Jason Cooper of Des Moines, Iowa, became a City Wide Facility Solutions franchisee in November 2022. Cooper had been looking into buying an existing service-based business when he came across an online video about franchising. By Patty Horansky
Rick Cobden has been with City Wide Facility Solutions for nearly two decades as the company’s 11th franchise owner. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Cobden opened City Wide South Carolina in Greenville in 2009, the smallest market at the time. Over the first year and a half, he worked to get the location off the ground and finally found the secret to success after attending a City Wide franchisee conference. Since then, he has gone on to open three more locations across the country, with the most recent opening in Chicago this year. By Shelby Green
Adria Hartwig, franchise development director at City Wide Facility Solutions, has noticed a shift in the motivation behind franchise ownership: Parents are more dedicated to helping their children find quality long-term employment. By Erika Ortega
With a support center composed of experts in business growth, office location selection, staffing requirements and marketing, City Wide Facility Solutions prides itself on providing a streamlined experience for new and existing franchise owners. By Erika Ortega
City Wide Facility Solutions provides one point of contact for more than 20 facility services for commercial buildings throughout North America. The company boasts over 100 franchisees who operate as general managers to independent contractors. These contractors are vetted and insured, and they cover everything from floor care and window cleaning to heating and pest control. By Patty Horansky
CHARLESTON, S.C. — City Wide Facility Solutions, the nation’s leading commercial facility management company, raised more than $580,000 for GiGi’s Playhouse at its annual franchise convention in Charleston.
City Wide’s mission is to create a Ripple Effect by positively impacting the people and communities it supports. Franchisees from more than 100 City Wide franchise locations came together to support the organization, which was selected by City Wide Facility Solutions of Charleston, as part of their ongoing partnership and support of the nonprofit.
“GiGi’s plays an important role in supporting the entire Down Syndrome community. They provide vital resources for children, adults, and families impacted by Down Syndrome,” said Rick Cobden, owner of City Wide Facility Solutions of Charleston. “I firmly believe in supporting the local Charleston community and the money raised will have a big impact on helping GiGi’s open their Charleston location, which will be their first in South Carolina.”
GiGi’s mission is to change the way the world views Down Syndrome and to see a world where individuals with Down Syndrome are accepted and embraced in their families, schools, and communities. GiGi’s delivers on this mission through the delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based, and career development programs
“One of the most awe-inspiring moments received from franchise owners and the City Wide network was their enthusiasm and love for our non-profit made it clear that City Wide has an internal culture that every organization needs to replicate,” said Nancy Gianni, founder of GiGi’s Playhouse. “The money they raised will go a long way in helping us open our first location in South Carolina and will have a tremendous impact on supporting our kids in Charleston, and throughout the country. I am honestly so inspired to know corporations like City Wide exist.”
City Wide has made a name for itself in major U.S. cities and Canada by streamlining facility solutions for more than 20 interior and exterior services for commercial facilities including janitorial, disinfecting, handyman services and parking lot maintenance. Taking the onus from building owners and property management businesses that typically choose separate companies for each task, City Wide eases the selection and management processes for its clients.
For more information on GiGi’s Playhouse and how you can support this organization, please visit https://gigisplayhouse.org/.
About City Wide
Founded in 1961, City Wide has a proven reputation for being the go-to resource for commercial facility solutions in its home Kansas City market and 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada. By uniquely representing the client, professional management teams serve as a single-source solution by managing dozens of interior and exterior services through independent contractors. City Wide simplifies the janitorial, disinfecting and maintenance issues most critical to building owners, operators and management companies, saving them time, solving their problems and reducing stress typically associated with facility management.
For more information about City Wide Facility Solutions or to find a location near you, please visit www.gocitywide.com.
City Wide Facility Solutions will be holding its annual convention on March 3 in Charleston, South Carolina, where many enriching business and team-building events are slated to commence. During the convention, the company also will make it a priority to integrate its ethos of spreading a ripple in the communities in which it operates. By Kelsi Trinidad
John Duffy and Steve Howerton build $35M business while giving back to local community
LENEXA, Kan. — The International Franchise Association (IFA) named John Duffy and Steve Howerton, owners of City Wide Facility Solutions in Tampa Bay and Miami, as a Franchisee of the Year. Duffy and Howerton were honored at the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.
