In what manner and format will the Cicis Manuals be delivered or made available?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
During the Term, we will provide you with access to our manuals applicable to the development and operation of Cicis Restaurants (collectively, the "Manuals").
We will determine the content of the Manuals, the frequency in which it may be updated, and the manner and format in which it is delivered or made available to you.
The Manuals may contain both mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures and rules that we periodically prescribe for operating Cicis Restaurants and other specifications, standards and policies we may periodically suggest, and information on your other obligations under this Agreement (the "System Standards"), and other suggested specifications, standards and procedures.
We may periodically modify the Manuals, including in the form of memoranda and newsletters, to reflect changes in System Standards.
Our master copy of the Manuals is the controlling copy.
The Manuals and any passwords and access credentials are part of our Confidential Information (defined below) and must be protected against improper use and disclosure.
You may disclose the Manuals to your employees who need to know its contents provided they are themselves bound by written obligations of confidentiality.
You may not at any time copy, duplicate, record, or otherwise reproduce, distribute or publish any part of the Manuals or use its contents in any other business.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the method and format for delivering or making available the Cicis manuals will be determined by Cicis. These manuals, which apply to the development and operation of Cicis restaurants, will be accessible to franchisees during the term of their agreement.
The manuals contain mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures, and rules that Cicis periodically prescribes for operating Cicis Restaurants. They also include other suggested specifications, standards, and policies, as well as information on the franchisee's obligations under the Franchise Agreement, collectively known as the System Standards. Cicis may periodically modify the manuals, including through memoranda and newsletters, to reflect changes in System Standards.
The master copy of the manuals is the controlling copy, and the manuals, along with any passwords and access credentials, are considered confidential information. Franchisees must protect this information against improper use and disclosure. Franchisees are allowed to disclose the manuals to their employees who need to know the contents, provided those employees are bound by written obligations of confidentiality. However, franchisees are prohibited from copying, duplicating, recording, reproducing, distributing, or publishing any part of the manuals or using their contents in any other business.
This arrangement is fairly typical in franchising, where franchisors maintain tight control over their operating systems and protect their intellectual property. Prospective Cicis franchisees should be aware that they will be bound by the contents of these manuals and any updates to them, and that failure to comply with System Standards could result in penalties or termination of the franchise agreement.