Does City Wide have the right to provide additional training at the franchisee's expense?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
for the training of additional managers and staff in addition to the initial three required Franchisee training. CITY WIDE may provide such additional training, including training for substitute trainees under Section 7.14 of this Agreement, at Franchisee's expense. CITY WIDE will conduct such training programs at locations CITY WIDE may designate, (including remotely) and Franchisee must pay all travel, lodging, and other expenses incurred by the trainees in attending such initial and subsequent training programs.
(i) At all times Franchisee must employ trained individuals. If Franchisee designates new or additional managers, outside sales persons or qualitycontrol persons who have not completed an initial training program, CITY WIDE will require and provide training to such persons to the extent that CITY WIDE can reasonably 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. CITY WIDE will be under no obligation to provide individual training to Franchisee's managers, outside sales persons, or quality-control persons, but if such training is provided, it shall be Franchisee's responsibility to pay the lesser of Three Hundred Dollars ($300) per day per person for such training, in addition to the expenses incurred by Franchisee's trainees to attend such training.
(iv) CITY WIDE from time to time may provide and may require that previously trained and experienced franchisees, their managers and/or designated employees attend and successfully complete refresher training programs or seminars to be conducted at CITY WIDE's home office, or at such location CITY WIDE has designated. Franchisee will be solely responsible for the expenses attendant to such refresher training programs or seminars; provided, however, that attendance will not be required at more than two (2) such programs in any calendar year and will not collectively exceed four (4) calendar days in duration during any calendar year."
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisee's failure to comply with this requirement shall constitute a material default of this Agreement for which CITY WIDE may terminate this Agreement or: (a) reduce Franchisee's Designated Territory size; (b) reduce the number of field visits that CITY WIDE provides to Franchisee during the Agreement; (c) require Franchisee to attend additional training at Franchisee's expense; (d) prohibit Franchisee from attending any annual conference, convention, or training session that CITY WIDE may periodically conduct; (e) deem Franchisee ineligible for any awards bestowed upon franchisees by CITY WIDE and (f) reduce or eliminate the level of support and services CITY WIDE provides to Franchisee.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, City Wide may require franchisees to attend additional training programs or seminars, with the franchisee responsible for the associated expenses. City Wide may also provide additional training for managers and staff beyond the initial training, also at the franchisee's expense. Furthermore, if a franchisee fails to meet minimum staffing requirements, City Wide can require the franchisee to attend additional training at their own expense.
For refresher training programs or seminars, City Wide may require previously trained franchisees, their managers, or designated employees to attend. The franchisee is responsible for all expenses related to these programs, but attendance is limited to a maximum of two programs per calendar year, not exceeding four calendar days in total. In cases where new managers, outside salespersons, or quality-control persons are designated after the initial training, City Wide will provide training if they can accommodate them in their regularly scheduled courses. While this training is provided at no cost by City Wide, the franchisee must cover all expenses incurred by their trainees to attend.
City Wide is not obligated to provide individual training to the franchisee's managers, outside salespersons, or quality-control personnel. However, if such training is provided, the franchisee must pay $300 per day per person, in addition to the trainee's expenses. Additionally, if a franchisee fails to comply with City Wide's minimum staffing requirements, City Wide can enforce compliance by requiring the franchisee to attend additional training at the franchisee's expense.
If City Wide determines that a franchisee, their salespersons, or designees cannot satisfactorily complete the initial training program, City Wide has the right to terminate the agreement. In such cases, City Wide will return the initial franchise fee, minus training and other expenses incurred, up to a maximum of $10,000. This provision highlights the importance of adequate training and the potential financial consequences of failing to meet City Wide's standards.