Who owns the Cicis Manuals, according to the franchise agreement?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cicis retains ownership and control over the content of its Manuals. The FDD states that Cicis 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 the franchisee. The master copy of the Manuals is the controlling copy.
These manuals contain the System Standards, which include mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures, and rules that Cicis periodically prescribes for operating Cicis Restaurants, as well as other suggested specifications, standards, and procedures. Cicis may periodically modify the Manuals, including in the form of memoranda and newsletters, to reflect changes in System Standards.
The Manuals and any passwords and access credentials are part of Cicis's Confidential Information and must be protected against improper use and disclosure. Franchisees may disclose the Manuals to their employees who need to know its contents, provided they are themselves bound by written obligations of confidentiality. However, franchisees 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.
This means that as a Cicis franchisee, you are granted access to the Manuals during the term of your agreement, but you do not own them. You must keep the contents confidential and adhere to any updates or modifications made by Cicis. Failure to comply with these standards could result in a breach of the franchise agreement.