Does Carls franchise Cinnabon bakeries, and if so, what other franchise does Cinnabon license independent third parties to operate?
Carls Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Cinnabon franchises Cinnabon® bakeries that feature oven-hot cinnamon rolls, as well as other baked treats and specialty beverages. It also licenses independent third parties to operate domestic and international franchised Cinnabon® bakeries and Seattle's Best Coffee® franchises on military bases in the United States and in certain international countries, and to use the Cinnabon trademarks on products dissimilar to those offered in Cinnabon bakeries.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 7–19)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 FDD, Carls does not franchise Cinnabon bakeries. However, Cinnabon franchises Cinnabon bakeries featuring cinnamon rolls, baked treats, and specialty beverages. Cinnabon also licenses independent third parties to operate both domestic and international franchised Cinnabon bakeries and Seattle's Best Coffee franchises on military bases in the United States and certain international countries. Additionally, Cinnabon licenses its trademarks for products that are different from those offered in Cinnabon bakeries.
Carls is affiliated with Cinnabon through a common parent company, GoTo Foods Inc. GoTo Foods is the indirect parent company to seven franchisors: Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister's, Moe's, and Schlotzsky's. None of these affiliated programs operate a Carls franchise.
For a prospective Carls franchisee, this means that while Carls and Cinnabon are related through their parent company, GoTo Foods, investing in a Carls franchise does not automatically grant any rights or affiliation with Cinnabon or Seattle's Best Coffee. If a franchisee is interested in those brands, they would need to explore those opportunities separately.