Does the Cicis franchise agreement allow the franchisor to issue written directives to the franchisee that are not included in the Manuals?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You will maintain your Restaurant in a high degree of sanitation, repair, and condition and otherwise comply with all requirements set forth in the Manuals with regard to such matters.
Except as may be expressly provided in the Manuals, no alterations or improvements or changes of any kind in design, equipment, signs, interior or exterior decor items, fixtures, or furnishings will be made in or about your Restaurant or its premises without our prior written approval.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to the standards outlined in the Manuals regarding restaurant maintenance and sanitation. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the Manuals, franchisees are required to obtain prior written approval from Cicis before making any alterations or improvements to the restaurant's design, equipment, signs, or decor, whether interior or exterior. This requirement ensures uniformity and adherence to the Cicis brand standards across all franchise locations.
This clause grants Cicis significant control over the appearance and functionality of each restaurant, ensuring brand consistency. While the FDD excerpt does not explicitly state that Cicis can issue written directives outside of the Manuals, the requirement for written approval for any changes suggests that Cicis can indeed direct franchisees on specific aspects of the restaurant's operations and appearance beyond what is already documented in the Manuals. This allows Cicis to adapt to changing market conditions or customer preferences by mandating changes across the franchise system.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that they must be prepared to seek approval for any modifications they wish to make to their Cicis restaurant. This could potentially limit their autonomy and require them to incur additional costs if they need to comply with directives from Cicis. It is important for potential franchisees to carefully review the Manuals and understand the scope of changes that might be required during the franchise term. Franchisees should also inquire about the process for requesting and obtaining approval for alterations to the restaurant.
Overall, while the excerpt does not explicitly confirm the ability of Cicis to issue written directives outside the manuals, the control Cicis maintains over restaurant alterations and improvements implies that such directives are possible. Prospective franchisees should seek clarification from Cicis regarding the frequency and nature of these potential directives to fully understand their obligations and potential costs.