If I want to transfer my Cicis franchise, where can I find a summary of the process?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ns in the Franchise Agreement and the Area Development Agreement attached to this disclosure document.**
| Provision | Section in | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area Development Agreement – Section 5.C. | Franchise or other Agreement | You must (i) pay all amounts due us and our affiliates and third- party vendors; (ii) not be in default; (iii) provide us all information and documents we reasonably request including copies of all agreements executed in relation to transfer; (iv) execute a general release; (v) remain liable for pre-transfer obligations; (vi) pay or caused to be paid a transfer fee; and (vii) execute a non-compete agreement. Transferee must (i) meet our criteria; (ii) assume post-transfer obligations; and (iii) execute our then-standard Area Development Agreement. | |
| n. Franchisor’s right of first refusal to acquire franchisee’s business | Franchise Agreement – Section 13.C. Area Development Agreement – Section 5.F. | Within 30 days after notice, we have the option to purchase the transferred interest on the same terms and conditions offered by a third party. Within 30 days after notice, we have the option to purchase the transferred interest on the same terms and conditions offered by a third party. | |
| amount equal to your Original Cost (defined in the Franchise | |||
| Agreement), plus | 10%; (ii) 6 | to 12 months following | the |
| Provision | Section in Franchise or other Agreement Area Development Agreement - Section 6. | Summary Under the Area Development Agreement, you have 30 days to cure defaults not listed in (h) below. You may also cure defaults under any other agreement with between you (or your affiliates or guarantors) and us (or our affiliates) within the applicable cure period, if any. | |
| h. "Cause" defined – non-curable defaults | Franchise Agreement – Section 15.A. | If you (or any of your owners, as applicable) (i) become insolvent; (ii) operate your Cicis Restaurant at a location we have not approved or sell any products or services authorized by us; (iii) fail to acquire the right to possess the location or to develop and open your Cicis Restaurant for business within the prescribed timeframe; (iv) fail to construct or remodel your Cicis Restaurant in accordance with the approved plans and specifications; (v) lose the right to possess the premises of your Cicis Restaurant; (vi) close your Cicis Restaurant for business or inform us of your intention to permanently cease operation of your Cicis Restaurant (except as permitted under the Reopen Incentive Addendum), (vii) fail to actively operate your Cicis Restaurant for 3 or more consecutive days, (viii) otherwise abandon or appear to have abandoned your rights; (ix) are convicted of or plead guilty to felony or any other crime or offense that we believe is reasonably likely to have an adverse effect on the System, the Marks, or our goodwill; (x) endanger or threaten public health or safety from the construction, maintenance, or operation of your Cicis Restaurant; (xi) fail to ensure that you and your required personnel complete our initial training; (xii) make or attempt an unauthorized transfer; (xiii) fail, refuse, or neglect promptly to pay (or cause your affiliates to pay) any monies owing to us, any of our affiliates, or the designated suppliers or to submit the financial or other information required by us; (xiv) are in default of any other agreement with us, our affiliate or our designated suppliers (including the Area Development Agreement); (xv) engage in Competing Businesses; (xvi) fail to comply with the confidentiality obligations; (xvii) falsify records; or (xviii) are in breach of your (or their) obligations. |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 45–53)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 17 provides a summary of the transfer process. Specifically, it outlines the obligations of both the franchisee (the seller) and the transferee (the buyer) when transferring either a Franchise Agreement or an Area Development Agreement.
For a franchisee looking to transfer their Cicis franchise, the FDD states that you must meet several conditions. These include paying all outstanding amounts owed to Cicis and its affiliates, ensuring you are not in default of the agreement, providing all requested information and documents related to the transfer, executing a general release, remaining liable for any pre-transfer obligations, paying a transfer fee, and executing a non-compete agreement. The potential buyer must also meet Cicis's criteria, assume all post-transfer obligations, and execute Cicis's then-standard Area Development Agreement.
Additionally, Cicis retains the right of first refusal to acquire the franchise on the same terms and conditions offered by a third party. This means that before a franchisee can finalize a transfer to another party, Cicis has the option to purchase the franchise themselves under the same terms. This right of first refusal is detailed in Section 13.C of the Franchise Agreement and Section 5.F of the Area Development Agreement. Item 17 also lists several conditions under which a transfer would be considered a non-curable default, such as making an unauthorized transfer, which could lead to termination of the franchise agreement.