What are Cicis' Marketing Programs designed to promote?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may, from time to time, develop and administer marketing and sales promotion programs designed to promote and enhance the collective success of all Cicis Restaurants, including national, regional, or local programs and limited time offers (each an "LTO") that promote the brand, particular products, or gift cards and other loyalty programs (the "Marketing Programs").
You will participate in all such Marketing Programs, at your expense, in accordance with the terms and conditions we establish for each program.
- (1) All products we require you to offer under any mandatory LTO (or the ingredients for such products) will be automatically shipped to you by our designated supplier within 10 days following the announcement of the LTO unless, within such 10-day period, you have placed an order for the required products (or the ingredients for such products) with our designated supplier in quantities sufficient to satisfy our requirements for the LTO.
If you order less than the required amount, our designated supplier will automatically ship the balance to you.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, you shall be responsible for cost and expenses associated with your purchase or automatic supply by our designated suppliers of the products (or the ingredients for such products) and services required by you to offer any LTO.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Marketing Programs are designed to promote and enhance the collective success of all Cicis Restaurants. These programs include national, regional, or local initiatives, as well as limited time offers (LTOs) that promote the brand, specific products, or gift cards and other loyalty programs. Franchisees are required to participate in all Marketing Programs at their own expense, following the terms and conditions established by Cicis for each program.
Cicis may require franchisees to offer specific products under mandatory LTOs, which will be automatically shipped by designated suppliers within 10 days of the LTO announcement, unless the franchisee has already placed a sufficient order. The franchisee is responsible for all costs associated with these products. Additionally, franchisees must contribute 5% of their Restaurant's Net Sales to the Marketing Fund and spend at least 1% of Net Sales on approved local marketing programs. If a restaurant is within a marketing cooperative, contributions to the cooperative are also mandatory.
The Marketing Fund is used to promote Cicis Restaurants, the System, and the Marks generally, as well as to develop tools and technology to advance these objectives. Cicis has sole discretion over the programs conducted, sponsored, or funded by the Fund, including the approval of creative concepts, materials, media, vendors, and strategies. Cicis may also aggregate or re-allocate a franchisee's Fund Contributions, Local Marketing Spend, and Minimum Cooperative Contributions to various marketing vehicles as needed.
These marketing obligations ensure that all Cicis franchisees contribute to a unified brand image and participate in coordinated promotional efforts. While participation in these programs is mandatory, franchisees also have some autonomy in local marketing, provided their efforts are approved by Cicis. The financial obligations, including the 5% contribution to the Marketing Fund and the 1% local marketing spend, represent a significant ongoing cost for franchisees and should be carefully considered.