What is a 'General Contractor' according to the Cinnabon franchise agreement?

According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a General Contractor is defined as a licensed and insured general contractor designated or pre-approved by Cinnabon. Franchisees are required to engage one of these approved contractors, at their own expense, to complete the buildout of their Cinnabon bakery. However, Cinnabon may, at its sole discretion, agree in writing to accept a general contractor proposed by the franchisee.

It is important to note that Cinnabon's designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of a General Contractor does not constitute an endorsement of the contractor, nor does it render Cinnabon liable for the contractor's performance. This means that while Cinnabon provides a list of approved contractors, the franchisee bears the ultimate responsibility for selecting a competent and reliable contractor and for overseeing the buildout process.

This requirement is fairly standard in the franchise industry, as franchisors often want to ensure that the buildout of new locations meets their brand standards and complies with all applicable regulations. By requiring franchisees to use approved contractors, Cinnabon aims to maintain consistency and quality across its franchise system. However, franchisees should carefully vet any contractor they choose, even from the approved list, and ensure that they have the necessary experience and qualifications to complete the project successfully.