The Cinnabon franchise cost in the March 2026 disclosure document is $256,950 to $703,500 for a mall or streetside Full Bakery, including the $35,500 fee. Express Bakeries start at $29,250; co-branded bakeries reach $1,205,400.
Key takeaways
- A Full Bakery in a Traditional Location (malls, shopping centers, outlets, streetside) is estimated at $256,950 to $703,500, and $35,659 to $60,367 of that goes to the franchisor or its affiliates (Cinnabon Franchise Disclosure Document, issued March 27, 2026, cover page and Item 7).
- The initial franchise fee is $35,500 for a Full Bakery, $8,000 for an Express Bakery, $5,500 for a Concession Bakery and $71,000 for an Auntie Anne’s or Carvel co-brand; qualifying veterans pay $20,000 for a Full Bakery (Item 5).
- After opening, the royalty is 6% of Net Sales and the Advertising Contribution is currently 2.5% in malls and other non-streetside sites or 3% in Streetside Locations, with at least 1% more on local marketing each quarter (Item 6).
- Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC is an indirect subsidiary of GoTo Foods LLC, formerly Focus Brands; about 90% of operating purchases go to approved suppliers or must meet Cinnabon specifications (Items 1 and 8).
- Franchised U.S. Bakeries rose from 1,002 to 1,310 in 2025 after 348 openings, and 359 signed franchise agreements had not opened by December 31, 2025 (Item 20).
- Cinnaholic is a separate franchisor with no tie to GoTo Foods: its April 30, 2024 FDD lists $241,082 to $526,582 and a $40,000 fee (Cinnaholic FDD 2024, Items 1, 5 and 7).
| Key number | Figure | Where it is printed |
|---|---|---|
| Full Bakery, Traditional Location | $256,950 to $703,500 | Item 7, page 37 |
| Full Bakery, Non-Traditional Location | $196,250 to $715,100 | Item 7, page 38 |
| Initial franchise fee, Full Bakery | $35,500 ($20,000 VetFran) | Item 5, page 20 |
| Royalty | 6% of Net Sales | Item 6, page 22 |
| Advertising Contribution | 2.5% Other Locations, 3% Streetside | Item 6, page 23 |
| Minimum liquid capital / net worth | $120,000 / $300,000 | GoTo Foods development page, not the FDD |
| Term | 20 years plus one 20-year successor term | Item 17, page 84 |
What does each of the six Cinnabon bakery formats cost to open?
The 2026 Cinnabon FDD prints eight Item 7 tables for six bakery types. The lowest total is $29,250 for an Express Bakery built at the same time as a new Schlotzsky’s restaurant, which excludes the host restaurant itself. The highest is $1,205,400 for an Auntie Anne’s co-brand. A standard Full Bakery sits between $196,250 and $715,100 depending on the venue.
Format decides more of the bill than any single line item. Item 1 limits two formats: Express Bakeries typically go inside a Schlotzsky’s (the “Host Facility”), and Concession Bakeries, a trailer or food truck for fairs and events, are offered only to existing franchisees who meet Cinnabon’s qualifications. Item 7 note 12 gives the footprints shown below.
| Format | Typical size (Item 7 note 12) | Initial fee (Item 5) | Item 7 total | Paid to franchisor or affiliates | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Bakery, Traditional Location (mall, shopping center, streetside) | In-line about 1,300 sq ft, about 12 seats; kiosk 250 to 400 sq ft | $35,500 | $256,950 to $703,500 | $35,659 to $60,367 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
| Full Bakery, Non-Traditional Location (airport, casino, travel plaza, campus) | Same in-line or kiosk options | $35,500 | $196,250 to $715,100 | $35,659 to $60,367 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
| Express Bakery in a new Schlotzsky’s | 80 to 100 sq ft | $8,000 | $29,250 to $66,900 | $8,159 to $31,267 (both Express tables) | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
| Express Bakery, any other host | 80 to 100 sq ft, plus 100 to 300 sq ft storage if needed | $8,000 | $70,850 to $191,950 | $8,159 to $31,267 (both Express tables) | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
| Concession Bakery, trailer | Trailer (tow vehicle not included) | $5,500 | $125,465 to $263,650 | $5,659 to $28,767 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
| Concession Bakery, food truck | Food truck | $5,500 | $171,465 to $325,875 | $5,659 to $28,767 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
| Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Bakery | About 1,270 sq ft | $71,000 (two fees) | $410,675 to $1,205,400 | $71,159 to $120,467 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
| Carvel Co-Branded or Swirl Bakery | 1,325 to 1,590 sq ft | $71,000 (two fees) | $463,250 to $1,136,500 | $71,159 to $121,467 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
Item 7 totals run from $29,250 (Express in a new Schlotzsky’s) to $1,205,400 (Auntie Anne’s co-brand). Source: Cinnabon FDD issued March 27, 2026, Item 7, accessed November 10, 2026.
