Must Cicis franchisees use designated vendors for each Marketing Program?

According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to comply with all requirements and specifications established by Cicis and must use all designated vendors for each Marketing Program. This means that when participating in any marketing initiative, franchisees do not have the freedom to choose their own suppliers or vendors. Instead, they must exclusively use the vendors that Cicis has approved or designated for that specific program.

This requirement ensures consistency and quality control across all Cicis locations, as using designated vendors allows Cicis to maintain brand standards and negotiate favorable pricing or terms. However, it also limits the franchisee's autonomy and flexibility in sourcing marketing materials and services. Franchisees cannot seek out potentially cheaper or better-suited vendors on their own; they are bound to the choices made by the franchisor.

For a prospective Cicis franchisee, this means they need to factor in the costs and terms associated with these designated vendors when budgeting for marketing expenses. They should also evaluate whether the designated vendors can adequately meet their specific needs and expectations. While the franchisee can contribute to marketing through the Fund Contribution and Local Marketing Spend, the selection of vendors remains under Cicis's control, which could impact the franchisee's ability to tailor marketing efforts to their local market.