How does Cicis's Item 8 regarding standards and specifications relate to the franchisee's obligations outlined in Item 9?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Obligation | Section in Agreement | Disclosure Document item |
|---|---|---|
| g. | Franchise Agreement - | Items 8, 11, 14, and |
| Compliance with | Section 6 | |
| standards and policies/Operating Manual | Area Development Agreement – N/A | 16 |
Standards and Specifications: In order to maintain the quality and uniformity of all food products, menu items, ingredients, services, products, materials, forms, items, supplies, fixtures, furnishings and equipment utilized in or by Cicis Restaurants, we may, at our discretion, issue certain mandatory standards, specifications, operating procedures and rules (the "System Standards"). You must strictly comply with all System Standards. In constructing and operating the Restaurant, you must use only those types of food and beverage items, condiments, construction and decorative materials, fixtures, equipment, furniture and signs and other products and services ("Operating Assets") that we have approved according to our System Standards for appearance, function and performance.
You will, upon our request, make other improvements to your Restaurant premises, equipment (including computer hardware and software), game room equipment, signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, supplies, and other products and materials required for the operation of your Restaurant, to our then current System Standards.
We have designated third-party suppliers for the following Operating Assets and you must purchase such goods and services from those suppliers: food and beverage products; the initial restaurant equipment, furniture, fixture, supplies & décor package; smallwares; branded merchandise; the point-of-sale system; digital menu boards; game room card readers; computer system and other technology infrastructure requirements; vehicles for delivery; third-party delivery service providers; construction contractor; marketing materials; and insurance.
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 8, which details restrictions on sources of products and services, directly relates to a franchisee's obligations as outlined in Item 9. Item 8 states that Cicis may issue mandatory System Standards to maintain quality and uniformity, and franchisees must strictly comply with these standards. These standards dictate the types of food, beverages, materials, fixtures, equipment, and other products and services franchisees must use.
Item 9 specifies that franchisees must comply with Cicis's standards and policies, as detailed in the operating manual. This obligation is reinforced by the franchise agreement. Franchisees are required to adhere to System Standards, which may regulate various aspects of the restaurant's operation, including marketing, staffing, menu, and technology systems.
In practice, this means a Cicis franchisee is obligated to source approved Operating Assets from designated suppliers to ensure consistency and quality across all locations. These Operating Assets include food and beverage products, initial restaurant equipment, furniture, fixtures, supplies, décor, small wares, branded merchandise, point-of-sale systems, digital menu boards, game room card readers, computer systems, delivery vehicles, third-party delivery services, construction contractors, marketing materials, and insurance. Franchisees must also make improvements to their Restaurant premises, equipment (including computer hardware and software), game room equipment, signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, supplies, and other products and materials required for the operation of your Restaurant, to Cicis's then current System Standards.