Every line of all eight tables, re-added by us to the printed totals, is in cinnabon_item7_by_format.csv. Each column sums to the figure Cinnabon prints, with one caveat on the Auntie Anne’s fee row covered further down.
Where does $703,500 go in a mall or streetside Full Bakery?
Construction and build-out is the swing line: $87,700 to $325,500 in a Traditional Location, which is 46% of the $703,500 high estimate. Equipment adds $52,000 to $86,200 and millwork $20,000 to $40,000. The fee is fixed at $35,500, and construction alone accounts for $237,800 of the $446,550 gap between the low and high totals.
| Item 7 line | Traditional low | Traditional high | Non-Traditional low | Non-Traditional high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,500 | $35,500 | $35,500 | $35,500 |
| Construction and Build Out Costs | $87,700 | $325,500 | $43,500 | $318,000 |
| Equipment Package | $52,000 | $86,200 | $45,000 | $102,500 |
| Millwork | $20,000 | $40,000 | $20,000 | $45,000 |
| Computer System | $10,500 | $32,000 | $10,500 | $32,000 |
| Signage and menu boards (exterior plus interior lines) | $5,700 | $38,400 | $5,700 | $25,500 |
| Architect/Engineer | $2,500 | $16,000 | $5,000 | $21,000 |
| Rent (one month only, note 12) | $4,000 | $15,000 | $2,000 | $15,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $5,000 | $8,000 | $2,500 | $23,500 |
| Additional Funds, 3 months | $15,000 | $33,000 | $7,000 | $23,000 |
| All other lines (permits, smallwares, training, insurance, legal, deposits, grand opening, misc.) | $19,050 | $73,900 | $19,550 | $74,100 |
| Total | $256,950 | $703,500 | $196,250 | $715,100 |
Three things sit outside these totals. Rent covers one month only (Item 7 note 12); later months draw on the $15,000 to $33,000 Additional Funds line, which note 21 says also carries payroll, royalties and inventory. A Bakery opened by a third-time operator can owe a training fee of $3,000 and on-site help at $500 per trainer per day, about $5,550 to $6,100 for seven days (Item 5). Cinnabon offers no financing of its own (Item 10), though it says it participates in the SBA Franchise Directory.
Note 22 to Item 7 states that Bakeries in office buildings, hospitals, stadiums or university food service sites will likely spend less than mall or strip-center Bakeries. The Non-Traditional table still runs higher at the top ($715,100) because its equipment, permitting and inventory ceilings are higher. Our guide to reading franchise cost tables explains why the low column rarely matches a real first store.
Why is a co-branded Cinnabon priced at two franchise fees?
A co-branded Bakery is two franchises in one space. You sign Cinnabon’s Franchise Agreement and Co-Branded Bakery Schedule, then buy a separate franchise from Auntie Anne’s or Carvel under that brand’s own FDD. Item 5 sets the combined fee at $71,000, of which $35,500 goes to the partner brand, and Item 6 lets both franchisors charge royalty and advertising on their share of sales.
| Co-brand charge | Auntie Anne’s co-brand | Carvel co-brand or Swirl | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee to Cinnabon | $35,500 | $35,500 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 5 and Item 7 note 1 |
| Fee to partner brand | $35,500 to Auntie Anne’s | $35,500 to Carvel | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 5 |
| Royalty | 6% on Cinnabon-credited sales; Auntie Anne’s 7%, may rise to 8%, on its share | 6% on Cinnabon-credited sales; Carvel terms in its own FDD | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Advertising Contribution (Other Locations) | 2.5% Cinnabon share, 2% Auntie Anne’s share | 2.5%; Swirl Bakeries 3% at any location | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Grand opening minimum | $6,000 Other Location; $15,000 Streetside ($25,000 for first four in an Emerging Market) | Same | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 5 |
| Management training fee (3rd Bakery on) | $4,000 | $5,000 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 5 |
One row needs a second look. The Auntie Anne’s co-brand table on page 43 prints the Initial Franchise Fee as $66,000, while Item 5 and Item 7 note 1 put it at $35,500 plus $35,500, or $71,000. The $410,675 to $1,205,400 total adds up with $66,000, so a buyer may want Cinnabon to confirm in writing whether the co-brand estimate is $5,000 low. The Carvel table uses $71,000 throughout.
