Must a Cicis franchisee obtain approval for leases of fixtures, furnishings, or equipment?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (4) To purchase or lease and install all fixtures, furnishings, equipment (including computer hardware and software), decor items, signs, delivery vehicles, and related items as we may reasonably direct from time to time in the Manuals or otherwise in writing; and to refrain from installing or permitting to be installed on or about your Restaurant premises, without our prior written consent, any fixtures, furnishings, equipment, delivery vehicles, decor items, signs, video or other games, vending machines, or other items not previously approved as meeting our standards and specifications, as set forth in the Manuals.
If you lease from a third party any of the property described above, such lease must be approved by us, in writing, prior to execution.
Our approval will be conditioned upon such lease containing a provision which permits any interest of yours in the lease to be assigned to us upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement and which prohibits the lessor from imposing an assignment or related fee upon us in connection with such assignment.
Our specification, review, or approval of any fixtures, furnishings, equipment, or other items will not constitute a warranty, express or implied, as to such item, and we will not have any liability or responsibility with respect to the lack of suitability of, or defects in, any such item.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee needs to obtain prior written consent from Cicis before installing any fixtures, furnishings, or equipment on the Restaurant premises that have not been previously approved as meeting Cicis's standards and specifications. This includes computer hardware and software, decor items, signs, and delivery vehicles.
Furthermore, if a franchisee chooses to lease any of these items from a third party, the lease agreement itself must also be approved by Cicis in writing before it is executed. Cicis's approval is conditional upon the lease containing a provision that allows the franchisee's interest in the lease to be assigned to Cicis upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement. The lease must also prohibit the lessor from imposing any assignment or related fees on Cicis in connection with such an assignment.
Cicis also states that their specification, review, or approval of any fixtures, furnishings, equipment, or other items does not constitute a warranty, express or implied, as to the item's quality or suitability. Cicis assumes no liability or responsibility for any lack of suitability or defects in these items. This means the franchisee bears the risk of ensuring the selected items meet their needs and perform as expected, even if Cicis has approved them.