Do photocopies of the Cicis Veterans Incentive Program Addendum have the same force as originals?

According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, photocopies of the Veteran's Incentive Program Addendum have the same legal effect as the original document. This applies to both the Area Development Agreement and the Franchise Agreement versions of the addendum. This also means that electronically executed copies are considered valid.

This clause simplifies the administrative process, as franchisees and Cicis do not need to exchange and store only original documents. Copies, whether physical or electronic, are legally sufficient. This is especially relevant in a franchise system where multiple agreements and addenda may be executed over time.

However, franchisees should still maintain organized records of all executed documents, including the originals if possible. While photocopies are legally binding, having the original can be beneficial for auditing or in case any dispute arises where the authenticity of a copy is questioned. Franchisees should also ensure that any scanned or electronic copies are clear and complete to avoid any future discrepancies.