The ice cream franchise comparison covers the scoop-shop side of a Carvel pairing, including soft-serve equipment. Cinnabon’s Carvel and Swirl training adds an ice cream machine module (1 classroom hour, 3 on-the-job hours) to the 52 on-the-job station hours (Item 11).
Which Cinnabon fees are tied to sales, and which are flat?
Three Item 6 charges move with Net Sales: the 6% royalty, the Advertising Contribution of 2.5% or 3%, and a Local Marketing Obligation of at least 1% each quarter. Cinnabon may raise the ad rate by notice, but the ad contribution and local marketing together cannot pass 5% of Net Sales. Several technology fees are flat monthly amounts.
| Fee | Amount as printed | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 6% of Net Sales, weekly | Full, Concession, Express outside Schlotzsky’s | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Royalty, Express in a Schlotzsky’s | Then-current product price per case of freezer-proofer-oven rolls | Express Bakeries in Schlotzsky’s | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Advertising Contribution | 2.5% Other Locations (malls, outlets, Non-Traditional); 3% Streetside; not charged for Express in a Schlotzsky’s | By site type (Item 6 note 3) | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Local Marketing Obligation | At least 1% of Net Sales per quarter | All Bakeries | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Ordering Support Fee | 3% of the pre-tax transaction (online and catering orders) | Orders through designated platforms | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Loyalty App Fee | $54 per month | All Bakeries | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Online Ordering Fee | $54 per month plus 0.04% per transaction | All Bakeries | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Learning Management System | $170 per year | All Bakeries | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Supply Chain Fee | $0.37 to $0.62 per case from Appointed Distributors | Distributor purchases | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Transfer Fee | 50% of then-current fee (Control Transfer); 10% otherwise | Sale of the Bakery or over 20% of the owner entity | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
| Renewal Fee | 20% of then-current fee | Successor term | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
The worked figures below use only fixed amounts printed in the FDD. We do not multiply percentages by an assumed sales level, because the site does not publish sales estimates.
| Calculation | Inputs (2026 FDD) | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Flat technology fees per year | ($54 loyalty + $54 online ordering) x 12 + $170 LMS | $1,466 |
| Veteran saving on a Full Bakery fee | $35,500 minus $20,000 (Item 5) | $15,500 |
| Transfer fee if you sell a Full Bakery today | 50% x $35,500 | $17,750 |
| Renewal fee at year 20 at today’s fee | 20% x $35,500 | $7,100 |
| Ceiling on ad plus local marketing | Item 6 cap | 5% of Net Sales |
| Royalty plus ad plus local minimum, Streetside | 6% + 3% + 1% | 10% of Net Sales |
| Royalty plus ad plus local minimum, mall | 6% + 2.5% + 1% | 9.5% of Net Sales |
Streetside sites also carry a higher grand opening floor: $7,500 against $3,000 for an Other Location, spent between 90 days before and 90 days after opening (Item 5). Fee shares for a sold franchise are compared across brands in our franchise transfer fee research.
How much of the supply chain runs through GoTo Foods?
Most of it. Item 8 estimates that purchases from approved suppliers or under Cinnabon’s standards make up about 85% of what it costs to establish a Bakery and about 90% of what it costs to run one. Proprietary ingredients, branded packaging, uniforms, signs and the POS System come from Cinnabon, its affiliates or designated suppliers.
