Before purchasing any Operating Asset from a supplier, what written approval is required from Cicis?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We must approve any supplier in writing before you purchase any Operating Asset from such supplier. Our grant or denial of approval to use a particular supplier is based in part on our determination of whether the supplier and its products meet or exceed our strict specifications and standards for reliability. We will not be required to consider an alternative to any supplier that we have designated as the sole supplier of a particular product or service. With that exception, if you wish to purchase, lease, or use any Operating Asset from a supplier we have not approved, you must submit a written request for approval, or must ask the supplier to do so. You must permit our representatives to inspect the supplier's facilities and that samples from the supplier be delivered to us or to an independent laboratory for testing. You or the supplier must pay the cost of the inspection and the cost of the test. This procedure does not obligate us to approve any particular supplier. We will notify you of our approval or disapproval of any proposed supplier within 15 days after we complete our inspection and evaluation process. We reserve the right to re-inspect the facilities and products of any approved supplier and to revoke our approval if the supplier fails to continue to meet our standards. We may revoke our approval of any supplier at any time and may designate ourselves, our affiliate, or a third party as the exclusive source for any particular item. We do not provide our criteria for approving the suppliers to our franchisees.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 25–28)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must obtain written approval from Cicis before purchasing any Operating Asset from a supplier. This approval is based on Cicis's determination of whether the supplier and its products meet the franchisor's specifications and standards for reliability.
If a franchisee wishes to purchase, lease, or use any Operating Asset from a supplier that Cicis has not already approved, the franchisee must submit a written request for approval, or ask the supplier to do so. The franchisee must also allow Cicis's representatives to inspect the supplier's facilities and provide samples for testing, with the franchisee or supplier covering the costs of inspection and testing. However, Cicis is not obligated to approve any particular supplier.
Cicis will notify the franchisee of its decision within 15 days after completing the inspection and evaluation process. Cicis retains the right to re-inspect approved suppliers and revoke approval if they no longer meet the required standards. Cicis can also revoke approval at any time and designate itself, its affiliate, or a third party as the exclusive source for any item. This process ensures that all suppliers meet Cicis's standards, but it also gives Cicis significant control over the supply chain and purchasing decisions of its franchisees.