What aspects of restaurant operations are covered in the Cicis franchise agreement?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You understand the importance of maintaining uniformity among all of the Cicis Restaurants and the importance of complying with all of our standards, specifications, policies, and procedures relating to the operation of your Restaurant and, therefore, agree to comply with all System Standards as they exist from time to time.
Though we retain the right to establish and periodically modify System Standards, you retain the right and sole responsibility for the day-to-day management and operation of your Restaurant and the implementation and maintenance of System Standards at your Restaurant.
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 the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement grants the franchisee the right to use the Cicis system, including trademarks, to operate a Cicis Restaurant. This operation must strictly adhere to the agreement's terms. The agreement emphasizes the importance of maintaining uniformity across all Cicis Restaurants and compliance with the franchisor's standards and procedures. While Cicis retains the right to establish and modify these system standards, the franchisee is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of their restaurant, including implementing and maintaining the system standards.
The Cicis franchise agreement covers various aspects of restaurant operations, including sales, marketing, advertising, and promotional programs. It also dictates staffing levels, employee qualifications, dress, and appearance, though employee selection, pay, and working conditions remain the franchisee's responsibility. The agreement also covers the use and display of Cicis's trademarks, days and hours of operation, and acceptable payment methods.
Furthermore, the agreement includes policies for online presence, participation in market research, gift card programs, and menu specifications, including nutrition information. It also covers bookkeeping, accounting, data processing, record-keeping systems, and the frequency of sales reports. Franchisees must participate in quality assurance and customer satisfaction programs and adhere to guidelines for using third-party food delivery services.
Finally, the Cicis franchise agreement specifies the types, amounts, terms, and conditions of required insurance coverage. It also addresses any other operational aspects deemed useful for preserving the brand's image and goodwill. Cicis also maintains a website with information about the system and its products, over which it has sole control, and may include information about the franchisee's restaurant on the site.