| Entity (Item 1) | Role | Payments disclosed for fiscal 2025 (Item 8) |
|---|---|---|
| Roark Capital Management funds | Control the affiliated franchise programs | None disclosed |
| GoTo Foods LLC (formerly Focus Brands LLC) | Indirect parent of seven franchisors; management services and sales agent | Management fees paid by the franchisor (amount not stated) |
| GoTo Foods Systems LLC | Direct parent; guarantees franchisor performance | $1,956,843 from approved suppliers across the portfolio |
| Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC | Franchisor; owns no Bakeries | $2,024,946 from approved suppliers |
| Cinnabon LLC (predecessor) | Ad Fund deposits; POS support | $1,986,843 into the Ad Fund; $247,940 POS support fees |
| FSC LLC (GoTo Supply) | Procurement, distribution, logistics | About $13,803,727 in case fees and logistics savings with GoTo Foods Systems, all seven brands |
| GoTo Foods Rewards, Inc. | Gift card program | $23,913 from Cinnabon franchisees |
The fiscal year ended December 28, 2025, and Item 8 calls these figures unaudited and internally generated. Supplier payments are common across large franchise systems; our franchise supplier rebate study compares how other FDDs disclose them, and the private equity franchise ownership report maps the Roark-affiliated brands named in Item 1.
How many days does Cinnabon allow from signing to opening?
For a Full Bakery, Item 11 gives 150 days after signing to have an accepted site and a signed lease, 270 days to start construction and 360 days to open. Express Bakeries get 60, 90 and 180 days. Missing the site or construction deadline without curing it in 30 days, or missing the opening date, lets Cinnabon terminate and keep the fee.
| Deadline | Full Bakery | Express Bakery | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site Approval Deadline (accepted site, signed lease) | 150 days | 60 days | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 11 |
| Final Architectural Plans | 30 days before construction start | 30 days before construction start | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 11 |
| Construction Start Deadline | 270 days | 90 days | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 11 |
| Opening Deadline | 360 days | 180 days | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 11 |
| Development Extension Fee | $2,500 per missed deadline | $2,500 per missed deadline | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 6 |
Plan reviews beyond the first revision cost $2,500 per set, and a second construction inspection costs $2,500 (Item 5). Two full-time Managers must complete the Management Training Program; owners with four or more Bakeries may also need a Director of Operations (Item 1). How these windows compare with other systems is charted in how long it takes to open a franchise.
What did Cinnabon’s U.S. bakery count do in 2025?
Item 20 shows franchised U.S. Bakeries rising from 1,002 to 1,310 during 2025, a net gain of 308. Franchisees opened 348 Bakeries, and 36 were terminated, 1 was not renewed and 3 food trucks ceased operations before relocating to other states. The 28 affiliate-owned units in Item 20 all sit inside Schlotzsky’s restaurants run by Schlotzsky’s Stores LLC; Item 1 puts that count at 29.
Franchisees opened 348 U.S. Bakeries in 2025 against 36 terminations and 45 transfers. Source: Cinnabon FDD issued March 27, 2026, Item 20, accessed November 10, 2026.
| Year | Franchised at start | Opened | Terminations | Non-renewals | Transfers to new owners | Franchised at end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 930 | 53 | 26 | 4 | 29 | 953 |
| 2024 | 953 | 91 | 31 | 2 | 65 | 1,002 |
| 2025 | 1,002 | 348 | 36 | 1 | 45 | 1,310 |
Item 20 Table 1 lists the 2023 franchised count as 929 to 952, one unit lower than Table 3’s 930 to 953, and starts 2024 at 952. The 2025 figures agree in both tables. Table 5 lists 359 franchise agreements signed but not yet open and 95 projected franchised openings in 2026, and Texas recorded 35 transfers in 2024 alone (Table 2).
For reviews from owners, Exhibits D and E list current and former franchisees with phone numbers. Item 20 also notes that Cinnabon has signed Termination and Release Agreements with confidentiality clauses in the past three years, so some former owners may decline to talk.
Is Cinnaholic part of Cinnabon, and what does it charge?
No. Cinnaholic Franchising, LLC is a Georgia company organized January 20, 2014, and its FDD states it has no parents or predecessors. Its newest disclosure document in Minnesota’s CARDS database, issued April 30, 2024, puts the cost at $241,082 to $526,582, with $42,545 paid to the franchisor, and requires a Development Agreement for at least one bakery.
