Cicis®
What Is Cicis?
Cicis is a pizza franchise offering two distinct restaurant concepts: Cicis Buffet Restaurants, which feature an unlimited buffet and à la carte dine-in menu, and Cicis To Go Restaurants, which focus on take-out, catering, and delivery. Primary service channels include dine-in (for buffet locations), carry-out, catering, and online delivery. The business model includes revenue from catering services and potential alcohol sales. Locations are determined based on premises size and type, with no specified typical location type in the provided text.
Cicis Franchise: Pros and Cons
This franchise offers a $15,000 entry fee-roughly half the industry average-and strong training support, but total startup costs can reach $2.07 million, placing it in the top 10% of all industries for capital requirements.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
Cicis reported material legal proceedings. Part 1: In the Gala Action, a jury found the franchisor's majority co-owner liable for breach of fiduciary duty, resulting in a $15.8 million judgment against him, which is under appeal. Cicis also filed three suits in 2025 to recover outstanding payments from franchisees and one to enforce post-termination obligations, indicating active enforcement of system standards. Part 2: Prospective franchisees should review the franchisor's corporate governance and ownership structure to understand potential conflicts of interest, and examine franchisee payment obligations and post-termination duties in the franchise agreement.
Territory Protection
Cicis grants franchisees a protected area for a single location, contingent on meeting performance quotas. The franchisor retains the right to develop additional units in the surrounding market, sell via e-commerce/alternative channels, and operate under different trademarks or in alternative venues, limiting exclusivity.
Training & Support
Cicis provides a comprehensive 300-hour training curriculum designed to prepare the franchisee for launch. The program includes on-site training for operational readiness, with travel and living expenses managed by the franchisee.
Franchisee Stability
Cicis earns a Good Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 3.16% sits below the typical Food & Beverage franchise (around 5.5%). Out of 24 total exits across the three reported years, ceased operations dominated with 13, alongside 5 terminations, 4 non-renewals, and 2 franchisor buybacks.
The dominance of ceased operations across the reporting period suggests location-level economics are the main driver - operators chose to close underperforming stores rather than system-wide friction, and with about 245 franchised outlets in the most recent year, the system's turnover rate is below the industry average, indicating that while some locations have struggled, overall retention is solid. For prospective franchisees, examine unit-level economics in the geographies where closures have concentrated.
Unit Growth Analysis
Cicis has been shrinking, dropping from 273 to 267 units over three years, which means the system is losing more locations than it’s adding. For a new owner, this isn’t a growth story-it’s a stability play, where you’re buying into a mature brand that’s likely shedding underperforming stores rather than expanding into fresh territory. The accelerating negative growth rate suggests the franchisor is focused on pruning weak links, so your success depends on whether you can grab a prime, protected market that’s already proven its legs.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Cicis Franchise?
Opening a Cicis franchise requires a total initial investment of $757,647 to $2,074,699, according to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.
Minimum Investment
Maximum Investment
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Maximum Investment Breakdown
Investment Analysis
This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.
The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cicis a good franchise to own?
Whether Cicis is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2026 FDD: Cicis operates 267 locations, received a legal risk score of 65/100, a training and support score of 100/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Is a Cicis franchise worth the investment?
The value of a Cicis franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $757,647 to $2,074,699. Cicis disclosed average gross sales of $1,439,231 in 2026. The system reported 1 terminated units in 2026. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.
What is the failure rate of Cicis franchises?
In the 2026 FDD, Cicis reported 1 terminated franchises and 3 non-renewals out of 267 total locations. Franchise closures can result from many factors including market conditions, operator decisions, lease expirations, and franchisor enforcement actions. The FDD's Item 20 provides the most detailed unit turnover data.
How long does it take to break even with a Cicis franchise?
Break-even timelines for Cicis franchises are not disclosed in the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.
Is Cicis a franchise or a corporate-owned business?
As of the 2026 FDD, Cicis operates 248 franchised locations and 19 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.
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