Is an Advertising Contribution charged for Cinnabon Express Bakeries located within a Schlotzsky's?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Fee1, 5 | Amount | Date Due | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branded Bakeries): Currently, 2.5% of Net Sales Auntie Anne's Co Branded Bakeries in Other Locations: Currently, 2.5% of Net Sales attributed to Cinnabon and 2% of Net Sales attributed to Auntie Anne's Bakeries in Streetside Locations: Currently, 3% of Net Sales Swirl Bakeries (any location): Currently, 3% of Net Sales Express Bakeries in a Schlotzsky's: Not charged | You must contribute the Advertising Contribution to the Ad Fund (as defined in Item 11). For all Bakeries, except Express Bakeries in a Schlotzsky's, we may increase the Advertising Contribution at any time by notice to franchisees. However, your required Advertising Contribution and Local Marketing Obligation (as defined below) may not collectively exceed 5% of your Net Sales. This table indicates the current Advertising Contributions and already-announced scheduled increases. For Co-Branded Bakeries, we will collect the Advertising Contribution based on the portion of Net Sales attributable to products that we and Co Branded Franchisor have agreed to credit to the Cinnabon side of the Co-Branded Bakery, and the Co-Branded Franchisor will collect a separate advertising contribution (as specified in its Disclosure Document) based on the portion of Net Sales attributable to products that we and the Co Branded Franchisor have agreed to credit to the Co-Branded Franchise's side of the Co-Branded Bakery. |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 31–45)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Express Bakeries located within a Schlotzsky's are not charged an Advertising Contribution fee. Other types of Cinnabon locations, such as Branded Bakeries, Auntie Anne's Co-Branded Bakeries in Other Locations, Bakeries in Streetside Locations, and Swirl Bakeries (in any location) do pay an Advertising Contribution.
For other Cinnabon locations, the franchisee must contribute to the Ad Fund. The amount varies depending on the type of bakery. For example, Branded Bakeries currently pay 2.5% of Net Sales. Auntie Anne's Co-Branded Bakeries in Other Locations pay 2.5% of Net Sales attributed to Cinnabon and 2% of Net Sales attributed to Auntie Anne's. Bakeries in Streetside Locations pay 3% of Net Sales, as do Swirl Bakeries in any location.
Cinnabon has the right to increase the Advertising Contribution for all Bakeries except Express Bakeries in a Schlotzsky's with notice to franchisees. However, the required Advertising Contribution and Local Marketing Obligation together cannot exceed 5% of Net Sales. For Co-Branded Bakeries, Cinnabon collects the Advertising Contribution based on the portion of Net Sales attributable to Cinnabon products, while the Co-Branded Franchisor collects a separate advertising contribution based on the portion of Net Sales attributable to its products.