If operating a co-branded franchise with Cinnabon, what condition must be met to obtain a renewal term?

According to the 2025 Cinnabon Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee operating a co-branded location must obtain the right from the Co-Branded Franchisor to continue to operate the Co-Branded Franchise at the Accepted Location for the duration of the Renewal Term. This may require the franchisee to meet certain renewal conditions required by the Co-Branded Franchisor, potentially including signing a renewal Co-Branded Agreement. This condition is in addition to any other renewal requirements Cinnabon may have.

In practical terms, this means that a Cinnabon franchisee in a co-branded location must satisfy the renewal requirements of both Cinnabon and the co-branding partner (e.g., Carvel). Failure to meet the co-branding partner's requirements could prevent the Cinnabon franchise from being renewed, even if all other conditions are met. The franchisee should carefully review the co-branding agreement to understand all renewal conditions and obligations.

This requirement highlights the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with the co-branding partner and understanding the terms of their franchise agreement. Prospective franchisees should inquire about the specific renewal conditions imposed by the Co-Branded Franchisor and factor those requirements into their long-term business planning. This dual-renewal requirement is not typical in standard, single-brand franchise agreements, so it introduces an additional layer of complexity and risk that franchisees must manage.