Cinnabon vs Hurts Donut Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cinnabon vs Hurts Donut Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Cinnabon Franchise
Hurts Donut Company Franchise
Investment $23,100 - $430,900$553,000 - $1,076,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 6%7%
Advertising Fee 1.5%2%
Year Founded 19692013
Year Franchised 19862014
Term Of Agreement 10-20 years-
Term Of Agreement 10-20 years-
Renewal Fee 50% of current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Cinnabon Franchise
Hurts Donut Company 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
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Hurts Donut Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Hurts Donut Company 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 Platform-
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising 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)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Hurts Donut Company Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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 Hurts Donut Company

    "Hurts
    Who is Hurts Donut?! How did it get started?! Well, the running joke is that Tim said it would be cheaper to open a donut shop than support my donut addiction! November 17th 2013, THE DAY BEFORE WE OPENED, we made our very first donut! The VERY FIRST donut either of us had ever made and it was just twelve hours before we opened our doors to the public... (that's not a typo!) We learned how to make donuts on YOUTUBE, bought all of our equipment on Craigslist and didn't even know if any of it would turn on. (Irresponsible? Maybe... Crazy passionate, motivated and fearless attitude!! DEFINITELY!!)We had less than $7 left in our bank account when we opened the doors to the public, and now there are 16 stores in the US! (The best part is, we are just getting started!!)In 2016 and 2017 we won an award that makes me exceptionally emotional... Hurts Donut received the Economic Impact of the year award for 1-5 years in business. WE SHARED THE STAGE WITH BASS PRO AND PRIME TRUCKING!!! (Are you serious?!) Prime did 1.8 BILLION dollars in revenue last year. And our little donut shop, less than 4 years old, was honored on the SAME STAGE as the most incredible businesses in Springfield. Their stories inspirational beyond measure. How could we possibly be in such good company?! Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think we would be where we are today.I'm so astronomically in love and thankful for my husband who is intelligent, business minded, hard working and selfless. Tim attributes our growth to his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, it was the start of our model for giving back to those in need. We truly, truly, believe that you get what you GIVE. So we promised ourselves whenever we get, we give!! I remember feeling misplaced years before this, my heart was built for giving and I could never give enough. This business has given us so much purpose and your support gives us the means to give back to the community in an unimaginable way. We have been able to share our blessings and help so many people in need. Franchising was absolutely terrifying to me. I'm so passionate about my business and I couldn't imagine anyone loving Hurts Donut the way I do!!  Our franchises have brought amazing people close in my life!! It is the best thing, being able to call someone every day that can truly relate and understand my immense JOYS. They have by far exceeded our expectations and I am BEYOND proud of the hard work and success our franchisees have brought to our name!! I know every one of us will continue to pray and dream and work ourselves NUMB!! I owe the most colossal thank you to our outstanding employees, whose personalities are as colorful as the donuts in our case! Our over-willing managers and trainers who are so extremely talented and hard working! There's definitely a sense of family. Shout out to two very special employees, Misty and Ian who have been employed with us from day one and are still going strong today!! We started with SIX employees the day Hurts OG opened in Springfield!! Our Tulsa store sold 24,000 donuts opening day and had 112 employees the day they opened if that gives you an idea of how far we have come!!!