What is the estimated duration of the start-up phase for a new Cicis restaurant?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In addition to the initial franchise fee and other initial costs, you will need additional funds to operate your Location during the start-up phase of the business.
These funds will be used, among other things, to train your crew, compensate for higher than normal food and labor costs during the start-up phase, and provide general working capital.
These amounts do not include any estimates for debt service and related closing costs or for payment of a Managing Owner's or Operator's salary during pre-opening.
We estimate the start-up phase to be 3 months from the date the Location opens for business.
You may also have to pay the Royalty Fee, advertising, and other related fees described in Item 6 of this Disclosure Document.
These figures are estimates, and we cannot assure you that you will not have additional expenses starting the Location.
You should calculate your estimated expenses for these items based on the anticipated costs in your market and consider whether you will need additional cash reserves.
We relied on our affiliates' experience in developing and operating Cicis Restaurants to compile these estimates. Neither we nor our affiliates offer financing directly or indirectly for any part of the initial investment. The availability and terms of financing depend on the availability of financing generally, your creditworthiness and collateral, and lending policies of financial
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT FOR A CICIS BUFFET RESTAURANT (FDD pages 21–25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the start-up phase for a new Cicis restaurant is estimated to be 3 months from the date the location opens for business. During this initial period, franchisees should anticipate using additional funds to cover various operational needs. These funds are primarily allocated to training the crew, offsetting higher-than-normal food and labor costs, and providing general working capital to sustain the business.
It's important to note that these estimates do not account for debt service, related closing costs, or the salary of a Managing Owner or Operator during the pre-opening phase. Franchisees should also be prepared to pay ongoing Royalty Fees, advertising expenses, and other related fees as outlined in Item 6 of the FDD. These initial three months are critical for establishing the restaurant's operations and building a customer base.
Cicis emphasizes that these figures are estimates, and actual expenses may vary. Prospective franchisees are advised to conduct thorough market research to calculate anticipated costs specific to their location and to assess whether additional cash reserves will be necessary. This proactive approach will help ensure financial stability during the initial months of operation and beyond. Franchisees should consult with business advisors to review these estimates and plan accordingly.