Does the Cicis agreement grant any exclusivity with respect to the Designated Area?

According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement does not grant any exclusivity within the Designated Area. However, Cicis does grant a Protected Area.

While franchisees do not receive exclusive rights to the Designated Area, Cicis agrees not to establish or authorize another Cicis restaurant within the franchisee's Protected Area. This protection is subject to the franchisee's full compliance with the franchise agreement. However, this protection does not extend to Cicis To Go Restaurants, which Cicis can establish anywhere in the world, including within a franchisee's Protected Area.

Cicis retains significant rights within and outside the Protected Area. These rights include establishing Cicis restaurants outside the Protected Area (even adjacent to it), operating Cicis restaurants under other brand names, and offering similar products through different channels. Cicis also retains the right to establish Cicis Restaurants identified by the Marks in any Reserved Area, whether within or outside the Protected Area. Reserved Areas include large retail establishments exceeding 250,000 square feet, food courts, airports, hospitals, and other mass-gathering locations.

This lack of exclusivity in the Designated Area, combined with the exceptions to the Protected Area, means a Cicis franchisee could face competition from other Cicis concepts or brands owned by Cicis, even in their general vicinity. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider the potential impact of this lack of exclusivity on their restaurant's performance and profitability.