Ambrosio’s Take
Cinnabon is built around one signature product, the cinnamon roll, and over the past several years the brand has carried that product well beyond the enclosed mall where it made its name: into travel centers, convenience stores, and co-branded bakeries with sister brand Auntie Anne’s. That push shows up clearly in the outlet count, with franchised outlets jumping from 1,002 to 1,310 in 2025, a net gain of 308 after gains of 23 and 50 in the two prior years, and news coverage crediting convenience store and travel center openings for much of the expansion.
The three formats in Item 19 perform like three different businesses. The 64 Auntie Anne’s co-branded franchises are the standout, averaging $1,208,741 in net sales, 81.7% higher than the 189 enclosed mall franchises, and with a median of $1,214,802 sitting slightly above the average, that strength is spread across the group rather than propped up by a few outliers. The enclosed mall franchises averaged $665,401, down 2.4% after a 5.4% decline the year before, yet the format still produces a sales-to-investment ratio of 1.4:1 against the traditional full bakery investment, ahead of Crumbl Cookies at 1.2:1 and Mrs. Fields and Great American Cookies at 1:1 among the dessert concepts reviewed on Franchise Chatter.
"If I were considering buying a franchise today, checking territory availability would be one of my first steps. Yet most buyers leave it until last." — Ambrosio, Franchise Chatter
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Ambrosio’s Take appears on all Franchise Chatter FDD Talk posts based on the 2026 FDD.
In this exclusive Franchise Chatter FDD Talk post, you’ll learn the following:
Section I – Estimated initial investment (franchise costs) for a Cinnabon franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2026 FDD
Section II – Initial franchise fee, royalty fee, and marketing fee for a Cinnabon franchise, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2026 FDD
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Section IV – News updates on the Cinnabon franchise opportunity
Section V – Presentation and analysis of Cinnabon’s financial performance representations (average revenues and/or profits), based on Item 19 of the company’s 2026 FDD, including information on the:
- fiscal year 2025 average, median, lowest, and highest net sales, by quartile, for the 189 Cinnabon enclosed mall franchises that were eligible franchises in fiscal year 2025 (an “eligible franchise” is a franchise that reported sales in all 52 weeks of fiscal year 2025)
- fiscal year 2025 average, median, lowest, and highest net sales, by quartile, for the 187 Cinnabon convenience franchises that were eligible franchises in fiscal year 2025
- fiscal year 2025 average, median, lowest, and highest net sales, by quartile, for the 64 Cinnabon-Auntie Anne’s co-branded franchises that were eligible franchises in fiscal year 2025
Section VI – Key ratios, comparables, computations, and analyses for the Cinnabon franchise opportunity (exclusive content for Platinum subscribers)
Section I – Cinnabon Franchise Costs
- Cinnabon (full bakery located in a traditional location) franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2026 FDD:
- Initial Franchise Fee: $35,500
- Construction and Build Out Costs: $87,700 to $325,500
- Permitting: $1,600 to $5,000
- Equipment Package: $52,000 to $86,200
- Millwork: $20,000 to $40,000
- Menu Board, Graphics, and Interior Signage: $2,000 to $12,000
- Exterior Signage: $3,700 to $26,400
- Computer System: $10,500 to $32,000
- Smallwares: $2,800 to $8,000
- Architect/Engineer: $2,500 to $16,000
- Rent: $4,000 to $15,000
- Grand Opening Marketing: $3,000 to $7,500
- Legal and Accounting Fees: $5,000 to $10,000
- Insurance: $1,250 to $6,800
- Miscellaneous Opening Costs/Office Supplies: $1,800 to $6,800
- Security Deposits: $0 to $15,000
- Management Training Program Fee: $0 to $3,000
- Travel and Living Expenses During Training: $3,600 to $5,700
- On-Site Training Fee: $0 to $6,100
- Opening Inventory: $5,000 to $8,000
- Additional Funds for 3 Months: $15,000 to $33,000
- Total Estimated Cinnabon Franchise Costs: $256,950 to $703,500
Section II – Cinnabon’s Initial Franchise Fee, Royalty Fee, and Marketing Fee
- Cinnabon’s initial franchise fee, royalty fee, and marketing fee, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2026 FDD:
- Initial Franchise Fee: $5,500 to $35,500
- Royalty Fee: 6% of Net Sales, except: Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Bakeries in Other Locations: 6% of Net Sales attributed to Cinnabon; 7% of Net Sales attributed to Auntie Anne’s, which Auntie Anne’s may increase in its sole discretion to 8% of Net Sales. Express Bakeries in a Schlotzsky’s: then-current product price per case.
