When must a Cinnabon franchisee deliver the Site Agreement to the franchisor?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must deliver a copy of the signed lease, sublease, or other rental agreement for the location (the "Lease") or purchase agreement for the location (the "Purchase Agreement" and, collectively with the Lease, the "Site Agreement") to us with all material terms specified therein. You will be solely responsible for negotiation of the terms of the Site Agreement and performance under the Site Agreement. We will have the right, but not the obligation, to review your Site Agreement prior to its execution to verify its compliance with our requirements. (Franchise Agreement, Section 5.4)
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 66–82)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must provide a copy of the signed lease, sublease, or other rental agreement (Lease) or purchase agreement (Purchase Agreement), collectively known as the Site Agreement, to Cinnabon with all material terms specified. The FDD does not specify a deadline for delivering the Site Agreement. However, for a Full Bakery, the franchisee must identify and obtain Cinnabon's acceptance of the location, sign required documentation, obtain acceptance of a Lease, and sign the accepted Lease or acquire ownership rights within 150 days after signing the Franchise Agreement, which is referred to as the Site Approval Deadline. For an Express Bakery, the Site Approval Deadline is within 60 days after signing the Franchise Agreement.
While Cinnabon retains the right, but not the obligation, to review the Site Agreement before it is executed to ensure compliance with their requirements, the franchisee bears the sole responsibility for negotiating the terms and fulfilling the obligations outlined in the Site Agreement.
Since the FDD does not explicitly state when the Site Agreement must be delivered to Cinnabon, it is important for prospective franchisees to clarify this with the franchisor. Understanding the specific timing requirements for submitting the Site Agreement is crucial for adhering to the franchise agreement and ensuring a smooth establishment process.