| Term | Cinnabon Full Bakery (2026 FDD) | Cinnaholic (2024 FDD) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $35,500 | $40,000, prepaid as a Development Fee | Item 5 of each FDD |
| Total initial investment | $256,950 to $703,500 (Traditional) | $241,082 to $526,582 | Item 7 of each FDD |
| Paid to franchisor | $35,659 to $60,367 | $42,545 ($40,000 fee, $1,795 project management, $750 technology) | Cover page, Item 7 |
| Royalty | 6% of Net Sales | 5% of Gross Sales | Item 6 of each FDD |
| Brand or ad fund | 2.5% or 3% | 2% | Item 6 of each FDD |
| Local advertising minimum | 1% per quarter | 2% of Gross Sales | Item 6 of each FDD |
| Veteran incentive | Fee cut to $20,000 | 10% off the first bakery’s fee | Item 5 of each FDD |
| U.S. franchised units | 1,310 (Dec 31, 2025) | 80 (Dec 31, 2023) | Item 20 of each FDD |
The Cinnaholic figures come from the Cinnaholic Franchise Disclosure Document issued April 30, 2024. Third-party listings refer to a 2025 Cinnaholic FDD that we did not open, so ask the franchisor for its current Item 5 to 7 before comparing. Both brands publish an Item 19; the Item 19 research report explains what those tables can and cannot show.
Which Cinnabon format fits your capital and site?
The site you can get matters more than the cash you hold. A Full Bakery needs an approved mall, center, streetside or venue lease within 150 days. Express Bakeries depend on a host restaurant, Concession units require an existing Cinnabon franchise, and a co-brand requires a second franchisor’s approval. GoTo Foods lists $120,000 in liquid capital and $300,000 net worth as minimums.
| If your situation is | Format to price first | Threshold from the FDD |
|---|---|---|
| You are building or own a new Schlotzsky’s | Express Bakery in a new Schlotzsky’s | $29,250 to $66,900, host costs excluded; no Ad Contribution |
| You hold an enclosed mall or airport kiosk offer of 250 to 400 sq ft | Full Bakery, kiosk | Traditional $256,950 to $703,500 or Non-Traditional $196,250 to $715,100; 2.5% ad rate |
| You have a streetside in-line or endcap site of about 1,300 sq ft | Full Bakery, in-line | Up to $703,500; 3% ad rate; $7,500 grand opening minimum |
| You already run a Cinnabon and work fairs or events | Concession Bakery | $125,465 trailer to $325,875 truck; 5-year term; usually not within two miles of a permanent Bakery |
| You have 1,270 to 1,590 sq ft and can qualify with Auntie Anne’s or Carvel | Co-Branded Bakery | $410,675 to $1,205,400; $71,000 in fees |
| Your liquid capital is under $120,000 | None of the stand-alone formats yet | GoTo Foods development page minimum; Cinnabon offers no financing (Item 10) |
| You are a qualifying veteran opening a Full Bakery | Full Bakery under VetFran | Fee $20,000 instead of $35,500 |
Veteran terms in other FDDs are compared in our veteran franchise discount study. No Cinnabon format comes with an exclusive territory; Item 12 lets Cinnabon and other franchisees open nearby, except for limited protection given to Co-Branded Bakeries in Streetside Locations.
Cinnabon cost figures that the 2026 filing replaces
Most pages that rank for this query quote the 2020 to 2024 FDDs, skip the co-brand and Express tables, or round the numbers. Each row below states a claim found on a top-ranking page on November 10, 2026, and the figure the March 27, 2026 FDD prints instead.
| Claim found online | What the 2026 FDD or primary page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A 2021 news feature: Full Bakery $214,050 to $430,900; Express in a Schlotzsky’s $23,100 to $43,300 | $256,950 to $703,500; $29,250 to $66,900 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7 |
| A lender guide updated October 2026: $179,000 to $418,000, $30,000 fee, 1% ad fund | $256,950 to $703,500; $35,500 fee; 2.5% or 3% Advertising Contribution | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Items 5 to 7 |
| A franchise profile using the 2024 FDD: $254,750 to $674,400, $30,500 fee | $256,950 to $703,500; $35,500 fee | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Items 5 and 7 |
| A directory summary of the 2026 FDD: $703,000 high total, $325,000 build-out | $703,500 and $325,500 | Cinnabon FDD 2026, Item 7, page 36 |
| Several directories: $400,000 minimum net worth | $300,000 net worth and $120,000 liquid capital; the FDD sets no minimum and requires a credit check (Item 1) | GoTo Foods Cinnabon development page |
Federal law gives you at least 14 calendar days with the current disclosure document before you sign or pay (16 CFR 436.2(a)). Use that window to check any number from a third-party page against Items 5 to 7, and our walkthrough of the 23 FDD items shows where each figure lives.
How we compiled this
We read the Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC FDD issued March 27, 2026 and the Cinnaholic Franchising, LLC FDD issued April 30, 2024, both downloaded from Minnesota CARDS on November 10, 2026, plus GoTo Foods’ Cinnabon development page and 16 CFR 436.2. We re-added all eight Cinnabon Item 7 tables. Item 19 in both FDDs reports sales data, which we left out under this site’s no-earnings rule. This page is not legal, financial or investment advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cinnabon franchise cost?
A Full Bakery in a mall, shopping center or streetside site costs $256,950 to $703,500 under the Cinnabon FDD issued March 27, 2026, Item 7. The same bakery in an airport, casino or travel plaza is $196,250 to $715,100. Express Bakeries inside a new Schlotzsky’s start at $29,250, and Auntie Anne’s co-brands reach $1,205,400.
What is the Cinnabon franchise fee?
Item 5 of the 2026 Cinnabon FDD sets the initial franchise fee at $35,500 for a Full Bakery, $8,000 for an Express Bakery, $5,500 for a Concession Bakery and $71,000 for an Auntie Anne’s or Carvel co-brand, half of which goes to the partner brand. Qualifying veterans pay $20,000 for a Full Bakery. The fee is not refundable.
How much do Cinnabon franchise owners make?
This site does not publish earnings figures. Owner income depends on Net Sales, the 6% royalty, the 2.5% or 3% ad contribution, rent and labor. Item 19 of the 2026 Cinnabon FDD has three quartile tables of fiscal 2025 Net Sales for enclosed mall, convenience and Auntie Anne’s co-brand franchises; read them there and ask current owners from Exhibit D about costs.
Who owns Cinnabon?
Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of GoTo Foods LLC, formerly Focus Brands LLC, according to Item 1 of the 2026 FDD. GoTo Foods Systems LLC is the direct parent and guarantees its obligations. Through private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, Cinnabon is affiliated with Arby’s, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s and other systems.
Is Cinnaholic owned by Cinnabon?
No. Cinnaholic Franchising, LLC is a Georgia company organized in 2014, and Item 1 of its April 30, 2024 FDD says it has no parents or predecessors. Its affiliates are a company-run bakery in Dunwoody, Georgia and a Canadian franchising company. Cinnabon belongs to GoTo Foods, a separate company with seven franchise brands.
How much is a Cinnaholic franchise?
The Cinnaholic FDD issued April 30, 2024, the newest one on file in Minnesota CARDS, estimates $241,082 to $526,582, including $42,545 paid to the franchisor. The initial fee is $40,000 per bakery, prepaid under a Development Agreement. Royalty is 5% of Gross Sales and the advertising fund is 2%. Request the current FDD, since a 2025 version is cited elsewhere.
Does Cinnabon offer franchise financing?
No. Item 10 of the 2026 Cinnabon FDD says the franchisor does not offer financing for fixtures, inventory or any other purpose and will not guarantee loans. It may refer buyers to unaffiliated lenders or a paid financing advisor, and it participates in the SBA Franchise Directory. GoTo Foods lists $120,000 in liquid capital as its minimum.
How do I find Cinnabon franchise reviews from owners?
Exhibit D of the 2026 Cinnabon FDD lists every franchised Bakery open on December 31, 2025 with a phone number, and Exhibit E lists owners who left the system. Item 20 counts 36 terminations and 45 transfers in 2025. It also notes confidentiality clauses in some exit agreements, so a few former owners may decline to comment.
Sources
- Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC, Franchise Disclosure Document issued March 27, 2026, Items 1, 5 to 8, 10 to 12, 17, 19 and 20, Minnesota CARDS document 35787-202604-09, accessed November 10, 2026.
- Cinnaholic Franchising, LLC, Franchise Disclosure Document issued April 30, 2024, Items 1, 5 to 7, 19 and 20, Minnesota CARDS document 32108-202407-08, accessed November 10, 2026.
- GoTo Foods, Cinnabon franchise development page, accessed November 10, 2026.
- 16 CFR 436.2, Obligation to furnish documents (Cornell Legal Information Institute), accessed November 10, 2026.