What triggers the Post-Termination / Post-Expiration De-identification Costs for a Cicis franchise?
Cicis Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Fee(1) | Amount | Due Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Termination / Post-Expiration De-identification Costs | Actual cost incurred by us | As incurred | If you fail to de-identify after the franchise terminates or expires, we may make the necessary changes at your expense. |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 14–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee will incur Post-Termination / Post-Expiration De-identification Costs if they fail to de-identify their restaurant after the franchise agreement terminates or expires. These costs cover Cicis's expenses to make the necessary changes to remove Cicis branding and trademarks from the former franchise location.
In practical terms, this means that when a Cicis franchise agreement ends, either through termination or expiration of its term, the franchisee is obligated to remove all Cicis branding from the restaurant. This includes signage, logos, and any other materials that identify the location as a Cicis franchise. If the franchisee does not fulfill this obligation, Cicis has the right to step in and handle the de-identification process themselves.
The franchisee is then responsible for covering the actual costs incurred by Cicis for this de-identification work. The FDD does not provide an estimate of these costs, as they would likely vary depending on the extent of branding at the location and the specific actions required to remove it. This is a potentially significant expense that a franchisee should be aware of when considering the franchise agreement and its eventual conclusion.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review the franchise agreement to understand the specific requirements for de-identification and the potential costs involved. It would be prudent to discuss this issue with Cicis during the due diligence process to gain a clearer understanding of what is expected and how to minimize these costs upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement.