Does Cinnabon have Approved Suppliers for the POS System?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are required to purchase most of the components of the Computer System that we specify from Approved Suppliers. Currently, we have Approved Suppliers for our POS System and for certain software that you must use in your Bakery, including the Learning Management System. We also require you to use designated Approved Suppliers for point-to-point encryption ("P2PE") solutions (hardware and software) that are used in cooperation with your POS System to provide secure and compliant payment processing services. If we require you to use any proprietary software or to purchase any software from a designated vendor, you must execute any software license agreements that we or the licensor of the software require and any related software maintenance agreements. We may require you to maintain certain network connections, which may include using an Internet Service Provider or other communications provider that we approve or designate. Currently, we require you to obtain the POS System from our designated vendor (and we may collect from you the related upfront and ongoing fees for such POS System and pay the vendor on your behalf) and POS System support services from our affiliate. We may require you to maintain other support service contracts and/or maintenance service contracts from us, our affiliates, or 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, franchisees are required to purchase most components of the Computer System from Approved Suppliers. Currently, Cinnabon has Approved Suppliers for its POS System and certain software, including the Learning Management System. Franchisees must also use designated Approved Suppliers for point-to-point encryption ("P2PE") solutions, which include both hardware and software used with the POS System to ensure secure payment processing.
Cinnabon requires franchisees to obtain the POS System from a designated vendor, and Cinnabon may collect upfront and ongoing fees from franchisees to pay the vendor on their behalf. POS System support services must be obtained from Cinnabon's affiliate. Cinnabon may also require franchisees to maintain other support service contracts and/or maintenance service contracts from Cinnabon, its affiliates, or designated Approved Suppliers.
For a prospective Cinnabon franchisee, this means they do not have the freedom to choose their own POS system or related services. They must use Cinnabon's designated vendors and systems. This ensures consistency across the brand but may limit a franchisee's ability to negotiate better rates or use a preferred vendor. It is important to note that Cinnabon and its affiliates may receive payments from these Approved Suppliers based on franchisee purchases.