What aspects of the Cicis Restaurant operation may System Standards regulate?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
System Standards may regulate any aspect of the operation and maintenance of your Restaurant, including, but not limited to, any one or more of the following:
(1) sales, marketing, advertising and promotional programs and materials and media used in these programs;
(2) staffing levels for your Restaurant and employee qualifications, dress, and appearance (although employee selection and promotion, hours worked, rates of pay and other benefits, work assigned and working conditions are your sole responsibility);
(3) use and display of the Marks;
(4) days and hours of operation;
(5) methods of payment that your Restaurant may accept from customers;
(6) policies for the registration, use, content, or management of online presences, or other technology systems, solutions, or products;
(7) participation in market research and product and service testing programs;
(8) participation in gift card programs;
(9) menus, including product offerings, appearance, and inclusion of nutrition information;
(10) bookkeeping, accounting, data processing and record keeping systems and forms; formats, content and frequency of reports to us of sales, revenue, and financial performance and condition;
(11) participation in quality assurance and customer satisfaction programs;
(12) use of any third-party food delivery services, online ordering services, or other food aggregation services;
(13) types, amounts, terms and conditions of insurance coverage required for your Restaurant, including criteria for your insurance carriers; and
(14) any other aspects of operating and maintaining your Restaurant that we determine to be useful to preserve or enhance the efficient operation, image or goodwill of the Marks and Cicis Restaurants.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the System Standards may regulate nearly every aspect of a Cicis restaurant's operation and maintenance. These standards ensure uniformity across all Cicis locations and compliance with the franchisor's specifications, policies, and procedures. While Cicis retains the right to modify these standards, the franchisee is responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of these standards within their restaurant.
The System Standards cover a broad range of operational elements, including sales, marketing, advertising, promotional programs, and the materials and media used in these programs. They also extend to staffing levels, employee qualifications, dress, and appearance, although employee selection, promotion, pay rates, and working conditions remain the franchisee's responsibility. The use and display of Cicis's trademarks, the restaurant's days and hours of operation, and the methods of payment accepted from customers are also subject to System Standards.
Furthermore, the standards encompass policies for online presences, technology systems, participation in market research, gift card programs, and menus, including product offerings and nutrition information. Bookkeeping, accounting, data processing, record-keeping systems, and the frequency and content of sales reports are also regulated. Franchisees must also participate in quality assurance and customer satisfaction programs. The use of third-party food delivery services and the types and terms of required insurance coverage are also dictated by the System Standards.
Finally, Cicis retains the authority to regulate any other aspect of operating and maintaining the restaurant deemed useful to preserve or enhance the brand's efficient operation, image, or goodwill. This broad authority allows Cicis to adapt to changing market conditions and maintain brand consistency across all franchise locations. Franchisees should be aware that these standards may change over time, potentially requiring additional investment or operational adjustments.