Who is responsible for engaging an Architect for a Cinnabon buildout?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
hat you must engage, at your own expense, to complete your buildout, unless we, in our sole discretion, agree in writing to accept a General Contractor that you propose. Our designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of a General Contractor will not in any way be our endorsement of such General Contractor or render us liable for such General Contractor's performance. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.1.A.
- 5. Architect. We will designate or pre-approve one or more licensed architects (an "Architect") that you must engage, at your own expense, to develop architectural plans, unless
we, in our sole discretion, agree in writing to accept an Architect that you propose. Our designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of an Architect will not in any way be our endorsement of such Architect or render us liable for such Architect's performance or such Architect's compliance with professional design standards or adherence to local codes. You also must engage, at your expense, licensed engineers (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers), as necessary or appropriate. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.2.A.(i))
- 6. Plans and Build-out. We will provide a sample layout and specifications for the Bakery. We will review the Architectural Plans developed by your Architect and engineers. Our review of the Architectural Plans is limited to ensuring your compliance with our Standards and is not designed to assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable laws. After our initial review of your Architectural Plans at no cost and our review of one revised set of Architectural Plans that incorporate our required changes at no cost, we may charge a fee of $2,500 for each set of drawings we review that include any other modifications from the plans that we have previously accepted. We must accept your Architectural Plans in writing prior to you submitting them for permits and
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 66–82)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnabon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for engaging an architect for the buildout of their location. Cinnabon will designate or pre-approve one or more licensed architects that the franchisee must engage at their own expense to develop architectural plans. However, Cinnabon may agree in writing to accept an architect that the franchisee proposes.
Cinnabon's designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of an architect does not constitute an endorsement and does not render Cinnabon liable for the architect's performance or their compliance with professional design standards or adherence to local codes. The franchisee is also responsible for engaging licensed engineers (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers) at their own expense, as necessary or appropriate.
After the architect develops the plans, Cinnabon will review the architectural plans developed by the franchisee's architect and engineers to ensure compliance with their standards, but this review is not designed to assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable laws. Cinnabon will review the initial architectural plans at no cost, as well as one revised set of architectural plans that incorporate Cinnabon's required changes at no cost. However, Cinnabon may charge a fee of $2,500 for each set of drawings they review that include any other modifications from the plans that they have previously accepted. The franchisee must receive written acceptance of the architectural plans from Cinnabon before submitting them for permits and beginning construction.
During the construction process, Cinnabon may inspect the franchisee's bakery or photographs provided by the franchisee to verify compliance with the architectural plans and Cinnabon's standards. Cinnabon may charge a $2,500 on-site inspection fee if they conduct two or more on-site inspections. The franchisee may not open the bakery until Cinnabon provides written consent.