Does City Wide directly control the hiring, firing, or scheduling of a franchisee's employees?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
but not limited to:
- 4.1.1 An understanding of CITY WIDE's conceptual plans outlined in the Operating
- 4.1.2 General knowledge with respect to promotion, advertising and marketing techniques.
- 4.1.3 Business operating procedures such as budgets and staffing.
- 4.1.4 General office and professional practice operations and procedures.
- 4.1.5 Implementation of the CITY WIDE System.
- 4.1.6 Use of essential software; and
- 4.1.7 Communication of standards.
- (a) CITY WIDE will provide such assistance at its sole and absolute right as CITY WIDE determines is required in connection with the opening of the Franchised Business, including assistance in hiring Franchisee's personnel and planning and developing of pre-opening and promotional programs. During this period, CITY WIDE's representative will also assist Franchisee in establishing and standardizing procedures and techniques essential to the operation of a Franchised Business and will assist in training Franchisee's personnel. If Franchisee requests additional assistance from CITY WIDE to facilitate the opening of the Franchised Business, and if CITY WIDE deems it necessary and appropriate, Franchisee will reimburse CITY WIDE for CITY WIDE's expense of providing such additional assistance.
- (b) If CITY WIDE at its sole and absolute right determines that Franchisee (as defined and designated under Section 25 of this Agreement), Franchisee's salespersons, or Franchisee's designees are unable to satisfactorily complete the initial training program described above, CITY WIDE will have the right to terminate this Agreement. If CITY WIDE terminates this Agreement under this paragraph, CITY WIDE will return to Franchisee the Initial Franchise Fee paid by Franchisee to CITY WIDE minus the training and other expenses CITY WIDE incurred, but such expenses will be no more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000). When CITY WIDE has returned this amount to Franchisee, Franchisee will fully and forever release CITY WIDE and its affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers and agents from any claims or causes of action Franchisee may have under this Agreement and Franchisee will have no further right, title or interest in the Marks, Software, or the System.
- (c) At all times Franchisee must employ trained individuals. If Franchisee designates new or additional managers, outside salespersons or quality-control persons after the initial
Manual.
training program, CITY WIDE will require and provide training to such persons to the extent that CITY WIDE can accommodate such managers in its regularly scheduled training course. CITY WIDE will provide such training at no cost; however, Franchisee will be responsible for all expenses Franchisee or Franchisee's trainees incur to attend such training.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for employing trained individuals. City Wide may provide assistance in hiring franchisee personnel during the opening of the franchised business, but the franchisee is ultimately responsible for these decisions.
City Wide offers training programs for managers, outside salespersons, and quality control personnel, and may require experienced franchisees, their managers, and designated employees to attend refresher training programs or seminars. Franchisees are responsible for the expenses associated with this training. However, City Wide states that any evaluations or inspections they conduct are not intended to control the franchisee's day-to-day operations or assume responsibility for the franchisee's obligations.
The FDD emphasizes that franchisees operate as independent contractors. Franchisees must comply with City Wide's minimum staffing requirements as outlined in the Operating Manual, and failure to do so can result in penalties such as a reduction in territory size, fewer field visits, required additional training at the franchisee's expense, prohibition from attending conferences, ineligibility for awards, or reduced support from City Wide. The franchisee is required to meet the minimum staffing levels as set forth in the Operating Manual.
While City Wide can provide assistance and training, the franchisee maintains control over employment decisions, including hiring, firing, and scheduling, within the framework of maintaining minimum staffing requirements. The franchisee is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the business and compliance with the franchise agreement.