When did the Carvel system become affiliated with GoTo Foods in relation to Nothing Bundt Cakes?
Nothing_Bundt_Cakes Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Carvel franchises Carvel® ice cream shoppes and is a leading retailer of branded ice cream cakes in the United States and a producer of premium soft-serve ice cream. The Carvel system became an Affiliated Program in October 2001 and became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2004. Carvel's predecessor began franchising retail ice cream shoppes in 1947. As of December 31, 2024, there were 336 franchised Carvel shoppes in the United States and 39 franchised Carvel shoppes outside the United States.
Cinnabon franchises Cinnabon® bakeries that feature oven-hot cinnamon rolls, as well as other baked treats and specialty beverages. It also licenses independent third parties to operate domestic and international franchised Cinnabon® bakeries and Seattle's Best Coffee® franchises on military bases in the United States and in certain international countries, and to use the Cinnabon trademarks on products dissimilar to those offered in Cinnabon bakeries. In November 2004, the Cinnabon system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Cinnabon's predecessor began franchising in 1990. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,002 franchised and 28 affiliate-owned Cinnabon bakeries in the United States, 1,040 franchised Cinnabon bakeries outside the United States, and 193 franchised Seattle's Best Coffee units outside the United States.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–19)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Nothing Bundt Cakes' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Carvel system became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2004. The FDD states that Nothing Bundt Cakes is affiliated with other franchise programs through control with private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC. GoTo Foods is the indirect parent company to several franchisors, including Carvel.
This affiliation means that while you are investing in a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise, the parent company also has ownership stakes in other well-known franchise systems. This could provide some level of stability or shared resources, but it's important to remember that each franchise operates independently.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that Nothing Bundt Cakes does not manage or control the operations of Carvel or any other affiliated franchise. The success of your Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery will depend on the Nothing Bundt Cakes system, your efforts, and local market conditions, not on the performance of these other brands.