What is the 'Co-Branded Agreement' referring to in the Carvel FDD?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We also refer to Cinnabon as the "Co-Branded Franchisor," the Cinnabon® franchise as the "Co-Branded Franchise," and the Cinnabon® Franchise Agreement as the "Co-Branded Agreement."
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, a 'Co-Branded Agreement' refers to the Cinnabon Franchise Agreement. This agreement is essential for franchisees interested in operating a Cinnabon Co-Branded Shoppe or a Swirl Shoppe, which combines Carvel and Cinnabon products.
To operate a Cinnabon Co-Branded Shoppe, a franchisee must purchase both a Carvel franchise and a Cinnabon franchise. This involves signing a Franchise Agreement with Carvel, along with the Cinnabon Co-Branded Shoppe Schedule, and a separate franchise agreement with Cinnabon, including a co-branded schedule. The FDD emphasizes that Carvel will not grant the right to operate a Co-Branded Shoppe unless Cinnabon agrees to offer a Cinnabon franchise for operation at a co-branded location.
Similarly, for a Swirl Shoppe, which operates under the Cinnabon Swirl™ mark, franchisees need to acquire both franchises and sign the respective schedules. The terms and conditions of the Cinnabon franchise are detailed in Cinnabon's own Disclosure Document, which prospective franchisees must obtain directly from Cinnabon. This dual-franchise requirement highlights the integrated nature of the co-branded concept and the necessity of adhering to both Carvel's and Cinnabon's operational and brand standards.