Can the expenses incurred for the grand opening promotion of a Cicis Restaurant be credited toward the required Local Marketing Spend?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
keting Spend report at the same time as the Net Sales report.
You must conduct a grand opening promotion for your Cicis Restaurant. We must approve the timing and all marketing items and methods (including the media) that you use for the grand opening promotion. You must spend at least $10,000 on marketing expenditure for the grand opening of your Cicis Restaurant. The expenses you incur for the grand opening promotion will not be credited toward your required Local Marketing Spend or any of your other marketing obligations and must be provided prior to the opening of your Cicis Restaurant. You may be reimbursed the expenses you incurred and paid in executing a grand opening promotion for your Cicis Restaurant (less salaries and benefits paid to your owners or employees), up to the amount of the Renewal Fee you paid, if any, if you sign and satisfy the conditions under the Underperforming Incentive Program
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 31–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the expenses for the grand opening promotion of a Cicis restaurant cannot be credited toward the required Local Marketing Spend. Franchisees are required to conduct a grand opening promotion, ensuring that the timing, marketing items, and methods are approved by Cicis.
The FDD specifies that franchisees must spend at least $10,000 on marketing expenditure for the grand opening of their Cicis Restaurant. This expenditure is separate from the Local Marketing Spend, which requires franchisees to spend at least 1% of monthly Net Sales on local marketing in their Protected Area.
This means that the $10,000+ spent on the grand opening is an additional, separate marketing expense and cannot be used to fulfill the ongoing monthly Local Marketing Spend requirement. However, the franchisee may be reimbursed for the grand opening promotion expenses (less salaries and benefits paid to owners or employees), up to the amount of the Renewal Fee paid, if they sign and satisfy the conditions under the Underperforming Incentive Program Addendum.