Frank Oddo: A Founder’s Story
One of the distinct benefits of joining the City Wide Franchise system is the opportunity to work alongside experienced men and women with decades of business ownership, leadership, and community experience. At the core of City Wide’s mission are its values, which influence everything from internal communication to policies and programs. Founder Frank Oddo, whose impact can still be felt throughout daily operations, set these in place.
Born and raised in the Kansas City area, Frank attended college at the University of Missouri and served as an officer in the Air Force. After marrying his wife, Beth, in 1961, the pair started City Wide Maintenance Company, a janitorial service company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Frank sold accounts and Beth ran the office – their first sale was a $40.00 strip and wax job. Their first full-week janitorial service account was Metropolitan Life, for $200 a week.
Over the course of the next 30-plus years, Frank’s excellent salesmanship and business acumen helped build City Wide Maintenance into one of the most professional janitorial provider in the Midwest with more than 500 in-house employees.
In 1999, under the leadership of Frank’s son and current CEO, Jeff Oddo, City Wide reconfigured the business model from a traditional janitorial business to a management company. The change allowed City Wide to expand its range of services while reducing overhead labor costs. These changes stimulated rapid growth, which ultimately led City Wide to franchise its model in 2001.
Today, Frank is still very active in driving the growth and success of City Wide Franchise. He serves as a guiding force for the City Wide family of growing franchisees and continues to serves as a mentor and a friend to his son, Jeff.
To learn more about the franchising opportunities available with City Wide, please visit www.citywidefranchise.com.
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