Are Cinnabon Express Bakery franchisees required to participate in the Advertising Fund or Advertising Cooperatives?

According to the 2025 Cinnabon FDD, Express Bakery franchisees are not required to participate in the Advertising Fund or Advertising Cooperatives. The FDD states that Section 10.3 (Advertising Fund) and Section 10.4 (Advertising Cooperatives) are deleted in their entirety for Express Bakeries. This means that Express Bakery franchisees do not have a mandatory contribution to the national advertising fund, nor are they required to participate in local or regional advertising cooperatives.

This differs from standard Cinnabon franchisees, who typically contribute to the Ad Fund and may be required to participate in Advertising Cooperatives. The deletion of these sections suggests a different advertising strategy for Express Bakeries, possibly due to their unique locations within host facilities. This could mean a lower overall cost of operation for Express Bakery franchisees, as they avoid these advertising expenses.

However, it is important to note that while Express Bakery franchisees are not required to participate in these advertising programs, Cinnabon retains the right to conduct advertising and promotional programs at its sole discretion. These programs may or may not directly benefit the Express Bakery franchisee. Prospective franchisees should inquire about any optional advertising opportunities or support available to Express Bakeries to understand how they can promote their specific location.