Does the definition of 'Manuals' for Cicis include written directives not included in the Manuals?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To protect our reputation and goodwill and to maintain high standards of operation under our Marks, you will develop and operate your Restaurant in accordance with the Manuals, other written directives we may issue to you from time to time, whether or not such directives are included in the Manuals, and any other manuals and materials created or approved for use in the operation of your Restaurant (for the avoidance of doubt, references in this Agreement to the "Manuals" shall include all such written directives and such other manuals and materials that we provide you from time to time). The Manuals form part of our Confidential Information (defined below) and, as between us and you, will at all times remain our sole property. Any physical copies of the Manuals that we provide to you must be kept in a secure place on your Restaurant premises. Both physical and electronic copies of the Manuals may be made accessible only to those of your Owners and employees who need to know their contents and only after they have signed a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance we approve, pursuant to which they agree to maintain the same level of confidence to which you are bound under this Agreement. We may, from time to time, revise the contents of the Manuals, and you hereby expressly agree to comply with each new or changed standard. In the event of any dispute as to the contents of the Manuals, the terms of the master copy of the Manuals that we maintain will control.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, the definition of "Manuals" includes not only the formal Manuals but also other written directives that Cicis may issue to franchisees from time to time, regardless of whether they are included in the Manuals themselves. This broad definition also encompasses any other manuals and materials created or approved for use in the operation of the Cicis restaurant.
This means that as a Cicis franchisee, you are responsible for following not only the established Manuals but also any additional written instructions or guidelines that Cicis provides. These directives are considered part of the Manuals for compliance purposes. Cicis retains the right to revise the contents of the Manuals, and franchisees must comply with any new or changed standards.
The master copy of the Manuals maintained by Cicis will control in the event of any dispute regarding the contents of the Manuals. Franchisees must ensure that physical copies of the Manuals are kept in a secure place on the restaurant premises and that both physical and electronic copies are accessible only to owners and employees who need to know their contents and have signed a confidentiality agreement. This highlights the importance of staying updated with all communications from Cicis and integrating them into restaurant operations.