For Cinnabon, are single-branded businesses considered Co-Branded Businesses?
Cinnabon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
you must sign standard documentation we prepare, which includes a general release, to document the Area of Protection.] If you relocate the Franchised Business pursuant to Section 5.5 (Relocation of the Franchised Business), we will specify an Area of Protection for the new location.
B. Protected Rights. [For Auntie Anne's Co-Branded Bakeries:] During the Term, we will not establish or operate, nor license any other person to establish or operate, a Business operating under the Marks and the System that is co-branded and co-located with an Auntie Anne's® business that is operated under the Auntie Anne's® marks and(a "Co-Branded Business") at a Streetside Location within the Area of Protection. "Streetside Locations" include freestanding, inline, and endcap locations on city streets or in shopping centers (including power centers, lifestyle centers, and strip centers, but excluding malls (enclosed and open air) and outlet malls and centers).
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 114–399)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Cinnabon FDD, single-branded businesses are explicitly excluded from being considered Co-Branded Businesses. Specifically, for Carvel Co-Branded Bakeries, the document states that "Co-Branded Businesses do not include single-branded Businesses". This means that a Cinnabon location operating solely under the Cinnabon brand, without any co-branding with another franchise like Carvel or Auntie Anne's, is not classified as a Co-Branded Business under the terms of the franchise agreement.
This distinction is important for prospective franchisees because it affects various aspects of the franchise agreement, including protected rights and potentially royalty fees. The FDD specifies different terms and conditions for Co-Branded Businesses compared to single-branded businesses. For example, the franchisor's obligations regarding protected territories may vary depending on whether the business is co-branded or not.
For a Cinnabon franchisee, understanding this definition is crucial for determining their rights and obligations under the franchise agreement. If a franchisee is considering opening a Cinnabon location, they should clarify with the franchisor whether the location will be single-branded or co-branded, as this will impact the terms of their agreement and the operational requirements of their business.