Is a Cicis franchisee allowed to sign legal documents or contracts referring to themselves simply as 'Cicis'?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
With respect to your use of the Marks licensed pursuant to this Agreement:
- (1) Unless we otherwise authorize or require, you will operate and advertise your Restaurant only under the name "Cicis" without prefix or suffix.
However, you will not sign any legal documents or contracts referring to you simply as "Cicis." You will not use the Marks as part of your corporate or other legal name.
- (2) You must, at all times, identify yourself as the independent owner of your Restaurant and not do anything to indicate that you are our affiliate, including uses on invoices, order forms, receipts, and contracts.
At a minimum, you must display a notice to that effect, in such content and form and at such conspicuous locations as we may designate from time to time.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is generally required to operate and advertise their restaurant under the name "Cicis" without any additional prefixes or suffixes, unless otherwise authorized or required by Cicis. However, the franchisee is explicitly prohibited from signing any legal documents or contracts referring to themselves simply as "Cicis." They are also restricted from using the Cicis trademarks as part of their corporate or legal name.
This requirement ensures that franchisees are clearly identified as independent owners and operators of their Cicis restaurant. Franchisees must always identify themselves as the independent owner of their restaurant and avoid any actions that might suggest they are an affiliate of Cicis. This includes proper identification on invoices, order forms, receipts, and contracts. At a minimum, franchisees must display a notice indicating their independent ownership in a form and location designated by Cicis.
These stipulations protect Cicis from potential legal liabilities and ensure customers understand they are dealing with an independently owned franchise, not the corporate entity. By preventing franchisees from misrepresenting themselves as the company, Cicis maintains a clear distinction between the franchisor and its franchisees, which is a common practice in the franchise industry.