Is the franchisee required to comply with revisions to the Cicis Manuals?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ritten approval.
- B. Improvements and Modernization. You will, upon our request, make other improvements to your Restaurant premises, equipment (including computer hardware and software), game room equipment, signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, supplies, and other products and materials required for the operation of your Restaurant, to our then current System Standards.
- C. Manuals. During the Term, we will provide you with access to our manuals applicable to the development and operation of Cicis Restaurants (collectively, the "Manuals"). We will determine the content of the Manuals, the frequency in which it may be updated, and the manner and format in which it is delivered or made available to you. The Manuals may contain both mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures and rules that we periodically prescribe for operating Cicis Restaurants and other specifications, standards and policies we may periodically suggest, and information on your other obligations under this Agreement (the "System Standards"), and other suggested specifications, standards and procedures. We may periodically modify the Manuals, including in the form of memoranda and newsletters, to reflect changes in System Standards. Our master copy of the Manuals is the controlling copy. The Manuals and any passwords and access credentials are part of our Confidential Information (defined below) and must be protected against improper use and disclosure. You may disclose the Manuals to your employees who need to know its contents provided they are themselves bound by written obligations of confidentiality. You may not at any time copy, duplicate, record, or otherwise reproduce, distribute or publish any part of the Manuals or use its contents in any other business.
- D.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must comply with the System Standards as they exist and are updated from time to time. Cicis will provide franchisees access to the Manuals applicable to the development and operation of Cicis Restaurants during the term of the agreement. Cicis determines the content of the Manuals, how often they are updated, and how they are delivered to the franchisee. The Manuals may contain mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures, and rules that Cicis periodically prescribes, as well as other suggested specifications, standards, and procedures.
The Manuals may be modified periodically, including through memoranda and newsletters, to reflect changes in System Standards. The master copy of the Manuals that Cicis maintains is the controlling copy. The Manuals and any access credentials are part of Cicis's confidential information and must be protected against improper use and disclosure. Franchisees may disclose the Manuals to their employees who need to know the contents, provided those employees are bound by written obligations of confidentiality. Franchisees may not copy, duplicate, record, reproduce, distribute, or publish any part of the Manuals or use their contents in any other business.
This means that Cicis franchisees are obligated to adhere to the most current version of the Cicis Manuals and all updates. Failure to comply with these standards could result in a breach of the franchise agreement. Franchisees should regularly review any updates to the manuals and ensure their restaurant operations align with the current System Standards. This requirement ensures uniformity across all Cicis restaurants and protects the brand's reputation.