What is the Cicis franchisee's obligation regarding agreements and invoices related to the operation of the Restaurant after termination?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to you hereunder will immediately terminate, and:
- A.
Cease Operations.
You must immediately cease to operate your Restaurant under this Agreement, and you must not thereafter, directly or indirectly, represent to the public or hold yourself out as our present or former franchisee.
- B.
Cease Use of the Marks and Confidential Information.
You must immediately and permanently cease to use, in any manner whatsoever, and return to us (or, at our direction, destroy) any Confidential Information and cease to use the mark "Cicis" and all other Marks.
If you fail to promptly de-identify your Restaurant in accordance with our then-current System Standards, then we will have the right to cure deficiency, and you must reimburse us for all costs we incur in curing such deficiency.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, upon the expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must immediately cease operating the restaurant and must not represent themselves as a current or former franchisee. The franchisee must also immediately and permanently cease using the "Cicis" mark and all other Marks, and return (or destroy, if directed) any Confidential Information.
Furthermore, the franchisee is responsible for de-identifying the restaurant according to Cicis' then-current System Standards. If the franchisee fails to do so promptly, Cicis has the right to correct the deficiency, and the franchisee must reimburse Cicis for all costs incurred in curing the deficiency. This includes removing signs, decor, and materials displaying any marks, designs, or logos owned by Cicis.
In practical terms, this means that a franchisee who leaves the Cicis system, whether through choice or termination, must take immediate steps to remove all branding and proprietary information from the restaurant. Failure to do so can result in Cicis taking action to de-identify the location and billing the former franchisee for the associated expenses. This is a standard practice in franchising to protect the brand's image and prevent consumer confusion.