Cinnabon vs Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cinnabon vs Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Cinnabon Franchise
Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls Franchise
Investment $23,100 - $430,900$69,000 - $130,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 1.5%-
Year Founded 19691985
Year Franchised 19861986
Term Of Agreement 10-20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10-20 years10 years
Renewal Fee 50% of current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Cinnabon Franchise
Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills "Passion and enthusiasm in being a small business owner, and having the go-getter mentality… You've got to like people to do business at Cinnabon." - Mark Hong, director of franchise development

  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Additional training annually -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformNewsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd slicks
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Cinnabon

    Since 1969, malls throughout the world have been filled with the scent of Cinnabon. Each bakery serves fresh and prepackaged cinnamon rolls, Pecanbons (cinnamon rolls topped with pecans and caramel frosting), coffees and other drinks.
    If success was a freshly baked treat, it would be Cinnabon®.
    • Super sweet average net sales of $861,481 for the top quartile of franchise owners*
    • A global, iconic brand with enviable brand awareness and strong affinity with Millennials and Gen Z
    • A category leader that dominates the sweet treat segment
    • The strong support and tools of FOCUS Brands®
    Become a Cinnabon® franchise owner, and learn what it means to be the most popular kid on the block! Our one-of-a-kind, insanely craveable baked goods and specialty beverages have made Cinnabon® a world-class brand with world-class economics.
    Cinnabon® owns the cinnamon roll category, and we’re looking for people to grow our legacy and “bake” good on the promise that is our brand.


    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Full Bakery franchise ranges from $214,050 to $430,900 in a Traditional Location and from $122,500 to $419,200 in a Non-Traditional Location. This includes $30,000 to $30,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Express Bakery ranges from $23,100 to $43,500 in a new Schlotzsky’s® restaurant and from $59,000 to $155,750 in any other location. This includes $7,500 to $7,900 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total estimated investment necessary to begin operation of a Concession Bakery ranges between $110,000 and $244,600. This includes $5,000 to $5,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    Veteran Incentives  $5,000 off franchise fee
    "World     "Entrepreneur
    #53 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #35 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls

    Cindy and Tom Harris were inspired to open their own shop after seeing customers line up to watch warm cinnamon rolls come out of the oven at a bakery. The couple felt making and selling warm cinnamon rolls in a mall would be a hit, so they opened their first Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls store in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 1985. Customers were drawn to the store by the smell of the baking rolls, and would line up for the warm rolls and coffee.

    Cindy's began franchising in 1986 and now has stores in malls across the United States in addition to several international locations.