What happens if a City Wide franchisee does not attend the annual convention?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
reasonable training fee.
CITY WIDE will also conduct initial on-site start-up assistance at your Location for a period not to exceed 10 working days.
CITY WIDE conducts an annual convention and may periodically conduct additional conferences or training sessions (collectively, "National Meetings") and, if CITY WIDE does, CITY WIDE will determine its duration, curriculum and location (which may be virtual). You must attend each annual convention. You will be responsible for any and all other expenses incurred in connection with any such meetings, including the costs of transportation, lodging, meals, and wages. If you do not attend the annual convention, you will be required to pay a $2,000 non-attendance fee. In some circumstances, such as being in default of the franchise agreement, you may not be permitted to attend a National Meeting. In such circumstances, you will not be required to pay the non-attendance fee. Whether a Franchisee may or may not be able attend a National Meeting is in the sole and absolute discretion of t
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, attendance at the annual convention is mandatory. If a franchisee fails to attend the annual convention, they will be required to pay a non-attendance fee of $2,000. This fee is intended to offset the costs City Wide incurs in organizing and hosting the event. However, City Wide retains the right to increase this fee based on factors such as the venue, level of attendance, speakers, and duration of the National Meeting.
There are exceptions to this policy. City Wide may not permit a franchisee to attend a National Meeting if the franchisee is in default of the franchise agreement. In such cases, the franchisee will not be required to pay the non-attendance fee. The decision to allow or disallow a franchisee's attendance at a National Meeting is at the sole discretion of City Wide.
This policy highlights the importance City Wide places on franchisee participation and engagement within the franchise system. The annual convention likely serves as a key opportunity for franchisees to network, receive updates on company strategies, and participate in training sessions. The non-attendance fee incentivizes franchisees to prioritize attendance, ensuring they remain connected and informed. Prospective franchisees should factor this potential cost into their financial planning and be aware of the circumstances under which they might be barred from attending.