Is City Wide obligated to provide assistance in opening the Franchised Business?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (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.
SECTION 4. Duties and Covenants of Franchisor And Training
CITY WIDE agrees to provide Franchisee with the services set forth below. Franchisee and CITY WIDE agree that CITY WIDE may contract or arrange with third parties, including a Representative (as hereinafter defined) appointed by CITY WIDE under Section 16 of this Agreement, to provide some or all services if those services are of the promised quantity and quality.
4.1 Initial Training. Initial training is required for all new CITY WIDE franchisees, including new franchisees entering the CITY WIDE system through a transfer of a Franchised Business. CITY WIDE will provide mandatory initial training programs for three people: (1) Franchisee (or if Franchisee is not a natural person, for one (1) shareholder, partner, or officer of Franchisee as designated by Franchisee and approved by CITY WIDE) and two (2) other people of the Franchised Business in the Designated Territory. CITY WIDE may elect not to provide such initial training if CITY WIDE determines, at its sole and absolute right, that such training is not required. Training will not begin until Franchisee has obtained financing or shown sufficient assets to satisfy CITY WIDE of Franchisee's ability to meet its financial obligations under the Agreement, and Franchisee has started the online City Wide YOU training program. Before or at the commencement of the initial training program, CITY WIDE will procure and configure laptop hardware for Franchisee and its employees, for use in the operation and management of your Franchised Business (such Software and hardware collectively, "Technology System").
- 4.2 On-Site Assistance and Supervision.
CITY WIDE will from time to time provide on-site assistance and supervision, to the extent that CITY WIDE, at its sole and absolute right, deems advisable.
Concerning the initial on-site opening assistance and supervision provided by CITY WIDE, CITY WIDE will be responsible for the travel and other living expenses for each representative provided by CITY WIDE.
CITY WIDE will provide other assistance and supervision at the sole and absolute right of CITY WIDE.
In the event Franchisee requests additional on-site assistance or supervision CITY WIDE may charge Franchisee a fee, as outlined in the Operating Manual.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Wide retains the sole and absolute right to determine the level of assistance it provides to a new franchisee in connection with opening their Franchised Business. This assistance can include help with hiring personnel and developing pre-opening and promotional programs. During this period, City Wide's representative will also assist the franchisee in establishing and standardizing procedures and techniques essential to the operation of a Franchised Business and will assist in training the franchisee's personnel.
However, if the franchisee requests additional assistance to facilitate the opening, City Wide may provide it if deemed necessary and appropriate, but the franchisee will be responsible for reimbursing City Wide for the expenses incurred in providing such additional support. This discretionary approach to assistance is common in franchising, where franchisors balance the need to support new franchisees with the costs involved.
City Wide also provides mandatory initial training programs for three people: the franchisee (or a designated representative if the franchisee is not a natural person) and two other people of the Franchised Business in the Designated Territory. City Wide may elect not to provide such initial training if City Wide determines, at its sole and absolute right, that such training is not required. This training will not begin until the franchisee has obtained financing or shown sufficient assets and has started the online City Wide YOU training program. Before or at the commencement of the initial training program, City Wide will procure and configure laptop hardware for Franchisee and its employees, for use in the operation and management of your Franchised Business.
In addition, City Wide will from time to time provide on-site assistance and supervision, to the extent that City Wide, at its sole and absolute right, deems advisable. Concerning the initial on-site opening assistance and supervision provided by City Wide, City Wide will be responsible for the travel and other living expenses for each representative provided by City Wide. If the franchisee requests additional on-site assistance or supervision, City Wide may charge a fee, as outlined in the Operating Manual.