When did Auntie Anne's become affiliated with GoTo Foods, which also includes Carvel?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Auntie Anne's franchises Auntie Anne's® shops that offer soft pretzels, lemonade, frozen drinks, and related foods and beverages. In November 2010, the Auntie Anne's system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Auntie Anne's has offered franchises since April 2017, and its predecessor offered franchises from January 1991 to April 2017. As of December 31,
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–24)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Auntie Anne's became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2010 through an acquisition. GoTo Foods is the indirect parent company to several franchisors, including Carvel, Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Schlotzsky's, Moe's, Jamba, and McAlister's.
This affiliation means that Auntie Anne's, like Carvel, is under the umbrella of GoTo Foods, which may provide certain support and services to franchisees. This could potentially lead to synergies in areas such as supply chain management, marketing, or technology, which could benefit franchisees of both brands.
For a prospective Carvel franchisee, this shared parent company structure could present opportunities for co-branding or cross-promotional activities with other GoTo Foods brands, depending on the specific franchise agreement and available formats like the Express Shoppe or Hosted Express Shoppe. It also suggests a degree of standardization and shared resources across the GoTo Foods portfolio, which could impact the way Carvel franchises are operated and supported.