What happens if a threat to public health or safety results from the operation of a Cicis restaurant?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The System Standards applicable to Cicis Buffet Restaurants may differ from those applicable to Cicis To Go Restaurants. Our periodic modification of the System Standards, which may accommodate regional or local variations, may obligate you to invest additional capital in your Restaurant and incur higher operating costs. At our discretion, we may require you to make certain modifications to the manner of operation of your Restaurant, including without limitation, modifying the hours of operation, changing the manner in which products or services shall be delivered to customers, limiting or changing the products or services that you shall provide to customers, and creating and displaying temporary signage, all of which may be required on a regional or local basis as necessary to address certain public health concerns. These modifications do not need to be implemented throughout the System, and in certain situations, could only affect your Restaurant, and could include requiring temporary closure. We will determine the scope and duration of such modifications.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a threat or danger to public health or safety results from the construction, maintenance, or operation of a Cicis restaurant, it can lead to consequences under the franchise agreement. Cicis has the right to modify System Standards to address public health concerns, potentially requiring franchisees to invest additional capital and incur higher operating costs. These modifications can include changing hours of operation, how products/services are delivered, limiting products/services, and displaying temporary signage. These changes may only affect an individual restaurant and could include temporary closure, with Cicis determining the scope and duration of such modifications.
This means that a Cicis franchisee must be prepared to adapt their restaurant operations to address public health concerns, potentially on short notice. This could involve unexpected expenses for new equipment, signage, or operational changes. The franchisee may also face lost revenue if the restaurant needs to limit its services or temporarily close.
The FDD emphasizes that these modifications don't need to be implemented system-wide, meaning a single Cicis location could be subject to changes while others are not. This highlights the importance of a Cicis franchisee maintaining open communication with the franchisor and being prepared to implement changes quickly to protect public health and safety, even if it impacts their restaurant's profitability.