Cinnabon franchise
Cinnabon sells fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, bites and drinks from bakeries that are usually in malls, airports and travel centers. Smaller Express units can share space with sister brands in the GoTo Foods group. At the end of 2025 there were 1,338 Cinnabon locations in the US, 1,310 franchised and 28 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $257K–$704K
- Franchise fee
- $35,500
- Royalty
- 6%
- Locations, 2025
- 1,338+381 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1990
- Franchisor based in
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Time to open
- 3 to 12 months after signing
- Agreement length
- 20 years
- Financing
- None offered
From Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Cinnabon franchise costs
Opening a full bakery in a traditional location costs an estimated $256,950 to $703,500. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
| Full bakery in another location | $196,250 to $715,100 |
|---|---|
| Express bakery | $70,850 to $191,950 |
Source: Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 46
Cinnabon franchise fee
The franchise fee is $35,500, for a full bakery ($8,000 for an Express bakery, $20,000 for qualifying veterans). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 29
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 6% of net sales, paid weekly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 5% of gross sales |
Source: Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 31
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Cinnabon publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports fiscal 2025 results for mall, convenience and co-branded franchised bakeries open all 52 weeks. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 100
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 952 (+23) | 22 | 30 |
| 2024 | 1,002 (+50) | 28 | 42 |
| 2025 | 1,310 (+308) | 28 | 40 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 103
How Cinnabon compares
Of the 8 bakery franchises on this site, Cinnabon is the cheapest to open and the 3rd largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Cinnabon | Typical bakery |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $257K | $496K |
| Royalty | 6% | 6% |
| Closed or left per year | 3.9% | 2.1% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +41% | +23.8% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 8 of 8 |
Typical is the median across the 8 brands in bakery franchises.
Other bakery franchises
Cinnabon franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Cinnabon?
3 to 12 months after signing, according to Cinnabon's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Cinnabon help with financing?
No. Cinnabon does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
How long is a Cinnabon franchise agreement?
The initial term is 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Cinnabon growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 492 franchised locations opened and 112 closed or left, a net change of +41%. About 3.9% of locations closed or left each year. That is above the 2.1% typical for bakery franchises.
How does Cinnabon compare with other bakery franchises?
Of the 8 bakery franchises here, Cinnabon is the cheapest to open (low end $257K against a $496K median) and the 3rd largest by number of locations. Its 6% royalty is in line with the 6% median.
Does Cinnabon say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports fiscal 2025 results for mall, convenience and co-branded franchised bakeries open all 52 weeks. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Cinnabon based?
Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC is based in Atlanta, Georgia and the brand has sold franchises since 1990.