Cinnabon vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cinnabon vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Cinnabon Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Investment $23,100 - $430,900$98,350 - $445,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 6%7%
Advertising Fee 1.5%1%
Year Founded 19691988
Year Franchised 19861989
Term Of Agreement 10-20 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10-20 years5 years
Renewal Fee 50% of current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Cinnabon Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels 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
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Additional training annually On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 40-64 hours
    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 Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    53.9% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    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 Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

    Anne Beiler had been baking most of her life, but it wasn't until she began managing a concession stand at a farmer's market in Maryland that she thought about starting a business. The stand served pizzas, pretzels, chips and candy, with the pretzels outselling everything else. Beiler stopped selling pizza and began hand-rolling pretzels in front of her customers, making the snack even more popular. Eventually, Beiler bought her own stand, naming it Auntie Anne's, and, soon two of her brothers were operating Auntie Anne's booths of their own. Today, Auntie Anne's locations serve a variety of pretzels, dipping sauces and drinks.

    Join us in putting the hand-rolled deliciousness of Auntie Anne’s® soft pretzels into more people’s hands. We are looking for franchise owners to extend our reach into street side locations, tourist locations, colleges, and more. Our guests savor Auntie Anne’s® pretzels’ unique flavor profile. You’ll value the strong financials, culture that promotes community involvement, and opportunities afforded you by our impressive global footprint. The future is looking bright for our franchise owners. Get in on the goodness now.

    As we rise, you shine.

    Auntie Anne's® is looking for people with a passion for business, matched by their desire to deliver the highest-quality customer service and hospitality. Candidates should have:
    "Fork
    Business Experience
    (Restaurant Experience Preferred)
    "Money"
    $100K+ Liquid Capital
    $300K Net Worth
    "People"
    People Skills
    Connected to the Community
    "Hand
    Philanthropic Values

     Stores can be found in shopping centers, airports and train stations across the United States and Worldwide.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Auntie Anne's® franchise ranges from $156,350 to $445,000. 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 a Shop within a temporary stand in a farmers’ market, a concession trailer, or a food truck (a “Concession Shop”) is $98,350 to $253,000. This includes $10,000 to $10,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #400 in Franchise 500 for 2020.