What must a Cicis franchisee do regarding the preparation of menu items?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- F. Operational Requirements. To ensure that the highest degree of quality and service is maintained, you will operate your Restaurant in strict conformity with our methods, standards, specifications, policies, and procedures or as are set forth in the Manuals (or otherwise provided in this Agreement) and as may from time to time otherwise be prescribed in writing. In particular, you also agree:
- (1) To sell or offer for sale all, and only those, menu items, products, and services we require (including beer and/or wine, if permitted by applicable law) or expressly approve, in writing, from time to time, and removing those items that we subsequently disapprove, utilizing only the method, manner, and style of distribution we prescribe or approve, in writing, from time to time, including without limitation distribution through dine-in, carry-out, catering, and delivery using any platform and provider we require. Any change in distribution methods must be expressly authorized by us in writing, in the Manuals, or otherwise. You must comply with the terms of any such distribution program and, in connection therewith, execute such documents or instruments that we require.
- (2) To maintain in sufficient supply and to use and sell at all times only such food and beverage items, ingredients, products, materials, supplies, and paper goods that conform to our System Standards; to prepare all menu items in accordance with our recipes and procedures for preparation contained in the Manuals or other written directives, including the prescribed measurements of ingredients; and to refrain from deviating from our standards and specifications by the use or offer of nonconforming items or differing amounts of any items, without our prior written consent.
- (3) To permit us or our agents, at any reasonable time, to remove a reasonable number of samples of food and non-food items from your inventory, or from your Restaurant, without payment therefor, in amounts reasonably necessary for testing by us or an independent laboratory to determine whether such samples meet our then current standards and specifications. In addition to any other remedies we may have under this Agreement, we may require you to bear the cost of
such testing if we have not previously approved the supplier of the item or if the sample fails to conform with our specifications.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to specific requirements regarding menu items. Cicis franchisees are required to sell only those menu items, products, and services that Cicis mandates or expressly approves in writing. They must also remove any items that Cicis subsequently disapproves. The method, manner, and style of distribution must align with what Cicis prescribes or approves in writing, including options like dine-in, carry-out, catering, and delivery through specified platforms. Any changes to distribution methods require explicit written authorization from Cicis, and franchisees must comply with the terms of any distribution program, including executing necessary documents.
Cicis franchisees must maintain a sufficient supply of food and beverage items, ingredients, products, materials, supplies, and paper goods that conform to Cicis's System Standards. All menu items must be prepared according to the recipes and procedures outlined in the manuals or other written directives, including precise measurements of ingredients. Franchisees are prohibited from deviating from these standards by using nonconforming items or differing amounts of any items without prior written consent from Cicis.
To ensure compliance, Cicis or its agents are permitted to take samples of food and non-food items from the franchisee's inventory or restaurant for testing. These samples, taken at any reasonable time without payment, are used to determine whether they meet Cicis's current standards and specifications. If the supplier of the item has not been previously approved by Cicis or if the sample fails to meet specifications, the franchisee may be required to bear the cost of such testing. These operational requirements are designed to maintain quality and service standards across all Cicis restaurants.