How will Cicis communicate System Standards and approved Operating Assets to franchisees?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Standards and Specifications: In order to maintain the quality and uniformity of all food products, menu items, ingredients, services, products, materials, forms, items, supplies, fixtures, furnishings and equipment utilized in or by Cicis Restaurants, we may, at our discretion, issue certain mandatory standards, specifications, operating procedures and rules (the "System Standards"). You must strictly comply with all System Standards. In constructing and operating the Restaurant, you must use only those types of food and beverage items, condiments, construction and decorative materials, fixtures, equipment, furniture and signs and other products and services ("Operating Assets") that we have approved according to our System Standards for appearance, function and performance. We will not issue to you or to our approved suppliers (except as we deem necessary for purposes of production) the System Standards for proprietary Operating Assets. We will otherwise communicate our System Standards and the approved Operating Assets to you in the
prototype architectural plans for a Cicis Restaurant, in the Operations Manual and otherwise in writing.
Approved or Designated Suppliers; Restricted Purchases: To further facilitate consistency and quality among Cicis Restaurants and our ability to leverage volume purchasing power, we may approve or designate vendors and suppliers for some or all the Operating Assets. We are not approved suppliers of any Operating Asset but as noted in Item 5 above, our affiliate, JMC, is the sole approved supplier of certain items that you will use in the development and operation of your Cicis Restaurant. You will be required to participate in our gift and loyalty card programs that are currently conducted by and through our affiliate, CiCi Services. We will provide a list of approved and designated suppliers in the Operations Manuals or otherwise in writing.
We have designated third-party suppliers for the following Operating Assets and you must purchase such goods and services from those suppliers: food and beverage products; the initial restaurant equipment, furniture, fixture, supplies & décor package; smallwares; branded merchandise; the point-of-sale system; digital menu boards; game room card readers; computer system and other technology infrastructure requirements; vehicles for delivery; third-party delivery service providers; construction contractor; marketing materials; and insurance.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 25–28)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cicis communicates its System Standards and approved Operating Assets to franchisees through several channels. These include prototype architectural plans for a Cicis Restaurant, the Operations Manual, and other written communications. System Standards are mandatory standards, specifications, operating procedures, and rules that Cicis may issue to maintain the quality and uniformity of all food products, menu items, ingredients, services, products, materials, forms, items, supplies, fixtures, furnishings, and equipment. Franchisees must strictly comply with all System Standards. Operating Assets refer to the types of food and beverage items, condiments, construction and decorative materials, fixtures, equipment, furniture, signs, and other products and services that franchisees must use in constructing and operating their restaurants, as approved by Cicis.
However, Cicis will not provide franchisees or approved suppliers with the System Standards for proprietary Operating Assets, except as deemed necessary for production purposes. This means that certain specific details about how proprietary items are made or used will remain confidential. Cicis may approve or designate vendors and suppliers for some or all of the Operating Assets to ensure consistency and quality among Cicis Restaurants and to leverage volume purchasing power. A list of approved and designated suppliers will be provided in the Operations Manuals or otherwise in writing.
Prospective franchisees should note that Cicis designates third-party suppliers for various Operating Assets, and franchisees are required to purchase these goods and services from those specified suppliers. These Operating Assets include food and beverage products, the initial restaurant equipment, furniture, fixture, supplies & décor package, smallwares, branded merchandise, the point-of-sale system, digital menu boards, game room card readers, computer system and other technology infrastructure requirements, vehicles for delivery, third-party delivery service providers, construction contractor, marketing materials, and insurance. This requirement ensures uniformity and quality control across all Cicis locations, but it also limits the franchisee's autonomy in choosing suppliers.