- Advertising Contribution: Bakeries in Other Locations (except Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Bakeries): currently, 2.5% of Net Sales. Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Bakeries in Other Locations: currently, 2.5% of Net Sales attributed to Cinnabon and 2% of Net Sales attributed to Auntie Anne’s. Bakeries in Streetside Locations: currently, 3% of Net Sales. Swirl Bakeries (any location): currently, 3% of Net Sales. Express Bakeries in a Schlotzsky’s: not charged.
- Advertising Cooperative Contribution: an amount set by your Advertising Cooperative
- Local Marketing Obligation: currently, each calendar quarter, you must spend not less than 1% of Net Sales on local market advertising
Section III – Number of Franchised and Company-Owned Cinnabon Outlets
Franchised
2023
"Multi-unit ownership is where the real wealth in franchising is built. It starts with one key decision: choosing a brand with enough territory runway to grow into." — Ambrosio, Franchise Chatter
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- Outlets at the End of the Year: 952
- Net Change: +23
2024
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 952
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 1,002
- Net Change: +50
2025
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 1,002
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 1,310
- Net Change: +308
Company-Owned
2023
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 27
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 22
- Net Change: -5
2024
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 22
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 28
- Net Change: +6
2025
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 28
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 28
- Net Change: +0
Section IV – News Updates on the Cinnabon Franchise
Section V – Financial Performance Representations (Average Revenues and/or Profits) for the Cinnabon Franchise (Item 19, 2026 FDD)
- This Item 19 presents information about the financial performance during Fiscal Year 2025 (the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025) of certain Enclosed Mall Franchises, Convenience Franchises, and Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises that were eligible franchises in Fiscal Year 2025.
- An “Enclosed Mall Franchise” is a franchised Full Bakery that is located in an enclosed mall.
- A “Convenience Franchise” is a franchised Full Bakery that is located in a travel plaza, travel center, or convenience store.
- An “Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchise” is a franchised Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Bakery.
- An “eligible franchise” is a franchise that reported sales in all 52 weeks of Fiscal Year 2025.
- This Item 19 does not include data related to (i) franchised Full Bakeries that are located in Traditional Locations or Non-Traditional Locations other than the Enclosed Mall Franchises, Convenience Franchises, and Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises represented in these tables; (ii) Express Bakeries; (iii) Concession Bakeries; (iv) Co-Branded Franchises (other than the Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises represented in Part 3); (v) affiliate-owned Bakeries; and (vi) Full Bakeries that were not eligible franchises in Fiscal Year 2025.
- The financial performance and operations of these excluded Bakeries can vary significantly from the performance and operations of the Bakeries represented in this Item 19.
Part 1 – Average Net Sales by Quartiles – Enclosed Mall Franchises for Fiscal Year 2025
Top Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $1,080,645
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 20/48 (42%)
- Median Net Sales: $1,045,388
- Lowest Net Sales: $833,242
- Highest Net Sales: $2,216,582
2nd Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $706,992
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 25/47 (53%)
- Median Net Sales: $708,008
- Lowest Net Sales: $600,536
- Highest Net Sales: $833,133
3rd Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $521,437
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 25/47 (53%)
- Median Net Sales: $524,577
- Lowest Net Sales: $442,655
- Highest Net Sales: $592,737
Bottom Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $343,695
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 26/47 (55%)
- Median Net Sales: $373,735
- Lowest Net Sales: $186,211
- Highest Net Sales: $435,063
Total
- Average Net Sales: $665,401
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 82/189 (43%)
- Median Net Sales: $600,536
- Lowest Net Sales: $186,211
- Highest Net Sales: $2,216,582
- As of December 28, 2025, there were 267 Enclosed Mall Franchises. Of those 267 locations, 189 (70.8%) Enclosed Mall Franchises are represented in this table.
