, null if unclear

Delay factors listed in the typical-time paragraph
- factors: list of codes the paragraph names as affecting the time to open. Codes: site (finding/selecting
  a site), lease, financing, permits (building/sign/occupancy permits), zoning (zoning, local ordinances,
  land use), construction (build-out, remodeling, construction, contractors), weather, equipment (equipment,
  fixtures, delivery, installation), signs, inventory (supplies, inventory, shortages), training, licensing
  (business/professional/state licenses, health department), hiring (staffing), vehicle, other.

Meta
- confidence: high | medium | low
- notes: anything a checker should know (format chosen, unit conversions, where a value was found)