When is the initial franchise fee due for a Cinnabon franchise?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
em 9 | $10,500 | $32,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Vendors | | Smallwares 10 | $3,000 | $12,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Vendors | | Architect/Engineer 11 | $8,500 | $27,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Architect | | Rent 12 | $2,000 | $10,000 | Monthly | As arranged | Lessors |
| Type of Expenditure | Amount of E | Expenditure | Method of | When Payments Are | To Whom Payment Will |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type or Emperiorities | Low High | Payment | Due | Be Made | |
| Grand Opening | $6,000 | $25,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Vendors or |
| Marketing 13 | Us | ||||
| Legal and Accounting Fees 14 | $7,000 | $12,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Lawyers and accountants |
| Insurance 15 | $1,575 | $8,200 | As incurred | Before opening | Insurance companies |
| Misc. Opening | $13,000 | $25,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Vendors |
| Costs/Office | |||||
| Supplies 16 | |||||
| Security Deposits 17 | $0 | $15,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Utility companies; |
Source: Item 7 — Estimated Initial Investment (FDD pages 45–59)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee is due at the signing of the Franchise Agreement. The amount of this fee varies depending on the type of Cinnabon franchise. For a standard Cinnabon bakery, the initial franchise fee is $30,500. For a Co-Branded Bakery, which combines Cinnabon with another brand like Auntie Anne's or Carvel, the initial franchise fee is $61,000 or $66,000.
Specifically, for Co-Branded Bakeries, the initial franchise fee includes both the fee paid to Cinnabon and the fee paid to the co-branding partner. For example, a Co-Branded Bakery with Auntie Anne's requires a $30,500 payment to Cinnabon and a $35,500 payment to Auntie Anne's, totaling $66,000. A Co-Branded Bakery with Carvel requires a $30,500 payment to Cinnabon and a $30,500 payment to Carvel, totaling $61,000.
This means that a prospective Cinnabon franchisee must have the full initial franchise fee amount available at the time of signing the franchise agreement. This fee is a one-time, lump-sum payment. It's important to note that these fees are generally non-refundable, so a potential franchisee should carefully consider their decision before signing the agreement.