Can Cicis develop or operate a Restaurant in the Development Area if it is a Special Venue?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
As long as you remain in compliance with the Area Development Agreement and all Franchise Agreements, we will not develop or operate, or grant anyone else a franchise or other rights to develop and operate, a Restaurant, in the Development Area except for Special Venues. A "Special Venue" is any (1) location in which foodservice is or may be provided by a master concessionaire, (2) location which is situated within or as part of a larger venue or facility (other than a mall or shopping center) and, as a result, is likely to draw the predominance of its customers from those persons who are using or attending events in the larger venue or facility (for example, colleges/universities, convention centers, airports, hotels, sports facilities and stadiums, theme parks, hospitals, transportation facilities, convenience stores, and other similar captive market locations), or (3) distribution channel other than a Restaurant through which products and services are or may be sold.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 38–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cicis retains the right to develop or operate Restaurants within a franchisee's Development Area if the location qualifies as a "Special Venue." This means that even if a franchisee has an Area Development Agreement, Cicis can still establish a presence within that area under certain circumstances.
A "Special Venue" is defined in the FDD as any location where foodservice is or may be provided by a master concessionaire, or any location situated within a larger venue or facility (excluding malls or shopping centers) that primarily draws customers from that larger venue. Examples of Special Venues include colleges/universities, convention centers, airports, hotels, sports facilities and stadiums, theme parks, hospitals, transportation facilities, and convenience stores. Cicis also considers any distribution channel other than a Restaurant through which products and services are or may be sold as a Special Venue.
This reservation of rights has significant implications for prospective Cicis franchisees. While an Area Development Agreement grants the franchisee the right to develop multiple Restaurants within a defined geographic area, it does not provide exclusive rights to all potential locations within that area. Cicis retains the flexibility to establish Restaurants in Special Venues, potentially competing with the franchisee's locations. Franchisees should carefully consider the potential impact of Special Venues on their market share and profitability when evaluating a Cicis franchise opportunity.