Is a Cinnabon franchisee required to participate in Gift Card and Loyalty Programs?

According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must participate in the Gift Card and Loyalty Programs that Cinnabon establishes. Franchisees must have a sufficient number of gift cards available for sale to meet customer demands. The Gift Card and Loyalty Programs may change periodically in process, style, and design, and the most current authorized version must be available in the Bakery. Franchisees must accept gift cards as payment for purchases made from the Bakery.

Cinnabon may also establish temporary or permanent promotional campaigns such as limited time offers, gift cards, coupons, and loyalty programs. Franchisees are required to participate in these promotional programs at their own cost, including the costs to purchase, lease, and install all necessary materials, such as counter cards, posters, banners, signs, photographs, give-away items, and gift cards.

Cinnabon also has the right to control all aspects of any Digital Marketing, including those related to a franchisee's Bakery. Digital Marketing includes websites, social media accounts, applications, keyword or adword purchasing programs, accounts with websites featuring gift certificates or discounted coupons, mobile applications, online videos, display banner campaigns, e-mail marketing campaigns, or other means of digital advertising on the Internet or any other means of digital or electronic communications that are intended to promote the Proprietary Marks, a franchisee's Bakery, and the entire network of Bakeries.

These requirements ensure brand consistency and allow Cinnabon to implement system-wide marketing strategies. While participation is mandatory, franchisees should factor in the costs associated with these programs, including purchasing materials and potentially installing new systems, when assessing the overall investment and potential profitability of a Cinnabon franchise.