What is the significance of the affiliation between Nothing Bundt Cakes and Auntie Anne's?
Nothing_Bundt_Cakes Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ated Franchise Programs
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.
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.
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 FDD, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Auntie Anne's are affiliated through their shared connection to private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC. Specifically, both franchise systems fall under the umbrella of GoTo Foods Inc., which is the indirect parent company to several franchisors, including Auntie Anne's. This means that while Nothing Bundt Cakes and Auntie Anne's are separate franchise systems, they have common ownership at the private equity level.
This affiliation could provide Nothing Bundt Cakes with access to resources, best practices, and expertise from other established franchise systems within the Roark Capital Management portfolio. For example, Auntie Anne's has been franchising since 1991 and, as of December 31, 2024, had 1,182 franchised and 11 affiliate-owned shops in the United States and 815 franchised shops outside the United States. This extensive experience in franchising could be beneficial to Nothing Bundt Cakes as it continues to grow its franchise system.
However, the FDD explicitly states that none of the affiliated franchisors are obligated to provide products or services to Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisees. Therefore, while there may be potential benefits from the affiliation, franchisees should not expect direct operational support or preferential treatment from Auntie Anne's or other affiliated franchise systems. The franchisee may purchase products or services from these franchisors if they choose to do so. It's important for prospective franchisees to understand that the affiliation is primarily at the ownership level and does not guarantee any specific advantages in terms of day-to-day operations.