Who is responsible for engaging a General Contractor for a Cinnabon buildout?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 4. General Contractor. We will designate or pre-approve one or more licensed and insured general contractors (a "General Contractor") that 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.
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, the franchisee is responsible for engaging a General Contractor to complete the buildout of their Cinnabon location. However, Cinnabon maintains some control over this process. Specifically, Cinnabon will either designate or pre-approve the General Contractor that the franchisee must use.
The FDD states that the franchisee is responsible for the expense of the General Contractor. Cinnabon does allow the franchisee to propose their own General Contractor, but Cinnabon has the sole discretion on whether to accept the proposed contractor in writing.
It is important to note that Cinnabon's designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of a General Contractor does not constitute an endorsement of the contractor. Cinnabon is not liable for the General Contractor's performance. This means that while Cinnabon provides a list of approved contractors, the franchisee ultimately bears the risk of the contractor's work quality and adherence to the agreed-upon buildout plan.