In a Cinnabon co-branded franchise, what standard must the franchisee meet regarding duties and obligations set forth in the franchise agreements of both concepts?

According to the 2025 Cinnabon FDD, a franchisee operating a co-branded Cinnabon location must comply with the most stringent duties and obligations outlined in both the Cinnabon franchise agreement and the co-branded franchise agreement. This means that if one franchise agreement has stricter requirements than the other, the franchisee must adhere to the stricter standard.

This requirement ensures that the Cinnabon brand and its co-branded partner maintain consistent standards of operation and quality. It also means that prospective franchisees need to carefully review and understand the terms of both franchise agreements before investing in a co-branded location. Franchisees must be prepared to meet the higher standards, which could involve additional costs or operational requirements.

Cinnabon retains the right to communicate with the co-branded franchisor regarding any aspect of the franchisee's development or operation of the co-branded business. Cinnabon may also provide the co-branded franchisor with copies of any default or termination notices that arise under the Cinnabon franchise agreement. This open communication aims to ensure that both franchisors are aware of the franchisee's performance and compliance with both agreements, allowing for coordinated action if issues arise.