Does Cinnaholic provide financing indirectly?
Cinnaholic Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In addition to all other amounts required to be paid hereunder, during the term hereof, Franchisee must pay to Franchisor, or such other entity designated by Franchisor, an amount based upon Gross Sales to be designated by Franchisor from time to time, in its sole discretion, provided such amount shall not exceed 2% of Gross Sales (the "Advertising Fee"), which amount shall be used by the Advertising Fund (as such term is hereinafter defined). The Advertising Fee shall be the same for all CINNAHOLIC® franchisees. Payment of the Advertising Fee shall be made on or before Tuesday of each week and be based upon Gross Sales of the Bakery for the preceding week. Advertising Fees shall be paid concurrently with the payment of the Royalty Fees.
The Advertising Fee will be expended for the benefit of Franchisor, Franchisee and all other franchisees or users of the CINNAHOLIC® for the production or purchase of such radio, television, print and/or other advertising materials or services as Franchisor deems necessary or appropriate, in its sole discretion, on a national, regional or local basis (the "Advertising Fund"). The expenditure of such funds for advertising is to be under the control of, and in the discretion of, Franchisor at all times, or such other entities designated by Franchisor. Franchisee understands and acknowledges that the Advertising Fund is intended to maximize and support general public recognition, brand identity, sales and patronage of CINNAHOLIC® Bakeries for the benefit of all CINNAHOLIC® Bakeries and that Franchisor undertakes no obligation to ensure that the Advertising Fund benefits each CINNAHOLIC® Bakery in proportion to its respective contributions. Franchisor agrees that all funds contributed to the Advertising Fund may be used to meet any and all costs (including, without limitation, reasonable salaries and overhead incurred by Franchisor) of maintaining, administering, directing and preparing national, regional or local advertising materials, programs and public relations activities including, without limitation, the costs of preparing and conducting television, radio, magazine, billboard, newspaper, direct response literature, direct mailings, brochures, collateral advertising material, implementing websites for Franchisor and/or its franchises, surveys of advertising effectiveness and other media programs and activities, employing advertising agencies to assist therewith and providing promotional brochures, decals and other marketing materials.
The Advertising Fund shall be established as a separate banking account and monies received shall be accounted for separately from Franchisor's other funds and shall not be used to defray any of Franchisor's general operating expenses, except for such reasonable salaries, administrative costs and overhead as Franchisor may incur in activities reasonably related to the administration or direction of the Advertising Fund and its advertising programs (including, without limitation, conducting market research, preparing advertising and promotional materials, collecting and accounting for contributions to the Advertising Fund, paying for the preparation and distribution of financial statements, legal and accounting fees and expenses, taxes, and other reasonable direct and indirect expenses incurred by Franchisor or its authorized representatives in connection with programs funded by the Advertising Fund).
The Advertising Fund will not be Franchisor's asset.
A financial statement of the operations of the Advertising Fund shall be prepared annually, and shall be made available to Franchisee upon request.
Franchisor may spend in any fiscal year more or less than the aggregate contribution of all CINNAHOLIC® Bakeries to the Advertising Fund in that year, and the Advertising Fund may borrow from Franchisor or others to cover deficits or invest any surplus for future use.
Any lender loaning money to the Advertising Fund shall receive interest at a reasonable rate.
All interest earned on monies contributed to the Advertising Fund will be used to pay advertising costs before other assets of the Advertising Fund are expended.
Franchisor may cause the Advertising Fund to be incorporated or operated through a separate entity at such time as Franchisor may deem appropriate, and such successor entity, if established, will have all rights and duties specified in this Section.
Franchisor will not be liable for any act or omission with respect to the Advertising Fund that is consistent with this Agreement and done in good faith.
Except as expressly provided in this Section 11.2, Franchisor assumes no direct or indirect liability or obligation to Franchisee with respect to the maintenance, direction or administration of the Advertising Fund.
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor is not operating or acting as a trustee or fiduciary with respect to the Advertising Fees collected.
Franchisee agrees to participate in any promotion, marketing or advertising campaigns created by the Advertising Fund.
Source: Item 10 — FINANCING (FDD page 27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cinnaholic does not directly offer financing to franchisees. However, the FDD indicates that the Advertising Fund, which collects Advertising Fees not exceeding 2% of Gross Sales from franchisees, may borrow from Cinnaholic or others to cover deficits. Any lender loaning money to the Advertising Fund will receive interest at a reasonable rate.
This arrangement means that while Cinnaholic itself doesn't provide direct loans to franchisees for their initial investment or ongoing operations, it may indirectly finance the Advertising Fund, which in turn supports marketing and advertising efforts for all Cinnaholic locations. The Advertising Fund uses franchisee contributions to produce advertising materials and cover costs associated with maintaining advertising programs.
Prospective franchisees should note that Cinnaholic has the discretion to manage the Advertising Fund and is not obligated to ensure that each bakery benefits proportionally to its contributions. Additionally, Cinnaholic may cause the Advertising Fund to be incorporated or operated through a separate entity. Franchisees should inquire about the typical financial performance of the Advertising Fund and the terms under which it might borrow money, as this could indirectly affect the financial obligations of franchisees.