CiCi's Pizza Launches Patriot Program to Expand Veteran Franchise Ownership

COPPELL, Texas, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet starting at $4.99, announced today the launch of the CiCi's Patriot Program to offer veterans a path to business ownership. Through the CiCi's Patriot Program, the company will waive its franchise fee for the first restaurant and offer a 50 percent royalty fee reduction for the first full year in operation for all qualified, honorably discharged U.S. veterans. This totals to an approximate savings of $58,000.

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"We are very thankful to the brave soldiers who put their lives at risk and sacrificed so much to serve and protect our country," said Bill Spae, chief development officer at CiCi's Pizza. "To express our gratitude and deepen our brand's commitment to veterans, we have developed one of the industry's best, most comprehensive veteran's franchise incentive programs."

Veterans enrolled in the CiCi's Patriot Program are required to hire a manager who is also an honorably discharged veteran in an effort to create more jobs for the veteran community. Additionally, CiCi's Pizza will support the veteran franchisee to obtain his or her Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation through the International Franchise Association (IFA). CiCi's has also agreed to support Sprigster's "Boost a Hero" program, the nation's only crowdfunding platform focused exclusively on franchise, to further help veterans raise the necessary capital needed to gain business ownership.

"As a veteran and CiCi's Pizza franchisee, I am proud to be a part of a company that is dedicated to helping more veterans succeed in the civilian and business community," said George Cox, CiCi's Pizza Coachella, Calif. franchisee. "Since opening my first restaurant last year, I have found that the strong leadership skills and work ethic I acquired while in the military transitioned to being a business owner. The new CiCi's Patriot Program presents an opportunity to explore franchising as a career path and I hope more veterans take advantage of it and join our CiCi's family."

CiCi's Pizza recently announced its 2012 growth plans to continue its Build the Brand growth initiative to add 500 new restaurants by 2020. From inquiry to opening, CiCi's Pizza's seasoned executives provide an unparalleled level of support. Qualified franchisees benefit from a 2-to-1 sales-to-investment ratio, demonstrating that CiCi's Pizza is a predictable, measurable and sustainable investment opportunity.

The company is actively seeking multi-unit and single-unit operators to help grow the brand in Southern California, the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and South Florida, as well as select cities in Texas and other regions across the U.S.

"The CiCi's Pizza Patriot Program combines franchise ownership opportunities with jobs and training for veterans," said Steve Caldeira, President & CEO of the International Franchise Association. "As a sponsor of VetFran, CiCi's Pizza is helping to strengthen our industry and the U.S. economy, as well as doing the right thing for our veterans and our nation."

Candidates interested in opening a CiCi's Pizza restaurant should posses a passion for the brand and serving guests and families in a fast-paced environment. Franchisees are required to demonstrate a minimum of $250,000 in liquid capital, a net worth of $750,000 per unit, and a credit score of 700 or better. For more information on franchising, visit http://www.cicispizza.com/franchising or call 972-745-9316.

About CiCi's Pizza
Coppell, Texas-based CiCi's Pizza opened its first restaurant in Plano, Texas in 1985, and is now one of the nation's fastest growing pizza chains. The family-oriented restaurant, known for its pizza, pasta, salad, soup and dessert buffet, has about 600 restaurants in 35 states. In 2011, Zagat recognized CiCi's on its list of most child-friendly fast-food chains, and Entrepreneur named CiCi's first in its category on the Franchise 500 list. In 2010, CiCi's was named to Inc. Magazine's top 5,000 list, and to Parents' list of top family-friendly restaurants. Nation's Restaurant News ranked CiCi's No. 1 in sales and unit growth among pizza chains for the past four years.

For more information about CiCi's, visit www.cicispizza.com or www.facebook.com/cicis.

Media Contact:
Amanda Rich
Fish Consulting
202.248.6288
[email protected]

SOURCE CiCi’s Pizza