What does 'Approved Products' mean in the Cinnabon franchise agreement?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 4. Recital A: "Approved Products" means cinnamon rolls, Bakery products, specialty coffee, specialty beverages, and other food products, beverage products, and related services we approve.
- 20. Section 22.11 (Additional Terms; Inconsistent Terms): The following additional terms amend the applicable Sections of the Agreement:
- A. Section 1.1 (Grant of Franchise) is amended to add the following sentence:
Your Franchised Business shall operate as a Cinnabon® express bakery, which shall sell a limited selection of Approved Products designated by us from within a facility operated by a third party (an "Express Bakery").
- 20. Section 22.11 (Additional Terms; Inconsistent Terms): The following additional terms amend the applicable Sections of the Agreement:
- A. Section 1.1 (Grant of Franchise) is amended to add the following sentence:
Your Franchised Business shall operate as a Cinnabon® food truck (a "Concession Bakery"), which shall sell a limited selection of Approved Products designated by us. H. Section 7.2 (Approved Products) is amended by adding the following:
Notwithstanding the foregoing, you acknowledge and agree that you must obtain our prior written approval of the limited menu offered at the Franchised Business.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 114–399)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cinnabon Franchise Disclosure Document, "Approved Products" are defined as cinnamon rolls, bakery products, specialty coffee, specialty beverages, and other food products, beverage products, and related services that Cinnabon approves. This definition is crucial as it outlines the scope of products a franchisee is authorized to sell under the Cinnabon franchise.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that you are generally limited to selling items that Cinnabon has explicitly approved. However, the agreement also notes that for certain franchise types like Concession Bakeries and Express Bakeries, franchisees may be restricted to selling only a limited selection of approved products specifically designated by Cinnabon. Furthermore, franchisees must obtain prior written approval from Cinnabon for the limited menu offered at the Franchised Business.
This stipulation allows Cinnabon to maintain consistency and quality across all franchise locations, protecting the brand's reputation. It also enables Cinnabon to control the product mix and introduce new items strategically. A potential franchisee should seek clarity on what specific products are included in the "limited selection" for their particular franchise type and understand the process for requesting approval for new menu items.