What is the maximum amount a Cicis franchisee can expect to pay for impact fees?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
CICIS BUFFET RESTAURANT**
| Type of Expenditure (Note 1) | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (Note 2) | $30,000 | Lump sum | On Execution | Us |
| Leasehold Improvements (Note 3) | $325,080 - $348,725 | As arranged | As invoiced | Landlord / Third-Party Suppliers |
| Equipment and Supplies | $80,000 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| for Game Room (Note 4) | $250,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Impact Fees | $0 - | As arranged | As assessed | Local Authorities |
| (Note 5) | $20,000 | |||
| Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures (Note 6) | $163,752 – $217,000 | Lump sum or as arranged | As invoiced | Our Affiliate / Third Party Suppliers |
| Signage and Graphics (Note 7) | $11,464 – $19,600 | Lump sum | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Insurance (Note 8) | $500 - $2,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Business Licenses (Note | $1,000 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| 9) | $4,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Opening Inventory/ Supplies (Note 10) | $28,419 - $34,428 | Lump sum or as arranged | As invoiced | Our Affiliate / Third Party Suppliers |
| Promotional | $10,000 - | As arranged | As incurred | Third-Party |
| Expenses (Note 11) | $15,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Training Costs (Note 12) | $10,750 - $36,000 | As arranged | As needed | Third-Party Suppliers / Employees / Us |
| Deposits and other Pre Opening Costs (Note 13) | $9,000 - $17,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Additional Funds | $25,000 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| (3 months) | $45,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Type of Expenditure (Note 1) | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TOTALS | $694,965 - $1,038,753 |
YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT FOR A CICIS TO GO RESTAURANT
| Type of Expenditure (Note 1) | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (Note | $15,000 | Lump sum | On | Us |
| 2) | Execution | |||
| Leasehold Improvements | $76,600 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Landlord / |
| (Note 3) | $183,725 | Suppliers | ||
| Impact Fees (Note 5) | $0 - $5,000 | As arranged | As assessed | Local Authorities |
| Equipment Furniture and Fixtures (Note 6) | $87,586 - $114,473 | Lump sum or as arranged | As invoiced | JMC / Suppliers |
| Signage and Graphics | $5,000 - | Lump sum | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| (Note 7) | $10,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Insurance (Note 8) | $375 - $2,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Business Licenses (Note 9) | $1,000 - $3,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Opening Inventory/ | $21,025 - | Lump sum | As incurred | JMC / Suppliers |
| Supplies (Note 10) | $27,034 | |||
| Promotional | $10,000 - | As arranged | As incurred | Third-Party |
| Expenses (Note 11) | $15,000 | Suppliers | ||
| Training Costs (Note 12) | $7,500 - $29,000 | As arranged | As incurred | Third-Party Suppliers / Employees /Us |
| Deposits and other Pre Opening Costs (Note 13) | $8,000 - $19,000 | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party Suppliers |
| Additional Funds | $10,000 - | As arranged | As invoiced | Third-Party |
| (3 months) (Note 14) | $15,000 | Suppliers | ||
| TOTALS | $242,086 - $438,232 |
Notes to the 2 preceding charts:
-
- All fees payable to us and our affiliates are not refundable. Whether any of the other payments are refundable will depend on the arrangement between you and the supplier.
-
- If a Franchise Agreement is signed pursuant to an Area Development Agreement, we will apply the development fee, in increments of $15,000 ($10,000 if you participate in the Development Incentive Program), toward the payment of initial franchise fees. Your initial
franchise fee will be reduced to (i) $5,000 under the Franchise Agreements executed pursuant to the Reopen Incentive Program;
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT FOR A CICIS BUFFET RESTAURANT (FDD pages 21–25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the maximum impact fees can vary significantly depending on the restaurant type. For a Cicis Buffet Restaurant, impact fees can reach up to $20,000, while for a Cicis To Go Restaurant, they may reach up to $5,000. However, the FDD also notes that in some areas, these fees may substantially exceed $10,000 for a Cicis Buffet Restaurant and $5,000 for a Cicis To Go Restaurant. Impact fees are paid to local authorities.
Impact fees are assessed by local jurisdictions based on predetermined formulas, typically related to the expected impact of the restaurant on local infrastructure. This includes factors like traffic, water, and sewer systems. These fees are part of the initial investment required to start the franchise and must be considered when planning the financial aspects of opening a Cicis restaurant.
Prospective franchisees should investigate the specific impact fee amounts in their desired location to get a more accurate estimate of their initial investment. Since these fees can vary widely, understanding the local regulations and fee structures is crucial for financial planning. Franchisees should also consult with Cicis to understand any potential variations or specific requirements related to impact fees in their area.