What is the estimated range for the Development Fee for Multiple Restaurants that I would pay to Cicis?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| TYPE OF EXPENDITURE | AMOUNT | METHOD OF PAYMENT | WHEN DUE | TO WHOM PAYMENT IS MADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development Fee for | $30,000 - $45,000 | Lump Sum | On Execution | Us |
| Multiple Restaurants 1 | ||||
| TOTAL ESTIMATED | $30,000 - $45,000 | |||
| INITIAL INVESTMENT |
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 estimated Development Fee for Multiple Restaurants ranges from $30,000 to $45,000. This fee is paid in a lump sum to Cicis upon the execution of the Area Development Agreement. This fee applies to a typical opening commitment of 2 or 3 Cicis restaurants, calculated as $15,000 multiplied by the number of restaurants you agree to open.
However, the FDD notes an exception under current incentive programs. If a franchisee enters into a new 5-unit Area Development Agreement and remains in good standing, the Development Fee is $10,000 multiplied by the number of Cicis restaurants agreed to open. In this case, for a 5-unit agreement, the development fee would total $50,000.
The Development Fee is not an expense; Cicis will apply the development fee in increments of either $15,000 or $10,000 (depending on the incentive program) toward the payment of initial franchise fees as Franchise Agreements are executed for each location.