Does Cicis waive the franchisee's obligation to satisfy post-term obligations after the expiration of the original franchise agreement if the franchisee continues operating the Restaurant?

According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee continues to operate the Restaurant after the expiration of the original franchise agreement, Cicis waives the franchisee's obligation to satisfy the post-term obligations outlined in Section 18 of the original franchise agreement. This waiver is contingent upon the franchisee entering into a New Franchise Agreement with Cicis. The New Franchise Agreement governs the ownership and operation of the Restaurant from the effective date forward.

This waiver is part of an addendum to the New Franchise Agreement, acknowledging that the original agreement has expired and the new one now controls the franchise's operation. However, the franchisee remains responsible for any obligations under the original agreement that naturally survive termination, such as indemnification as described in Section 15.

In practical terms, this means that if a Cicis franchisee renews their agreement, they won't be subject to the usual requirements that apply when a franchise agreement ends, such as ceasing to use Cicis's trademarks or trade secrets, provided they continue operating under the new agreement. This can simplify the renewal process for existing franchisees, as it removes the burden of complying with post-termination obligations that would otherwise apply.