What is a 'Top Down Account' in the context of City Wide's National Business Development Program?
City_Wide Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
CITY WIDE has established a program focused on attracting and servicing clients that have a regional or national presence ("National Business Development Program"). While CITY WIDE has the right to establish and maintain such a program, it has no obligation to do so; CITY WIDE reserves the right to modify or discontinue the National Business Development Business Program at any time upon written notice to you. (See Section 3.6 of the Franchise Agreement). The details of the National Business Development Program are included in the Operating Manual and other written communications from CITY WIDE.
Notably, there are two aspects of the National Business Development Program. CITY WIDE may establish various national accounts ("National Accounts") to be serviced by multiple franchisees in different Designated Territories, but not necessarily in all Designated Territories. CITY WIDE has established national accounts with national companies with locations all over the United States with whom CITY WIDE typically negotiates one contract for each personal account ("National Account Contract") for the provision of facility maintenance services for all of the national account's locations ("Top Down Account"). CITY WIDE also might be designated a preferred vendor by a regional or national account ("Preferred Vendor Account").
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 24–28)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Wide's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a 'Top Down Account' is a specific type of National Account within City Wide's National Business Development Program. These accounts are established with national companies that have multiple locations across the United States.
City Wide negotiates a single contract, known as a 'National Account Contract,' with the national company to provide facility maintenance services for all of its locations. This means that instead of individual franchisees securing contracts with each location separately, City Wide corporate secures a comprehensive agreement that covers all of the national account's facilities.
For a prospective franchisee, this implies that some client acquisition is handled at the corporate level, potentially providing a stream of business that the franchisee would not have to directly solicit. However, it also means that franchisees must be prepared to service clients with multiple locations and adhere to the terms negotiated in the National Account Contract. City Wide also might designate a preferred vendor by a regional or national account ('Preferred Vendor Account').
It's important to note that City Wide has the right to modify or discontinue the National Business Development Program at any time with written notice to franchisees, so the availability and structure of these National Accounts, including Top Down Accounts, may change over time. Franchisees should inquire about the current status and details of the National Business Development Program during their due diligence.