Cinnaholic Keeps it Rolling Amid Pandemic

ATLANTA – There’s no slowing down the sweet roll of Cinnaholic.

Not even the pandemic can sour this decadent craze. The brand has sparked a nationwide love affair with gourmet cinnamon rolls as only Cinnaholic can. In the last three months, the bakery, acclaimed for serving innovative plant-based cinnamon roll creations, set single day sales records across its franchise system, introduced a series of new technology-based innovations, and inked deals to add more than a handful of new locations in key U.S. markets.

“When the pandemic hit we battened down the hatches and focused on two big priorities – making it as easy as possible for our new and longtime fans to enjoy Cinnaholic and supporting our franchisees with even more revenue-driving opportunities than they’ve had in the past,” said Spencer Reid, president of Cinnaholic. “As a result, many of our franchisees have thrived during this unprecedented time. Plus, it just goes to show that our products truly resonate with customers and brand is here to stay.”

The brand has opened six franchise locations since January in new markets including Charlotte, San Antonio, Raleigh, NC; Gaithersburg, Maryland and two in the Chicago area, bringing its total location count to 40 units.

Plus, Cinnaholic projects a strong growth trajectory with newly signed agreements in Atlanta, Tampa, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Coral Springs, FL. With 20 locations under construction and nine others anticipated to start buildouts this year, Cinnaholic is on track to reach 60 locations by the end of 2020.

The economic slowdown did not deter Cinnaholic franchisees from building new locations. Not one of the stores already in construction phases have halted plans, and all others set to start construction in 2020 are moving forward.

“While many business owners have had to put their dreams on hold, we are refusing to do so,” said Alex Loper, owner of the Cinnaholic location soon to open in McKinney, Texas. “The persistent communication and support from our corporate team has kept us on schedule. And, when we look at the proven success that other locations have shown, there is no doubt that continuing to move ahead is the right thing to do.”

To preserve sales nationwide, Cinnaholic phased in a new, technology-advanced online pick-up and third-party delivery ordering platform. The impact of the refreshed online ordering system was felt immediately with average ticket sales increasing by 30 percent for pick-ups and 40 percent for delivery.

“When we were ordered to close, I was worried that my sales would drastically decrease. But, with the new online ordering system and third-party delivery relationships, our orders have not stopped,” said Shanntel Hobbensiefken, owner of Cinnaholic in Gilbert, Arizona. “With our easy, no-contact curbside pick-up, serving customers has been seamless.”

Cinnaholic has set itself apart as a “better-for-you” option exclusively using plant-based ingredients without sacrificing taste. Its variety of frosting and topping options make each customer experience truly unique, appealing to sweet-toothed dessert lovers across North America. The brand also provides catering services, serving sweet treats for events large and small from birthday or office parties to baby showers and weddings. Customers can expect nothing less than the highest quality ingredients, as the plant-based bakery franchise was founded upon a commitment that all ingredients must be animal-free and free of dairy, lactose, eggs and cholesterol.

In addition to low startup costs and manageable operations, franchise owners are provided extensive corporate training as well as real estate, construction, operations, marketing and grand opening support, making for a truly sweet franchise opportunity. This high performing business model has made Cinnaholic a highly sought-after franchise brand.

As Cinnaholic sets its sights on continued growth, it seeks out qualified single-unit and multi-unit investors in a range of market sizes throughout the United States and Canada, including New Jersey, New York, Houston, Miami and Washington D.C., to expand the brand. The flexible business model works well in upscale lifestyle centers, major city centers and near college campuses. A notable contributor to franchisees’ success is the relatively low cost of owning and operating a Cinnaholic location, specifically the small footprint (around 1,000 square feet) and low food and labor costs.

About Cinnaholic

Founded in 2009 in Berkeley, California, Cinnaholic is the only gourmet bakery that allows customers to completely customize cinnamon rolls with more than 20 frosting flavors and over 20 topping choices. Each Cinnaholic cinnamon roll is 100% vegan and free of dairy, lactose, eggs or cholesterol, allowing guests to enjoy their mouthwatering creations without worrying about certain dietary or allergy restrictions.

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