What rights does Cicis have regarding the telephone numbers and business listings for a Cicis Restaurant?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must, at your expense, place in your Restaurant's local market area all business listings in such directories (including internet listings) and categories as we require from time to time.
Any amount you pay for such business listings will be in addition to your other marketing requirements under this Agreement.
We have established, or may establish, and maintain a website that provides information about the System and the products that Cicis Restaurants provide ("Cicis Website").
We have sole discretion and control over the Cicis Website (including timing, design, contents, and continuation).
We may (but are not required to) include at the Cicis Website an interior page containing information about your Restaurant.
You agree to provide us any current information we request in order to do so.
J. Branded E-mail. We reserve the right to require you to obtain from us and use an e-mail address associated with our registered domain name. If we require you to obtain and use an e-mail address, you must do so according to our then-current System Standards. You acknowledge and agree that we will have unrestricted access to all such e-mail accounts, and all documents, data, materials, and messages shared from or by such accounts. We may deactivate any such account or limit your or your users' access to it at any time. You acknowledge and agree that you will use such e-mail address only in connection with the operation of your Restaurant and in compliance with all Laws.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for placing all required business listings in the local market area of their restaurant, including internet directories, at their own expense. The specific directories and categories for these listings will be those required by Cicis from time to time. The costs associated with these business listings are in addition to any other marketing obligations the franchisee has under the Franchise Agreement.
Cicis also maintains the right to establish and control the Cicis Website, which provides information about the Cicis system and its products. While Cicis has the option to include a page on the website with information about the franchisee's restaurant, they are not obligated to do so. If Cicis chooses to include the franchisee's restaurant on the website, the franchisee must provide any current information requested by Cicis.
Furthermore, Cicis reserves the right to require franchisees to use an email address associated with Cicis's registered domain name. If required, franchisees must adhere to Cicis's system standards for email usage. Cicis retains unrestricted access to these email accounts and may deactivate them or limit access at any time. Franchisees are only permitted to use the assigned email address for restaurant-related operations and in compliance with all applicable laws.
In summary, while the franchisee is responsible for local business listings, Cicis maintains control over the brand's online presence and has the right to manage email communications associated with the Cicis brand. This allows Cicis to maintain a consistent brand image and communication strategy across all franchise locations.