Does Cicis have the right to change the authorized menu items that a franchisee may offer?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Under the Franchise Agreement, you agree that you will: (1) offer and sell from your Cicis Restaurant all of the products and services that we specify at our discretion; (2) not offer or sell at your Cicis Restaurant, the Restaurant premises or any other location any products or services we have not authorized; and (3) discontinue selling and offering for sale any products or services that we at any time disapprove. We have the right to change the authorized menu items and other goods or services that you may offer, and there is no limit to our right to make such changes.
We may, at our discretion, set a maximum or minimum price that you may charge for products and services offered by your Cicis Restaurant. If we impose such a maximum or minimum price for any product or service, you may charge any price for the product or service up to and including our designated maximum price or down to and including our designated minimum price. The designated maximum and minimum prices for the same product or service may, at our option, be the same. For any product or service for which we do not impose a maximum or minimum price, we may require you to comply with an advertising policy adopted by us which will prohibit you from advertising any price for a product or service that is different than our suggested retail
price. Although you must comply with any advertising policy we adopt, you will not be prohibited from selling any product or service at a price above or below the suggested retail price unless we impose a maximum price or minimum price for such product or service.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD pages 44–45)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cicis retains significant control over the menu and product offerings at its franchised restaurants. Cicis has the right to specify which products and services franchisees must offer, and conversely, prohibit the sale of any unauthorized items. This includes the ability to discontinue any products or services at any time. Practically, this means that a franchisee must adhere to Cicis's directives regarding the menu, and cannot independently decide to add or remove items without approval.
The FDD emphasizes that Cicis has the right to change the authorized menu items and other goods or services a franchisee may offer, and this right is unlimited. This allows Cicis to adapt to market trends, introduce new products, or remove underperforming items across the franchise system. For a franchisee, this means they must be prepared to implement menu changes as directed by Cicis, which could involve additional costs for new equipment, ingredients, or training.
Cicis also has the discretion to set maximum or minimum prices for products and services. If Cicis does not set a price range, they may require compliance with an advertising policy that prohibits advertising prices different from their suggested retail price. While franchisees are generally not prohibited from selling above or below the suggested retail price, Cicis can impose maximum or minimum prices, giving them substantial control over pricing strategies.
Overall, these stipulations in the Franchise Agreement provide Cicis with considerable authority over the products, services, and pricing at franchised locations. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these restrictions and ensure they are comfortable with Cicis's level of control before investing in a franchise.