What parts of the leased premises is the Cicis tenant responsible for maintaining?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Landlord must maintain in good working order (i) the Shopping Center (other than leased tenant spaces), including the Common Areas and other improvements; (ii) the roof, foundation, exterior walls and other load-bearing elements of the Leased Premises (but not any exterior plate glass or exterior doors which will be Tenant's responsibility); (iii) any condition to the Leased Premises caused by any act or omission of Landlord or its contractors, employees or agents; and (iv) all utility lines and sprinkler systems to the point of entry to the Leased Premises and all such lines, pipes or conduits within the Leased Premises if serving more than the Leased Premises or covered by structural elements of the Leased Premises not constructed by Tenant.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, the tenant is responsible for maintaining the exterior plate glass and exterior doors of the leased premises. The landlord is responsible for maintaining the roof, foundation, exterior walls, and other load-bearing elements of the leased premises. The landlord is also responsible for maintaining utility lines and sprinkler systems up to their entry point into the leased premises, as well as any such lines, pipes, or conduits within the premises that serve more than just the leased space or are covered by structural elements not constructed by the tenant.
This division of maintenance responsibilities is typical in commercial leases, where the landlord retains responsibility for the structural integrity of the building while the tenant handles more cosmetic or easily replaceable elements. This arrangement ensures that the landlord maintains control over major repairs that could affect the entire building, while the tenant can quickly address issues specific to their space.
For a prospective Cicis franchisee, this means they will need to budget for the upkeep and potential replacement of exterior glass and doors. While these may seem like minor expenses, damage to these elements can impact the restaurant's appearance and security. It is important for the franchisee to understand the condition of these items at the start of the lease and negotiate terms that address any existing issues. Additionally, the franchisee should confirm that their insurance coverage adequately protects against potential damage to these elements.