Following termination of the Cicis franchise agreement, can a former franchisee represent themselves as a current or former Cicis franchisee?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to you hereunder will immediately terminate, and:
- A.
Cease Operations.
You must immediately cease to operate your Restaurant under this Agreement, and you must not thereafter, directly or indirectly, represent to the public or hold yourself out as our present or former franchisee.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, following the termination of the franchise agreement, a franchisee must cease operations and is prohibited from representing themselves as a current or former Cicis franchisee. This means that upon termination, the franchisee loses all rights granted under the agreement and must immediately stop operating the restaurant.
Furthermore, the franchisee is obligated to cease using the Cicis marks and confidential information. This includes the brand name, logos, and any other proprietary information related to the Cicis system. The franchisee must return or destroy any confidential information as directed by Cicis. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in Cicis taking action to de-identify the restaurant and recover any associated costs from the former franchisee.
These post-termination obligations are standard in franchising to protect the brand's integrity and prevent consumer confusion. By preventing former franchisees from representing themselves as part of the Cicis system, Cicis maintains control over its brand and ensures consistent quality and standards across all its locations. This is a critical aspect of maintaining the value and reputation of the Cicis brand.