Can the initial franchise fee for a Cicis restaurant be negotiated?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Initial Franchise Fees: When you sign the Franchise Agreement, you must pay us an initial franchise fee of $30,000 for a Cicis Buffet Restaurant and $15,000 for a Cicis To Go Restaurant (subject to reduction under current incentive programs described below). The initial franchise fee is payable in a lump sum and is uniformly imposed (although we reserve the right to negotiate it at our discretion).
- Development Incentive Program: If you enter into a new 5-unit Area Development Agreement and remain in good standing under all agreements with us, the initial franchise fee you pay under each Franchise Agreement you sign pursuant to the Area Development Agreement will be reduced to $10,000, and the development fee will be $50,000. We will then apply the development fee, in $10,000 increments, in full satisfaction of the initial franchise fee due under each Franchise Agreement you sign pursuant to the Area Development Agreement. To participate in this program, you must sign and satisfy the conditions under the Development Incentive Program Addendum attached as Exhibit D-1 to this Disclosure Document when you sign the Area Development Agreement or, as applicable, the Franchise Agreement.
- Veteran's Incentive Program: If you or your owners are active members of, or were honorably discharged from, the United States armed forces and remain in good standing under all agreements with us, then we will waive your obligation to pay the development
fee under any new Area Development Agreement and the obligation to pay an initial franchise fee under any new Franchise Agreement. To participate in this program, you must sign and satisfy the conditions under the Veteran's Incentive Program Addendum attached as Exhibit D-2 to this Disclosure Document when you sign the Area Development Agreement or, as applicable, the Franchise Agreement.
• Reopen Incentive Program: Under this program, if you agree to reopen a closed Cicis Restaurant, your initial franchise fee under the new Franchise Agreement for that Cicis Restaurant will be reduced to $5,000.
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD pages 11–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee is generally uniformly imposed, but Cicis retains the right to negotiate it at their discretion. The standard initial franchise fee is $30,000 for a Cicis Buffet Restaurant and $15,000 for a Cicis To Go Restaurant. However, these fees are subject to reduction under current incentive programs that Cicis may offer. These incentive programs are voluntary, and Cicis reserves the right to determine how long and under what conditions they will be offered, as well as the right to suspend or terminate participation in any incentive program at any time.
Currently, Cicis offers a Development Incentive Program where the initial franchise fee is reduced to $10,000 under each Franchise Agreement if the franchisee enters into a new 5-unit Area Development Agreement and remains in good standing. There is also a Veteran's Incentive Program that waives the initial franchise fee for qualified veterans who are active members of, or were honorably discharged from, the United States armed forces and remain in good standing. Additionally, the Reopen Incentive Program reduces the initial franchise fee to $5,000 if the franchisee agrees to reopen a closed Cicis Restaurant.
Prospective franchisees should inquire about the specific conditions and availability of these incentive programs at the time of signing the Franchise Agreement, as Cicis can modify or terminate these programs. It is important to note that all fees described in Item 5 of the FDD, including the initial franchise fee, are generally non-refundable under any circumstances. Understanding the potential for negotiation and the conditions of incentive programs can significantly impact the initial investment required to open a Cicis franchise.