Can Cinnabon add or change Approved Suppliers at any time?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We have the right to require that Approved Products, other products, Proprietary Ingredients, supplies (including chemicals), furniture, fixtures, equipment, and services (collectively, "Goods") that you purchase for resale or purchase or lease for use in your Bakery: (i) meet specifications that we establish from time to time; (ii) be a specific brand, kind, or model; (iii) be purchased or leased only from Approved Suppliers; (iv) be purchased or leased only from a single source that we designate (which may include us or our affiliates or a buying cooperative organized by us or our affiliates); and/or (v) be purchased as part of a purchasing program, arrangement, or contract that we negotiate or specify. We may add or change Approved Suppliers at any time.
You must purchase all of your requirements of Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signs, menu boards, smallwares, materials, supplies, paper goods, equipment, and packaging (collectively, the "Proprietary Goods") from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers. The Proprietary Goods include printed paper, paper products, and plastic products bearing our Proprietary Marks (including, for example, dishes, containers,
cartons, bags, napkins, and packaging supplies). We may require you to purchase certain trademarked product lines consisting of t-shirts, apparel, mugs, and other merchandise and products bearing the Proprietary Marks ("Trademarked Product Lines") from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers. In addition, if we conduct test marketing to determine consumer trends and the salability of new food or non-food products and services, you may be required to purchase a reasonable quantity of test products we specify from designated Approved Suppliers.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 59–63)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cinnabon has the right to modify the list of Approved Suppliers at any time. This means Cinnabon can add new suppliers or remove existing ones as they see fit.
This policy impacts franchisees because they are often required to purchase specific goods, such as Proprietary Ingredients, supplies, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and services, from Approved Suppliers to ensure brand consistency and quality control. Cinnabon can stipulate that these items meet certain specifications, be a specific brand or model, or be purchased through a designated single source, which could include Cinnabon or its affiliates.
The ability of Cinnabon to change Approved Suppliers gives them flexibility in managing their supply chain and ensuring quality standards are met. However, it also means that franchisees must be prepared to adapt to changes in suppliers and potentially adjust their purchasing practices accordingly. Franchisees are required to purchase Proprietary Goods from Cinnabon, its affiliates, or designated Approved Suppliers, including items bearing Cinnabon's Proprietary Marks. This requirement extends to Trademarked Product Lines and test products used in marketing initiatives, further emphasizing the control Cinnabon maintains over its brand and product offerings.