What are 'Approved Suppliers' according to City Wide?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
IDE guidelines, subject to CITY WIDE approval (See ITEM 12).
Specifications and Standards
To maintain the high standards of the quality assurance program and ensure compliance with products specifications, we encourage you to purchase, lease, or license any inventory, products, fixtures, furniture, equipment, signs, stationery, supplies, and other items or services necessary to operate the Franchised Business ("Approved Supplies") from manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors previously approved in writing by CITY WIDE ("Approved Suppliers"). All items must conform to current CITY WIDE standards. You must comply with CITY WIDE specifications for brands and types of equipment used in operation of the Franchised Business. From time to time, CITY WIDE will provide you with a list of Approved Suppliers authorized for the Franchised Business ("Approved Suppliers List") and a list of Approved Supplies ("Approved Supplies List").
From time to time as set forth in the Operating Manual, CITY WIDE may designate suppliers on the Approved Suppliers List as required suppliers ("Required Suppliers") from whom you must purchase inventory, products, services or other items and services. Currently, on the list of Required Suppliers is ADP Payroll Services. You may not use payroll services from any other provider. We, or our affiliate, is a Required Supplier for each of your Technology Systems (defined below) and for the IT Services (defined below).
The suggested or mandatory specifications, product lines, standards, operating procedures, and rules required for Locations may also appear in the Operating Manual. CITY WIDE may periodically modify the Operating Manual to reflect changes in the specifications, product lines, standards, operating procedures, and rules. Similarly, CITY WIDE may revise the Approved Suppliers List and Approved Supplies List from time to time in at sole and absolute right. Any changes to or modifications of the System, the Operating Manual, the Approved Suppliers List, Approved Supplies List, or any standard will be promptly communicated to all Franchisees.
We encourage you to use in the operation of your Franchised Business only those providers and products which are approved by CITY WIDE and listed on the Approved Suppliers List, Approved Supplies List, or in the Operating Manual. CITY WIDE will be the sole approved supplier of various financial accounting, processing and reporting services, and other financial services, which you are required to use for the first twelve months after you have completed the initial training program.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 24–28)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Approved Suppliers are manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors that City Wide has previously approved in writing, from whom franchisees are encouraged to purchase, lease, or license the inventory, products, fixtures, furniture, equipment, signs, stationery, supplies, and other items or services necessary to operate their franchised business. These "Approved Supplies" must conform to City Wide's current standards. City Wide will provide franchisees with a list of these Approved Suppliers, known as the "Approved Suppliers List," and a list of Approved Supplies.
City Wide may also designate some suppliers on the Approved Suppliers List as "Required Suppliers," from whom franchisees must purchase specific inventory, products, services, or other items and services. Currently, ADP Payroll Services is a Required Supplier, and franchisees may not use payroll services from any other provider. City Wide or its affiliate is also a Required Supplier for each franchisee's Technology Systems and IT Services.
If a franchisee wants to use equipment or a product brand not currently approved by City Wide, or purchase from a supplier not on the Approved Suppliers List, they must notify City Wide and submit samples or information for examination and testing. City Wide may charge a fee not exceeding $250, plus the actual cost of any test, for this evaluation. City Wide will then notify the franchisee within 45 business days whether the proposed supply or supplier is approved. City Wide does not consider franchise owners or their affiliates to become Approved Suppliers.
City Wide applies general criteria in designating a proposed supplier as an Approved Supplier, including the ability to meet City Wide's quality specifications, production and delivery capability, adherence to City Wide's standards, and the integrity of the supplier. City Wide reserves the right to re-inspect the facilities and products of any supplier and revoke approval if the supplier fails to meet City Wide's criteria.