What costs are Cinnabon franchisees responsible for when completing a Refresh or Remodel of their franchise?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e Franchised Business without our prior written consent.
12.6 Refreshes and Remodels.
- A. Refresh. Within six months after the fifth and the fifteenth anniversaries of the Opening Date, you must, at your sole expense and in accordance with our then-current Standards and directives, refresh, refurbish, and renovate the Franchised Business to meet our then-current operational and branding Standards (a "Refresh"). Generally, a Refresh will require you to add, update, and/or replace components of the Franchised Business (including merchandising elements, graphics, paint or wall coverings, menu boards, interior and exterior signage, kitchen equipment, drive-thru equipment, Computer System components, and other furniture, fixtures, equipment, and décor that we may specify in our sole discretion) to meet our then-current Standards without significantly altering your Franchised Business' layout or structure.
- B. Remodel. Within six months after the tenth and (if you are entering into a Renewal Term) twentieth anniversaries of the Opening Date, you must, at your sole expense and in accordance with our then-current Standards and directives, remodel, refurbish, renovate, and modernize the Franchised Business to meet our then-current operational, branding, and architectural design Standards (a "Remodel"). Generally, a Remodel may include all of the modifications, upgrades, and replacements required in a Refresh, plus other more extensive alterations to your Franchised Business' layout, structure, or design, such as redesigning the interior and exterior appearance and interior layout of the Franchised Business or adding a drivethru to a Franchised Business.
- C. Process for Refreshes and Remodels. Before you begin a Refresh or a Remodel, we, our affiliate, or our designee will in-person or virtually inspect your Franchised Business and produce a site survey and/or design plan that will comply with our then-current Standards. We may require you to pay us, our affiliate, or our designee our then-current fee for producing such site survey and/or design plan, which may be increased in any calendar year by no more than the Allowed Adjustment. All plans, designs, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and décor related to a Refresh or a Remodel must be approved by us in writing, must conform to our then-current Standards and applicable Laws, and, if we so require, must be purchased from Approved Suppliers we designate or approve in writing. For each Remodel, you must comply with Sections 6.1 (Leasehold Improvements), 6.2 (Architectural Plans), and 6.3 (Construction, Inspection, and Government Approvals) of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 114–399)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for the expenses associated with remodeling or refreshing their franchised business. Specifically, within six months after the fifth and fifteenth anniversaries of the Opening Date, franchisees must refresh, refurbish, and renovate the Franchised Business at their sole expense. Similarly, within six months after the tenth and twentieth anniversaries of the Opening Date, franchisees must remodel, refurbish, renovate, and modernize the Franchised Business, again at their sole expense. These activities must align with Cinnabon's then-current standards and directives.
The costs include any capital expenditures required to meet Cinnabon's requirements, even if these expenditures cannot be amortized over the remaining term of the franchise agreement. Before starting a Refresh or Remodel, Cinnabon, its affiliate, or its designee will inspect the Franchised Business and create a site survey and/or design plan. Cinnabon may require the franchisee to pay a fee for this service, which can increase annually by no more than the Allowed Adjustment.
All plans, designs, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and décor must be approved by Cinnabon in writing and conform to their standards and applicable laws. If required by Cinnabon, these items must be purchased from approved suppliers. For each Remodel, franchisees must comply with specific sections of the Franchise Agreement related to leasehold improvements, architectural plans, and construction, inspection, and government approvals. The FDD emphasizes that these Refreshes or Remodels may require a significant capital investment from the franchisee.