What geographic areas are included in the post-termination non-compete restrictions for a Cicis franchise?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
iness, or (iii) grants franchises or licenses for or provides services to any of the foregoing.
For a continuous uninterrupted period 2 years after the termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, neither you nor any of your Owners and Operator (and members of their immediate family) will, directly or indirectly, engage in Competing Business (i) at the location of your Cicis Restaurant; (ii) within the Protected Area; (iii) if this Agreement is executed pursuant to a development agreement, within the development area described therein; or (iii) within a 10-mile radius of (a) the location of your Cicis Restaurant, (b) the Protected Area, (c) the Development Area, if applicable, or (iv) any Cicis-branded food service facility.
ITEM 16 RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL
Under the Area Development Agreement, you are not authorized to sell anything. Under the Franchise Agreement, you agree that you will: (1) offer and sell from your Cicis Restaurant all of the products and services that we specify at our discretion;
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISED BUSINESS (FDD pages 43–44)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, for two years after the termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee and their owners/operators (including immediate family) are restricted from engaging in a Competing Business. A Competing Business is defined as one deriving more than 50% of its revenue from pizza sales through authorized distribution methods, functioning as a commissary to such businesses, or franchising/licensing similar businesses.
The non-compete applies to several geographic areas. First, it includes the location of the former Cicis Restaurant. Second, it extends to the Protected Area defined in the Franchise Agreement. Third, if the agreement was executed under a development agreement, the non-compete covers the Development Area. Finally, the restriction applies within a 10-mile radius of the Cicis Restaurant location, the Protected Area, the Development Area (if applicable), and any Cicis-branded food service facility.
This means a franchisee cannot simply close their Cicis location and immediately open a competing pizza business nearby. The restrictions are designed to protect Cicis's market share and brand recognition within the areas where the franchisee previously operated. The breadth of these restrictions—covering the restaurant location itself, the protected area, the development area, and a 10-mile radius around various points—highlights the importance Cicis places on preventing former franchisees from directly competing after leaving the system. Franchisees should carefully consider these limitations before signing the agreement.