What are the maintenance obligations for a Cinnabon franchise, specifically regarding cleanliness and repair?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You acknowledge and agree that it is in your best interest, and in the best interests of the franchise network, that your Franchised Business be clean, up-to-date, well-maintained, and well-appointed.
You must continuously maintain the interior and exterior of the Franchised Business (including the parking lot, walkways, and landscaping that is part of the Accepted Location), and all furniture, fixtures, equipment, décor, and signage in or at the Franchised Business, in the highest degree of cleanliness, orderliness, sanitation, and repair in accordance with all applicable Laws and Standards.
You agree, at your expense and at intervals that we may periodically designate, as needed, or at our direction, to promptly take the following
continuing maintenance actions throughout the Term: (i) thorough cleaning (which may include professional cleaning), (ii) repainting and making minor alterations to the décor of the interior and exterior of the Franchised Business; (iii) interior and exterior repair of the Franchised Business; and (iv) repair or replacement of damaged, worn-out, malfunctioning, non-functioning, or obsolete furniture, fixtures, equipment, décor, and signage. You may not make any material alteration to the interior or exterior of the Franchised Business without our prior written consent.
12.6 Refreshes and Remodels.
- A.
Refresh.
Within six months after the fifth and the fifteenth anniversaries of the Opening Date, you must, at your sole expense and in accordance with our then-current Standards and directives, refresh, refurbish, and renovate the Franchised Business to meet our then-current operational and branding Standards (a "Refresh").
Generally, a Refresh will require you to add, update, and/or replace components of the Franchised Business (including merchandising elements, graphics, paint or wall coverings, menu boards, interior and exterior signage, kitchen equipment, drive-thru equipment, Computer System components, and other furniture, fixtures, equipment, and décor that we may specify in our sole discretion) to meet our then-current Standards without significantly altering your Franchised Business' layout or structure.
- B.
Remodel.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 114–399)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cinnabon Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must maintain a high standard of cleanliness, orderliness, sanitation, and repair for both the interior and exterior of their franchised business. This includes the parking lot, walkways, landscaping, furniture, fixtures, equipment, décor, and signage. The franchisee is responsible for the costs associated with these maintenance activities.
The maintenance actions include thorough cleaning (potentially involving professional services), repainting, and making minor alterations to the décor of the interior and exterior. Franchisees are also obligated to handle interior and exterior repairs, as well as repair or replace any damaged, worn-out, malfunctioning, non-functioning, or obsolete furniture, fixtures, equipment, décor, and signage. However, franchisees cannot make any significant changes to the interior or exterior of the business without prior written consent from Cinnabon.
In addition to ongoing maintenance, Cinnabon requires franchisees to undertake more extensive Refresh and Remodel activities. Within six months after the fifth and fifteenth anniversaries of the store's opening date, franchisees must refresh, refurbish, and renovate the location to meet Cinnabon's then-current operational and branding standards. These refreshes may involve adding, updating, or replacing various components of the business, such as merchandising elements, graphics, paint, menu boards, signage, kitchen equipment, computer systems, and other furniture and décor. These standards can change at Cinnabon's discretion.