What expenses are included in the 'other costs' estimate for a Cicis restaurant?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
CICIS BUFFET RESTAURANT**
| Type of Expenditure (Note 1) | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (Note 2) | $30,000 | Lump sum | On Execution | Us |
| Leasehold Improvements (Note 3) | $325,080 - $348,725 | As arranged | As invoiced | Landlord / Third-Party Suppliers |
| Equipment and Supplies | $80,000 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| for Game Room (Note 4) | $250,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Impact Fees | $0 - | As arranged | As assessed | Local Authorities |
| (Note 5) | $20,000 | |||
| Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures (Note 6) | $163,752 – $217,000 | Lump sum or as arranged | As invoiced | Our Affiliate / Third Party Suppliers |
| Signage and Graphics (Note 7) | $11,464 – $19,600 | Lump sum | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Insurance (Note 8) | $500 - $2,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Business Licenses (Note | $1,000 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| 9) | $4,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Opening Inventory/ Supplies (Note 10) | $28,419 - $34,428 | Lump sum or as arranged | As invoiced | Our Affiliate / Third Party Suppliers |
| Promotional | $10,000 - | As arranged | As incurred | Third-Party |
| Expenses (Note 11) | $15,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Training Costs (Note 12) | $10,750 - $36,000 | As arranged | As needed | Third-Party Suppliers / Employees / Us |
| Deposits and other Pre Opening Costs (Note 13) | $9,000 - $17,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Additional Funds | $25,000 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| (3 months) | $45,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Type of Expenditure (Note 1) | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TOTALS | $694,965 - $1,038,753 |
YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT FOR A CICIS TO GO RESTAURANT
| Type of Expenditure (Note 1) | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (Note | $15,000 | Lump sum | On | Us |
| 2) | Execution | |||
| Leasehold Improvements | $76,600 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Landlord / |
| (Note 3) | $183,725 | Suppliers | ||
| Impact Fees (Note 5) | $0 - $5,000 | As arranged | As assessed | Local Authorities |
| Equipment Furniture and Fixtures (Note 6) | $87,586 - $114,473 | Lump sum or as arranged | As invoiced | JMC / Suppliers |
| Signage and Graphics | $5,000 - | Lump sum | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| (Note 7) | $10,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Insurance (Note 8) | $375 - $2,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Business Licenses (Note 9) | $1,000 - $3,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Opening Inventory/ | $21,025 - | Lump sum | As incurred | JMC / Suppliers |
| Supplies (Note 10) | $27,034 | |||
| Promotional | $10,000 - | As arranged | As incurred | Third-Party |
| Expenses (Note 11) | $15,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Training Costs (Note 12) | $7,500 - $29,000 | As arranged | As incurred | Third-Party Suppliers / Employees /Us |
| Deposits and other Pre Opening Costs (Note 13) | $8,000 - $19,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Additional Funds | $10,000 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| (3 months) (Note 14) | $15,000 | Suppliers | ||
| TOTALS | $242,086 - $438,232 |
Notes to the 2 preceding charts:
-
- All fees payable to us and our affiliates are not refundable. Whether any of the other payments are refundable will depend on the arrangement between you and the supplier.
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 initial investment includes several 'other costs' categories. For a Cicis Buffet Restaurant, these include impact fees ranging from $0 to $20,000, equipment, furniture, and fixtures costing between $163,752 and $217,000, signage and graphics ranging from $11,464 to $19,600, insurance premiums estimated between $500 and $2,000, business licenses ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, opening inventory/supplies costing between $28,419 and $34,428, promotional expenses ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, training costs between $10,750 and $36,000, deposits and other pre-opening costs ranging from $9,000 to $17,000, and additional funds for three months of $25,000 to $45,000. The total estimated initial investment for a Cicis Buffet Restaurant ranges from $694,965 to $1,038,753.
For a Cicis To Go Restaurant, the 'other costs' include impact fees ranging from $0 to $5,000, equipment, furniture, and fixtures costing between $87,586 and $114,473, signage and graphics ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, insurance premiums estimated between $375 and $2,000, business licenses ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, opening inventory/supplies costing between $21,025 and $27,034, promotional expenses ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, training costs between $7,500 and $29,000, deposits and other pre-opening costs ranging from $8,000 to $19,000, and additional funds for three months ranging from $10,000 to $15,000. The total estimated initial investment for a Cicis To Go Restaurant ranges from $242,086 to $438,232.
Prospective franchisees should note that these figures are estimates and can vary based on location, market conditions, and specific arrangements with suppliers and landlords. Impact fees, for example, are determined by local jurisdictions and can significantly exceed the stated estimates. Additionally, costs for leasehold improvements can vary widely depending on landlord contributions and the condition of the premises. It is important for potential franchisees to carefully review these estimates and conduct thorough due diligence to determine the actual costs for their specific location.
Furthermore, some of these costs are payable to Cicis's affiliate, JMC, for items such as smallwares and initial inventory. The FDD advises franchisees to review these estimates with their business advisors to ensure they have sufficient capital to launch and sustain their Cicis franchise. The document also clarifies that these estimates do not include financing charges, interest, or debt service obligations, which franchisees should consider separately when planning their investment.