Who is responsible for the reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Cicis in connection with the compliance review of the proposed lease?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must have a lease compliance review by an attorney we approve or designate, and you will be responsible for the reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by us in connection with the compliance review of the proposed lease.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for the reasonable attorney's fees that Cicis incurs during the compliance review of the proposed lease. Before signing a lease or contract of sale for the location, the franchisee must provide Cicis with a copy of the proposed contract for approval. Cicis will then have a reasonable time to review and approve the document.
This means that a prospective Cicis franchisee will need to budget for these legal fees in addition to other startup costs. The FDD does not specify the estimated amount of these legal fees, so it would be prudent for a potential franchisee to discuss this expense with Cicis to get an estimate.
Furthermore, the franchisee is also responsible for Cicis's legal fees for compliance reviews of any lease modifications, amendments, or renewals. This obligation extends throughout the term of the franchise agreement, so it is not just a one-time cost during the initial setup.