What is the name of the direct parent company of Cicis?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of CiCi Acquisition Company, LLC ("CAC"); CAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of CiCi Enterprises, LP ("CiCi Enterprises"); CiCi Enterprises is a subsidiary of Smiley Slice, LLC ("Smiley Slice"); and Smiley Slice is a subsidiary of Sunil D. Dharod Revocable Trust ("Trust"). CAC, CiCi Enterprises, Smiley Slice and Trust, each share our principal address.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 6–8)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the direct parent company of the franchisor, On Smile LLC, is CiCi Acquisition Company, LLC ("CAC"). The document further clarifies the ownership structure, indicating that CAC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CiCi Enterprises, LP, which in turn is a subsidiary of Smiley Slice, LLC. Finally, Smiley Slice is a subsidiary of Sunil D. Dharod Revocable Trust. All these entities share the same principal address as On Smile LLC.
This multi-layered structure means that while CiCi Acquisition Company, LLC directly owns On Smile LLC, there are several layers of ownership above it. This type of structure is not uncommon in franchising, as it can provide certain legal and financial benefits to the parent companies. However, for a prospective franchisee, it's important to understand this structure to assess the overall financial stability and potential long-term commitment of the Cicis franchise system.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that the financial health and business decisions of these parent entities could indirectly impact the Cicis franchise. While the FDD provides this ownership information, further due diligence, including consulting with a franchise attorney and financial advisor, is recommended to fully understand the implications of this corporate structure.