What is the estimated range of costs a Cicis franchisee must reimburse for on-site construction inspections?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
of our invoice.
- On-Site Construction Inspection: If we conduct on-site inspections of the construction of your Cicis Restaurant, you must reimburse the costs and expenses we incur in doing so, which we estimate will be $800 and $3,025. This amount will be due and payable upon delivery of our invoice.
Development Fee: When you sign an Area Development Agreement, you must pay us a development fee equal to (a) the number of Cicis Restaurants that you agree to open in satisfaction of the Development Schedule, multiplied by (b) $15,000 (subject to reduction under current incentive programs described below). Our typical area development deal would require you to open 2 or 3 Cicis Restaurants, and the development fee would be $30,000 to $45,000.
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD pages 11–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may have to reimburse Cicis for on-site construction inspections. If Cicis conducts these inspections, the franchisee must cover the costs, which are estimated to be between $800 and $3,025. This reimbursement is due upon receipt of Cicis's invoice. A separate section notes that the fee for on-site construction inspection is estimated to be in the range of $200 to $1,500, depending on the distance of the location from Cicis's corporate headquarters. This amount is also due upon delivery of an invoice.
These fees cover Cicis's expenses for overseeing the construction phase, ensuring that the restaurant adheres to brand standards and specifications. The discrepancy in the estimated range may be due to different types of inspections or different circumstances. The lower range of $200 to $1,500 appears to be a fee, while the higher range of $800 to $3,025 appears to be a reimbursement of costs and expenses.
Prospective franchisees should clarify with Cicis the specific circumstances that would lead to on-site construction inspections, the factors that determine the final cost within the estimated range, and the number of inspections that are typically conducted. Understanding these costs upfront is crucial for accurate financial planning and budgeting during the initial setup phase of the franchise.