The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a legal document that franchisors are required to provide to prospective franchisees in the United States before they sign a franchise agreement or make any payment. The FDD contains detailed information about the franchise, including the franchisor's business experience, litigation history, and financial performance. It also includes information about the franchisee's obligations, such as the initial and ongoing fees, as well as the rights of both the franchisor and franchisee.

The FDD is divided into 23 items, or “disclosures”, that cover various aspects of the franchise opportunity, including:

1. The franchise offering and its terms
2. The franchisor, its parent company and any predecessors
3. Litigation history
4. Initial fees, ongoing royalties and other payments
5. Restrictions on what the franchisee can sell or where they can sell it
6. Franchisee's obligations
7. Financing offered by the franchisor
8. Trademarks, patents, copyrights and proprietary information
9. Obligations and restrictions on the franchisee's sources of goods and services
10. Training and assistance provided by the franchisor
11. Advertising fund, if any
12. Territory
13. Trademarks
14. Patents, copyrights and proprietary information
15. Obligations and restrictions on the franchisee's sources of goods and services
16. Financial performance representation
17. Earnings claim
18. List of current franchisees
19. Financial statements
20. Contracts
21. Receipts
22. Earnings claim
23. List of outlets and franchisees

It's important to note that the FDD is a legal document and it's important for the prospective franchisee to review the document carefully and understand the terms and obligations before signing the agreement. It's also recommended to consult with an attorney, accountant or franchise consultant to help understand the FDD and the franchise opportunity.