What does it mean for the Auntie Anne's system to be an 'Affiliated Program' in relation to Nothing Bundt Cakes?
Nothing_Bundt_Cakes Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Through control with private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC, we are affiliated with the following franchise programs ("Affiliated Programs"). None of these affiliates operate a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise.
GoTo Foods Inc. ("GoTo Foods") is the indirect parent company to seven franchisors, including: Auntie Anne's Franchisor SPV LLC ("Auntie Anne's"), Carvel Franchisor SPV LLC ("Carvel"), Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC ("Cinnabon"), Jamba Juice Franchisor SPV LLC ("Jamba"), McAlister's Franchisor SPV LLC ("McAlister's"), Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC ("Moe's"), and Schlotzsky's Franchisor SPV LLC ("Schlotzsky's"). All seven GoTo Foods franchisors have a principal place of business at 5620 Glenridge Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 and have not offered franchises in any other line of business.
Auntie Anne's franchises Auntie Anne's® shops that offer soft pretzels, lemonade, frozen drinks, and related foods and beverages. In November 2010, the Auntie Anne's system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Auntie Anne's predecessor began offering franchises in January 1991. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,182 franchised and 11 affiliate-owned Auntie Anne's shops in the United States and 815 franchised Auntie Anne's shops 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 the 2025 Nothing Bundt Cakes Franchise Disclosure Document, 'Affiliated Programs' refers to other franchise systems that share a common ownership structure with Nothing Bundt Cakes through private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC. Specifically, Auntie Anne's is listed as one of these Affiliated Programs. This means that while Nothing Bundt Cakes and Auntie Anne's are separate and distinct franchise systems, they are both under the umbrella of companies controlled by Roark Capital Management. None of these affiliated programs operate a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise.
For a prospective Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisee, this affiliation primarily indicates the potential for shared resources, expertise, and best practices across the various franchise brands within the Roark Capital Management portfolio. It also suggests a degree of financial stability and sophistication due to the involvement of a private equity firm. However, it's important to note that the FDD explicitly states that none of these affiliated programs operate a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise, meaning there is no direct operational overlap or cross-ownership at the franchise level.
It is also important to note that GoTo Foods Inc. is the indirect parent company to seven franchisors, including Auntie Anne's Franchisor SPV LLC. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,182 franchised and 11 affiliate-owned Auntie Anne's shops in the United States and 815 franchised Auntie Anne's shops outside the United States. This gives the prospective franchisee an idea of the size and scope of one of Nothing Bundt Cakes' affiliated programs.