Are there any exceptions to the jury trial waiver in the Cicis franchise agreement?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (2) WE AND YOU AND YOUR OWNERS HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IN ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS BETWEEN US AND YOU AND YOUR OWNERS AND OUR AND YOUR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cicis Franchise Disclosure Document, both Cicis as the franchisor, and the franchisee, along with their owners, waive their rights to a jury trial. This waiver applies to any legal action that arises from or is connected to the franchise agreement or any other agreements between Cicis and the franchisee, including their respective affiliates.
This means that any disputes between Cicis and a franchisee will be resolved by a judge rather than a jury. Jury trial waivers are relatively common in franchise agreements. Franchise systems often prefer to avoid juries because they may be less predictable or more sympathetic to individual franchisees than to the larger corporation.
A prospective Cicis franchisee should understand that they are giving up the right to have a jury hear their case if a dispute arises. This could impact the strategy and potential outcomes of any legal action taken against the franchisor. Franchisees should consult with an attorney to fully understand the implications of this waiver before signing the agreement.