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Cinnabon

From Alfawiki
Cinnabon, Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRestaurants Franchising
Founded1985; 41 years ago (1985) in Federal Way, Washington
Headquarters
Sandy Springs, Georgia
,
United States
Area served
Global
Key people
Tracey Young (Chief Brand Officer)
ProductsCinnamon rolls
Coffee
Churros
Milkshakes
ParentAFC Enterprises (1998–2004)
GoTo Foods (2004–present)
Websitewww.cinnabon.com

Cinnabon, Inc. is a U.S.-based bakery chain renowned for its signature cinnamon roll. As of 2017, it operates more than 1,200 outlets spanning 48 countries. The company’s headquarters are situated in Sandy Springs, Georgia, focusing its presence primarily within high-traffic environments such as shopping centers, airports, and highway rest areas.

Owned by GoTo Foods (previously known as Focus Brands), which is affiliated with the private equity firm Roark Capital Group, Cinnabon shares its corporate family with brands including Schlotzsky's, Carvel, and Jamba Juice. Collectively, GoTo Foods oversees over 5,000 locations worldwide.

History

Cinnabon was established in 1985 by Rich Komen and CEO Ray Lindstrom after their unsuccessful efforts to franchise existing cinnamon roll companies. Collaborating with baker Jerilyn Brusseau, they created their own proprietary recipe. The inaugural store launched at SeaTac Mall in Washington state, promoting its "World Famous Cinnamon Rolls" as a defining product and brand hallmark.

The brand’s first franchised outlet opened in 1986 near King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia. Since then, Cinnabon has broadened its footprint into diverse settings such as gas stations, universities, transit centers, casinos, and amusement parks.

In 1998, AFC Enterprises purchased Cinnabon for $65 million. Six years later, AFC divested the chain to Focus Brands for $30.3 million; Focus Brands is owned by Roark Capital Group based in Atlanta. The company relocated its headquarters to the Greater Atlanta area in 1999.

In November 2020, British retail company EG Group signed a master licensing agreement to establish 150 Cinnabon locations across the United Kingdom over five years. This agreement was transferred to EG On the Move in May 2024.

Among strategic alliances, a notable collaboration occurred in 2018 with Pizza Hut to introduce "Cinnabon Mini Rolls" nationwide. This partnership enhanced brand exposure through cross-promotional efforts, with these items continuing to be featured on Pizza Hut’s menu.

Current locations

Cinnabon franchises are present in 50 countries globally, including but not limited to:

Former locations

In popular culture

  • Cinnabon makes a brief appearance in the 2007 animated movie Bee Movie.
  • It is a recurring element within the Animorphs book series.
  • The character Saul Goodman is depicted working at a Cinnabon under an alias in Better Call Saul.[1]
  • Cinnabon and its CEO, Kat Cole, were showcased on a 2012 episode of Undercover Boss.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
  • In the Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode titled Halloween IV, Captain Raymond Holt humorously mispronounces the name as “See-nay-bone”.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named better-call-saul
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