When must a City Wide franchisee establish their office at a location within their Designated Territory?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must establish your office for the Franchised Business ("Office") at a location ("Location") within your Designated Territory prior to the commencement of any business or promotional activities. You may not change the Location without CITY WIDE's approval. You must give CITY WIDE at least 30 days' prior written notice of any such change and CITY WIDE shall have 30 days within which to approve such Location and the proposed decor and signage. If CITY WIDE does not approve of such Location, decor or signage within such 30-day period, your request shall be deemed disapproved.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 36–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must establish their office within their designated territory before starting any business or promotional activities. This requirement ensures that the franchisee has a physical presence in the territory they are assigned to serve. The franchisee cannot change the office location without City Wide's approval, and City Wide requires at least 30 days' prior written notice before any such change. City Wide then has 30 days to approve the new location, decor, and signage. If City Wide does not approve within this period, the request is considered disapproved.
This requirement is fairly standard in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain quality control and brand consistency. By requiring franchisees to operate from an approved location within their territory, City Wide can ensure that the office space meets certain standards and reflects the brand image. The 30-day approval period allows City Wide to review the proposed location and ensure it is suitable for the business.
For a prospective franchisee, this means they need to factor in the time and cost of securing an appropriate office space within their designated territory before they can begin operations. They should also be aware that any changes to the office location will require City Wide's approval, which could potentially delay their business activities. It is important to find a location that meets City Wide's requirements and to communicate effectively with the franchisor throughout the process to avoid any delays or complications.