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

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Saint Cinnamon 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

 
Saint Cinnamon Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Investment $144,100 - $264,700$98,350 - $445,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 6%7%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19861988
Year Franchised 19861989
Term Of Agreement 10 years maximum5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years maximum5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Saint Cinnamon Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

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

    Training & Support

     
    Saint Cinnamon Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 40-64 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter 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 slicks, Regional advertisingAd Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% 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

     
    Saint Cinnamon Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Saint Cinnamon

    The Saint Cinnamon brand was founded and created by Andy Winter.  Andy began his restaurant career in 1973 opening a new Deli franchise called Zeev's. Over the next few years Zeev's grew to over 10 locations and was very successful.  During a trip to the US, Andy had seen a new cinnamon bun franchise and was fascinated by the concept but thought he could do better. The US market was buzzing with excitement about the new cinnamon buns being baked everywhere. He loved the idea and decided that this was where he wanted to focus his attention. Upon his return he sold his interest in Zeev's to his partners so he could pursue his dream of developing a brand new Cinnamon Bun concept.
    Wanting to create the best Cinnamon Bun in the market, Andy researched and sourced the finest ingredients available.  After countless hours baking, Andy developed special dough using Canadian Spring wheat flour. Sourcing the finest cinnamon in the world, he formulated the exclusive Saint cinnamon sugar blend and the Saint Cinnamon bun and brand was born.  Later he developed the most decadent cream cheese icing.

    In 1986 the first Saint Cinnamon store opened in The Town & Country Mall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Saint Cinnamon's cinnamon rolls which were baked in full view of the customers quickly became a big hit with Canadians and stores began opening in mall locations throughout Ontario.
    As customers approached the Saint Cinnamon stores, the wonderful aroma of fresh baked cinnamon buns had a mesmerizing effect on people.  The thought of eating one was simply irresistible.
    At that time, the food menu was strictly cinnamon rolls, complemented with an array of specialty coffees, teas, and cold beverages. Saint Cinnamon was rolling out a lot of stores and soon earned a world-wide reputation for baking and offering the finest cinnamon rolls around the globe.
    Saint Cinnamon was awarded for being the fastest growing QRS in Canada from the Food Service and Hospitality magazine.  By 1990 it received numerous enquiries from abroad which resulted in the expansion into international markets.
    Saint Cinnamon has grown into a franchise with locations in malls, office buildings, gas stations and convenience stores.  The menu was expanded to include crepes, wraps, sandwiches, and specialty cold beverages. The Saint Cinnamon model can fit a number of different possible retail, licensing, co-branding locations and special event venues.
    Saint Cinnamon's specialty continues to be and will always be the baking of its amazing Saint Cinnamon Rolls.

    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.