What is included in the Cicis transfer fee beyond the stated $7,500?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
greement and any Franchise Agreement with us;
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- you and your owners must not have violated any provision of this Agreement or any other agreement with us or our Affiliates during both the 60-day period before you requested our consent to the Transfer and
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 65–263)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the transfer fee is $7,500, but the franchisee is also responsible for reimbursing Cicis for reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses associated with the transfer. This means that in addition to the stated fee, a franchisee looking to transfer their franchise agreement will need to cover any direct costs Cicis incurs during the transfer process.
The FDD does not specify what these 'reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses' might include. It could potentially cover legal fees for reviewing the transfer documents, travel expenses for Cicis personnel to meet with the prospective transferee, or costs associated with training the new franchisee. The ambiguity around these costs introduces a degree of uncertainty for the franchisee, as the total expense of the transfer could exceed the stated $7,500.
Prospective franchisees should seek clarification from Cicis regarding the types of expenses that fall under 'reasonable out of pocket costs' to better understand the potential financial implications of transferring their franchise in the future. Understanding these potential costs upfront can help in financial planning and decision-making related to the franchise.