When did Auntie Anne's become affiliated with GoTo Foods, relative to Cinnabon?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
anchises in any other line of business.
Auntie Anne's franchises Auntie Anne's® shops that offer soft pretzels, lemonade, frozen drinks, and related foods and beverages. In November 2010, the Auntie Anne's system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Auntie Anne's has offered franchises since April 2017, and its predecessor offered franchises from January 1991 to April 2017. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,182 franchised and 11 affiliate-owned Auntie Anne's® shops in the United States and 815 franchised Auntie Anne's® shops outside the United States.
Carvel franchises Carvel® ice cream shoppes and is a leading retailer of branded ice cream cakes and producer of premium soft-serve ice cream. The Carvel system became an affiliated program in October 2001. Carvel has offered franchises since April 2017, and its predecessors offered franchises from 1947 to April 2017. As of December 31, 2024, there were 336 franchised Carvel® shoppes in the United States and 39 franchised Carvel® shoppes outside the United States.
Jamba franchises Jamba® stores that feature a wide variety of fresh blended-to-order smoothies and other cold or hot beverages and offer fresh squeezed juices and portable food items to customers who come for snacks and light meals. In September 2018, Jamba's predecessor, JJ, became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Jamba has offered Jamba® franchises since October 2018, and its predecessor offered franchises from 1991 to October 2018.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cinnabon FDD, Auntie Anne's became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2010. The FDD also states that Cinnabon LLC (CLLC), Cinnabon's predecessor, became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2004. Therefore, Auntie Anne's became affiliated with GoTo Foods approximately six years after Cinnabon's predecessor CLLC.
This affiliation means that both Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's are under the umbrella of GoTo Foods, which is the indirect parent company to several franchisors. GoTo Foods provides support and services to Cinnabon franchisees, and also acts as Cinnabon's franchise sales agent.
For a prospective Cinnabon franchisee, this shared affiliation could present opportunities for co-branding. The FDD mentions the possibility of operating an Auntie Anne's Co-Branded Bakery, where a franchisee can sell Cinnabon products alongside Auntie Anne's products. However, this requires purchasing franchises from both Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's, and obtaining approval from both franchisors.