What is the exception to City Wide's right to modify the Operating Manual?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
CITY WIDE will have the right to add to and otherwise modify the Operating Manual periodically to reflect changes in the specifications, standards, operating procedures, and rules required by CITY WIDE for Franchised Businesses, provided no addition or modification will change your fundamental status and rights under the
Franchise Agreement or require you to spend unreasonable additional capital investment. (See Section 8 of the Franchise Agreement)
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 29–36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Wide has the right to modify the Operating Manual periodically. However, there are limitations to this right.
Specifically, City Wide cannot make any changes or additions that would alter a franchisee's fundamental status and rights under the Franchise Agreement. This means that City Wide cannot unilaterally change the core terms of the agreement to the detriment of the franchisee.
Additionally, City Wide cannot implement modifications that would require a franchisee to make unreasonable additional capital investments. This protects franchisees from being forced to spend significant sums of money on upgrades or changes that were not anticipated when they entered into the franchise agreement. This provision aims to strike a balance between City Wide's need to update its system and the franchisee's need for financial predictability and stability.