What additional fees might a Cicis franchisee have to pay during the start-up phase?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
to this Disclosure Document
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- This includes $2,500 of training fee you may be required to pay us (See Item 5).
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- This includes the costs of legal fees and architectural and/or engineering plans as well as the costs of prepaid rent, a lease deposit, utility deposits, and up to $4,000 in expense reimbursement to us for lease review (See Item 5). The prepaid rent and the lease deposit are estimated to be one month of rent charges.
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- In addition to the initial franchise fee and other initial costs, you will need additional funds to operate your Location during the start-up phase of the business. These funds will be used, among other things, to train your crew, compensate for higher than normal food and labor costs during the start-up phase, and provide general working capital.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT FOR A CICIS BUFFET RESTAURANT (FDD pages 21–25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may encounter several additional fees during the start-up phase. These include a training fee of $2,500, which may be required, and expense reimbursement to Cicis for lease review up to $4,000. Furthermore, franchisees must budget for expenses related to training their crew and covering higher-than-normal food and labor costs during the initial three months of operation.
Beyond these specific fees, Cicis franchisees should also anticipate royalty fees, advertising costs, and other related fees as detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. The document emphasizes that these figures are estimates and that franchisees may incur additional, unforeseen expenses. It is crucial for prospective franchisees to conduct thorough market research to accurately estimate these costs and ensure they have sufficient cash reserves.
Prospective Cicis franchisees should also consider the impact fees, which can range from $0 to $20,000 for a Cicis Buffet Restaurant, depending on the location and local regulations. These fees are determined by local jurisdictions based on the expected impact of the restaurant on local infrastructure, such as traffic, water, and sewer systems. For a Cicis To Go Restaurant, impact fees are lower, potentially around $5,000. These fees, along with expenses for business licenses estimated between $1,000 and $4,000, contribute to the overall financial demands during the start-up period.