- This table does not include (i) 62 Enclosed Mall Franchises that are Co-Branded Franchises and (ii) 16 single-branded Enclosed Mall Franchises that did not report sales in all 52 weeks of Fiscal Year 2025 (including 8 single-branded Enclosed Mall Franchises that opened during Fiscal Year 2025).
- This table also does not include 6 Enclosed Mall Franchises that permanently closed during Fiscal Year 2025, all of which had been open for at least 12 months prior to closing. No Enclosed Mall Franchises were reacquired by Cinnabon in Fiscal Year 2025.
Part 2 – Average Net Sales by Quartiles – Convenience Franchises for Fiscal Year 2025
Top Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $318,226
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 15/47 (32%)
- Median Net Sales: $285,588
- Lowest Net Sales: $233,278
- Highest Net Sales: $672,242
2nd Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $190,280
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 21/47 (45%)
- Median Net Sales: $184,535
- Lowest Net Sales: $164,487
- Highest Net Sales: $230,576
3rd Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $142,592
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 25/47 (53%)
- Median Net Sales: $143,519
- Lowest Net Sales: $122,668
- Highest Net Sales: $163,242
Bottom Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $85,271
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 22/46 (48%)
- Median Net Sales: $83,906
- Lowest Net Sales: $12,528
- Highest Net Sales: $122,660
Total
- Average Net Sales: $184,621
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 70/187 (37%)
- Median Net Sales: $164,487
- Lowest Net Sales: $12,528
- Highest Net Sales: $672,242
- As of December 28, 2025, there were 219 Convenience Franchises. Of those 219 locations, 187 (85.4%) Convenience Franchises are represented in this table.
- This table does not include (i) 4 Convenience Franchises that are Co-Branded Franchises and (ii) 28 single-branded Convenience Franchises that did not report sales in all 52 weeks of Fiscal Year 2025 (including 7 single-branded Convenience Franchises that opened during Fiscal Year 2025).
- This table also does not include 8 Convenience Franchises that permanently closed during Fiscal Year 2025, all of which had been open for at least 12 months prior to closing. No Convenience Franchises were reacquired by Cinnabon in Fiscal Year 2025.
Part 3 – Average Net Sales by Quartiles – Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises for Fiscal Year 2025
Top Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $1,914,776
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 7/16 (44%)
- Median Net Sales: $1,791,460
- Lowest Net Sales: $1,507,912
- Highest Net Sales: $2,845,746
2nd Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $1,347,745
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 9/16 (56%)
- Median Net Sales: $1,356,458
- Lowest Net Sales: $1,236,660
- Highest Net Sales: $1,452,405
3rd Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $977,242
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 7/16 (44%)
- Median Net Sales: $963,027
- Lowest Net Sales: $801,870
- Highest Net Sales: $1,192,944
Bottom Quartile
- Average Net Sales: $595,200
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 7/16 (44%)
- Median Net Sales: $550,307
- Lowest Net Sales: $320,249
- Highest Net Sales: $784,234
Total
- Average Net Sales: $1,208,741
- Number and Percentage of Bakeries Attaining or Exceeding Average Net Sales: 32/64 (50%)
- Median Net Sales: $1,214,802
- Lowest Net Sales: $320,249
- Highest Net Sales: $2,845,746
- As of December 28, 2025, there were 69 Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises. Of those 69 locations, 64 (92.8%) Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises are represented in this table.
- This table does not include 5 Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises that did not report sales in all 52 weeks of Fiscal Year 2025 (including 5 Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises that opened in Fiscal Year 2025). This table also does not include 2 Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises that permanently closed during Fiscal Year 2025, all of which had been open for at least 12 months prior to closing.
- No Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises were reacquired by Cinnabon during Fiscal Year 2025.
- Net Sales for Auntie Anne’s Co-Branded Franchises includes revenue generated from the sale of both Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon products.
- Some Bakeries have sold or earned this amount. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will sell or earn as much.
Section VI – Cinnabon Franchise Ratios, Comparables, Computations, and Analyses (Exclusive Content for Platinum Subscribers) ⬇️
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