T.J. Cinnamons
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast food |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Ted Rice, Joyce Rice |
| Headquarters | Atlanta , United States |
| Products | Cinnamon rolls |
| Parent | The Wendy's Company |
T.J. Cinnamons was a U.S.-based fast food franchise known for its specialty in cinnamon rolls.
History
The idea behind T.J. Cinnamons was conceived during a summer break by Ted Rice, a television news cameraman at KCTV, and his wife Joyce, who worked as a fifth-grade teacher. They explored various business opportunities before deciding to focus on creating a bakery that specialized in cinnamon rolls.
Joyce dedicated roughly eight months to refining the cinnamon roll recipe, enlisting taste testers including Ted’s coworkers. The end result was a distinctive nine-ounce cinnamon roll that became the hallmark product of the brand. Launching with $50,000 in initial capital supplemented by loans from friends and family, they debuted a custom-designed mobile bakery in 1984. This traveling unit sold cinnamon rolls priced at $1.25 at fairs and events throughout 21 Midwestern states, allowing them to gauge consumer interest and collect feedback. Ted contributed on weekends while continuing his full-time television role.
Bolstered by strong customer response, the couple opened their first fixed-location store in 1985 within the Ward Parkway Center mall in Kansas City. The store featured a glass ceiling enabling patrons to observe the baking process firsthand, with the enticing scent drawing shoppers inside. Success at this site generated franchise interest, including from Rich Komen, who aimed to establish a franchise at the SeaTac Mall in Federal Way, Washington. However, negotiations did not succeed, and Komen subsequently launched rival chain Cinnabon. In June 1985, the Rices teamed up with Kenneth Hill, a seasoned restaurant industry professional, to pursue national expansion. Ted Rice left his television career to serve as chairman; Joyce assumed the role of vice president, while Hill took on the presidency.
By 1989, T.J. Cinnamons had grown to operate more than 230 locations across both the United States and Canada.
In 1996, T.J. Cinnamons was purchased by Arby's, which was then part of Triarc Companies. When Triarc (later renamed The Wendy's Company) sold an 81.5% stake of Arby's to Roark Capital Group in 2011, T.J. Cinnamons remained under Wendy’s ownership. Despite Roark’s control of rival brand Cinnabon through its subsidiary Focus Brands, many Arby's outlets continue to offer T.J. Cinnamons products.