“We could not be happier for John and Steve for being recognized with this prestigious award and are incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished with City Wide,” said Jeff Oddo, CEO of City Wide. “John and Steve exemplify what business ownership and leadership should look like. Their dedication to growing their business, foster a positive culture, and spreading a positive ripple in their local community is the blueprint of successful entrepreneurship.”
John and Steve opened their City Wide location in 2010 and have grown their business to more than $30 million in sales. As the largest management company in the facilities maintenance industry, City Wide partners with independent contractors, allowing local small businesses to share in the growth of City Wide. In 2018, Duffy and Howerton expanded their business and opened a second location in Miami.
Key to the duo’s success has been the relationships they’ve built within their community, and giving spreading a positive ripple by giving back. At City Wide’s annual convention, which was hosted in Tampa Bay, Duffy and Howerton raised nearly $650,000 for Tampa-based nonprofit Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT).
“Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about – providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “We are proud to recognize John and Steve with the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and I have no doubt their work is changing lives and making a lasting community impact.”
About City Wide Facility Solutions:
Founded in 1961, City Wide has a proven reputation for being the go-to resource for commercial facility solutions in its home Kansas City market and nearly 95 locations across the U.S. and Canada. By uniquely representing the client, professional management teams serve as a single-source solution by managing dozens of interior and exterior services through independent contractors. City Wide simplifies the janitorial, disinfecting and maintenance issues most critical to building owners, operators and management companies, saving them time, solving their problems and reducing stress typically associated with facility management.
For more information about City Wide Facility Solutions or to find a location near you, please visit www.gocitywide.com.
City Wide Facility Solutions was born 63 years ago when Frank Oddo ran into a problem while working in his father’s convenience store. He was constantly struggling to find reliable cleaners for the store in the evenings and, in 1961, Oddo opened City Wide Maintenance. By Kelsi Trinidad
Under Ellis’ Leadership, Kansas City and partner locations have seen revenue grow to $80M
LENEXA, Kan. — City Wide Facility Solutions of Kansas City, Kansas’ leading management company in the building maintenance industry, announced the promotion of Rob Ellis to President as it aims to become a $125M company by the end of 2026.
“I originally joined City Wide in a support role and have been blessed to be able to lead and grow alongside an organization whose Mission and Vision are closely aligned to my values,” said Ellis. “Even after 22 years of being at City Wide, we’ve just begun to scratch the surface of our potential to grow and impact the Kansas City community, which is an inspiring endeavor for me.”
Ellis joined City Wide of Kansas City in 2001 as a Facility Solutions Manager, an operations role managing client accounts, and worked his way up through the organization to become Chief Operations Officer before his promotion to President. During his tenure, the Kansas City and partner locations have grown from $22 million to $80 million in revenue. Additionally, Ellis and his teams manage facility services for 50 million square feet on a nightly basis.
“Rob joined City Wide right before we began to franchise and when he moved into a leadership role, he was able to help grow the Kansas City location so we could use that as a model for our franchise locations,” said Jeff Oddo, CEO and owner of City Wide Franchise. “Since then, we’ve grown organically as well as through acquisitions. Throughout, Rob continues to play a key role in helping guide our teams and build positive relationships with our independent contractors and clients.”
City Wide has made a name for itself in major U.S. cities and Canada by streamlining facility solutions for more than 20 interior and exterior services for commercial facilities including janitorial, disinfecting, handyman services and parking lot maintenance. Taking the onus from building owners and property management businesses that typically have to choose separate companies for each task, City Wide eases the selection and management processes for its clients.
About City Wide
Founded in 1961, City Wide has a proven reputation for being the go-to resource for commercial facility solutions in its home Kansas City market and nearly 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada. By uniquely representing the client, professional management teams serve as a single-source solution by managing dozens of interior and exterior services through independent contractors. City Wide simplifies the janitorial, disinfecting and maintenance issues most critical to building owners, operators and management companies, saving them time, solving their problems and reducing stress typically associated with facility management.
For more information about City Wide Facility Solutions and the services it provides, visit KansasCity.GoCityWide.com.