What are the 'Manuals' that Cicis provides access to during the term of the agreement?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ritten approval.
B. Improvements and Modernization. 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.
C. Manuals. 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.
D. System Standards and Specifications. You understand the importance of maintaining uniformity among all of the Cicis Restaurants and the importance of complying with all of our standards, specifications, policies, and procedures relating to the operation of your Restaurant and, therefore, agree to comply with all System Standards as they exist from time to time. Though we retain the right to establish and periodically modify System Standards, you retain the right and sole responsibility for the day-to-day management and operation of your Restaurant and the implementation and maintenance of System Standards at your Restaurant. System Standards may regulate any aspect of the operation and maintenance of your Restaurant, including, but not limited to, any one or more of the following:
- (1) sales, marketing, advertising and promotional programs and materials and media used in these programs;
(2) staffing levels for your Restaurant and employee qualifications, dress, and appearance (although employee selection and promotion, hours worked, rates of pay and other benefits, work assigned and working conditions are your sole responsibility);
(3) use and display of the Marks;
(4) days and hours of operation;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, during the term of the franchise agreement, Cicis will provide franchisees with access to manuals applicable to the development and operation of Cicis restaurants, which are collectively referred to as the "Manuals." The content of the Manuals, the frequency of updates, and the delivery format are determined by Cicis. These Manuals may include mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures, and rules that Cicis periodically prescribes for operating Cicis Restaurants, as well as other suggested specifications, standards, and policies. These mandatory items are referred to as "System Standards".
The Manuals may be modified periodically, including through memoranda and newsletters, to reflect changes in System Standards. The master copy of the Manuals maintained by Cicis is the controlling copy. The Manuals, along with any passwords and access credentials, are considered Confidential Information and must be protected against improper use and disclosure. Franchisees are allowed to disclose the Manuals to their employees who need to know the contents, provided that these employees are bound by written obligations of confidentiality.
Franchisees are prohibited from copying, duplicating, recording, reproducing, distributing, or publishing any part of the Manuals, or using their contents in any other business. Franchisees must operate their restaurant in accordance with the Manuals, other written directives issued by Cicis, and any other materials created or approved for use in the restaurant's operation. The Manuals form part of Cicis's Confidential Information and remain Cicis's sole property. Any physical copies of the Manuals must be kept in a secure place on the restaurant premises, and both physical and electronic copies may only be accessible to owners and employees who have signed a confidentiality agreement.