Are the Cicis Manuals considered Confidential Information?

According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, the Cicis manuals are considered Confidential Information. The FDD specifies that the manuals, along with any passwords and access credentials, are part of Cicis' Confidential Information and must be protected against improper use and disclosure. Franchisees are permitted to disclose the manuals to their employees who need to know the contents, but only if those employees are bound by written obligations of confidentiality.

This means a Cicis franchisee must take precautions to secure both physical and electronic copies of the manuals, restricting access to only those employees who require the information to perform their duties. Moreover, these employees must sign a confidentiality agreement to protect Cicis' interests. The franchisee cannot copy, duplicate, record, reproduce, distribute, or publish any part of the manuals or use their contents in any other business.

Cicis retains the right to modify the manuals periodically, including through memoranda and newsletters, to reflect changes in System Standards. Franchisees are expressly required to comply with each new or changed standard. In the event of any dispute regarding the contents of the manuals, the terms of the master copy maintained by Cicis will control. This underscores the importance of franchisees staying updated with the latest versions of the manuals and adhering to Cicis' standards.

This confidentiality requirement is a common practice in franchising, designed to protect the franchisor's proprietary information and maintain consistency across all franchise locations. By safeguarding the manuals, Cicis aims to preserve its competitive advantage and ensure that franchisees operate according to the established System Standards.