What is the obligation of a Cicis franchisee regarding personnel training?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
d initial training. If the initial training program is not satisfactorily completed by any such person, or if we, in our reasonable business judgment, based upon the performance of such person, determine that the training program cannot be satisfactorily completed by such person, we will notify you, and you must take appropriate corrective measures, within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days.
- F. Training and Assistance. You agree that it is necessary to the continued operation of the System and your Restaurant that your personnel receive the training we require. Accordingly, in addition to the training requirements set forth in Sections 5.D and 5.E above, you agree as follows:
- (1) We will conduct training at any Cicis Restaurants that we or our affiliates operate or at other Cicis Restaurants or other location(s) we designate, which may be operated by other Cicis franchisees. If this Agreement is for your or your affiliates' first or second Restaurant, we will provide instructors and training materials for the initial training program at no additional charge to you, other than the expenses described in Section 5.F(5) below. We reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee for any initial training provided to a replacement or successor personnel designated in Sections 5.D and 5.E above, and to any initial, replacement, or successor personnel of any additional Cicis Restaurant you establish.
- (2) The persons identified in Sections 5.D and 5.E above and such other personnel at your Restaurant as we designate must attend such additional training programs and seminars as we may require from time to time. For all such programs and seminars, we will provide the instructors and training materials. However, we reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee for such additional training programs and seminars.
- (3) In connection with the opening of your Restaurant, we may provide you with on-site opening assistance we deem necessary. The number of trained representatives providing such
assistance and the time period for which such assistance will be provided will be determined by us based on the number of Cicis Restaurants you and your affiliates operate and our assessment of your operational requirements. You will not be required to pay a fee or reimburse our expenses for on-site opening assistance if this Agreement is for your (or your affiliates') first or second Restaurant. If this Agreement is for your (or your affiliates') third or subsequent Restaurant, at our request, you must pay or reimburse us for the expenses we incur to provide such assistance, such as the cost of travel, lodging, and meals.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must ensure their personnel receive the training that Cicis requires to maintain the System's standards. Cicis will conduct training programs at Cicis Restaurants operated by them or their affiliates, or at other designated locations, potentially operated by other Cicis franchisees. For a franchisee's first or second restaurant, Cicis will provide instructors and training materials for the initial training program at no additional charge, aside from the franchisee covering expenses like travel, lodging, meals, and wages for their personnel. However, Cicis reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for initial training provided to replacement or successor personnel, as well as for personnel of any additional Cicis Restaurant the franchisee establishes.
The General Manager and Assistant Managers must complete the initial training program to Cicis's satisfaction no later than 15 days before the restaurant's opening date, or within a reasonable time after their appointment if they are successors or replacements. Cicis has the sole discretion to determine if these managers have satisfactorily completed the training. If Cicis determines that an individual has not satisfactorily completed the training or cannot do so based on their performance, the franchisee must take appropriate corrective measures within 30 days.
Cicis may also require designated personnel to attend additional training programs and seminars, providing instructors and training materials for these sessions. However, Cicis reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for these additional programs and seminars. Franchisees are generally responsible for all expenses, including travel, lodging, meals, and wages, incurred by their personnel in connection with any training program, whether initial or subsequent, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Cicis retains the right to supplement or replace in-person training with online modules for any training program or conferences.
In practical terms, this means a Cicis franchisee must budget for ongoing training costs for their staff, including potential fees for training programs and all travel-related expenses. They must also ensure their General Manager and Assistant Managers are adequately trained before the restaurant opens. The franchisee needs to stay informed about required additional training programs and seminars and factor in the associated costs. The discretion Cicis holds in determining satisfactory completion of training and the potential for required corrective actions underscores the importance of carefully selecting and preparing management staff.