Is Cinnabon required to identify approved suppliers for goods used in my bakery?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
sole discretion and upon your request, grant you an extension to any of these deadlines for a fee. We may terminate your Franchise Agreement (without refunding the Initial Franchise Fee) if you fail to meet the Site Approval Deadline or the Construction Start Deadline and fail to cure such failure within 30 days or if you do not meet the Opening Deadline. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.5)
Obligations After Opening
During the operation of your Bakery, we will fulfill the following obligations:
- 1. Approved Suppliers. We will continue to identify Approved Suppliers for Goods to be used in your Bakery. (Franchise Agreement, Sections 7.1 and 7.2)
- 2. Review Proposed Suppliers and Goods. If you would like to offer products or use any Goods that we have not approved or to purchase or lease from a Supplier that we have not approved, you must submit a written request for approval and provide us with any information that we request, which we will review and approve or disapprove. See Item 8. (Franchise Agreement, Sections 7.3)
- 3. Ad Fund Management. We will manage the Ad Fund as described below in this Item. (Franchise Agreement, Section 10.3)
- 4. Update Standards and Manuals. We will provide you with notice of any changes to our specifications, Standards, or the Manuals. You must immediately adopt any supplements to the Manuals that we provide to you. (Franchise Agreement, Section 8.3)
- **5.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 66–82)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cinnabon Franchise Disclosure Document, Cinnabon is obligated to identify approved suppliers for goods used in your bakery. Specifically, Cinnabon states that they "will continue to identify Approved Suppliers for Goods to be used in your Bakery." This means that as a franchisee, you are required to purchase goods from suppliers that Cinnabon has pre-approved.
This requirement ensures that all Cinnabon bakeries maintain consistent product quality and adhere to brand standards. Cinnabon also states that they will identify Approved Suppliers for all Goods required to be used in the Bakery and use reasonable efforts to fulfill or cause Approved Suppliers to fulfill your orders for Goods on a timely basis.
However, if Cinnabon, its affiliates, or its approved suppliers cannot provide the requested quantity and type of goods, they will attempt to allocate available quantities equitably among franchisees. Cinnabon clarifies that if you do not receive goods from them, their affiliates, or approved suppliers, it will not be considered a breach of the Franchise Agreement, and they will not be liable to you. If you would like to offer products or use any Goods that Cinnabon has not approved or to purchase or lease from a Supplier that they have not approved, you must submit a written request for approval and provide Cinnabon with any information that they request, which they will review and approve or disapprove.