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Tag: cinnabon

  • Cinnabon to Exit Singapore as Final Ion Orchard Store Closes

    Cinnabon to Exit Singapore as Final Ion Orchard Store Closes

    Cinnabon will pull out of Singapore on September 22, shutting its final Ion Orchard outlet after a three-year comeback attempt failed to gain commercial traction. The closure leaves master franchisee Wabi-Sabi empty-handed against an initial target to build a network of 10 locations across the city-state within five years.

    The American cinnamon roll brand announced the wind-down on September 8, confirming that operations at its sole remaining store in Orchard Road will finish before the end of the month. Outlets at Raffles City Shopping Centre and Jewel Changi Airport have already ceased trading.

    High Rents and Footfall Realities

    Securing high-profile retail space in Singapore demands relentless sales volume to cover overheads. Single-category bakery concepts face a severe margin squeeze when novelty fades and everyday demand fails to match prime shopping mall rental rates. Ion Orchard, Raffles City and Jewel Changi offer heavy pedestrian traffic, but they rank among the most expensive commercial addresses in Southeast Asia.

    For food and beverage operators, relying on a narrow product catalogue creates immediate vulnerability when footfall shifts or local consumer spending tightens. While larger multi-brand operators can cross-subsidise prime leases, standalone single-concept franchisees bear direct exposure to rising mall rents and labour costs. Wabi-Sabi took on substantial lease commitments in premier corridors rather than testing lower-cost suburban clusters first.

    The Second Exit in Two Decades

    This shutdown marks the second time Cinnabon has abandoned the Singapore market. The chain previously operated in the city before closing its retail footprint in 2002. It returned in February 2023 with the Raffles City debut, aiming to build a broader local presence through standard units and smaller kiosk formats.

    Master franchisee Alvin Ng outlined plans at the launch to take the franchise into suburban residential hubs. Those outer-island locations never materialised, leaving the business dependent on tourist-heavy downtown malls where foot traffic fluctuates and local repeat purchases remain harder to lock down.

    Regional Footprint After Singapore

    The retreat from Singapore leaves Cinnabon adjusting its wider Southeast Asian strategy. The brand re-entered neighbouring Malaysia in mid-2024 with a different franchise partner, testing whether suburban mall clusters and lower operating costs in that market can sustain unit economics that proved unviable in Singapore.

    Final trading at the Ion Orchard store concludes on September 22, when Wabi-Sabi hands back the premises and Cinnabon officially vacates the Singapore market.

  • Golden Gaytime and Cinnabon Blend Nostalgia and Indulgence in New Frozen Treat for Australia

    Golden Gaytime and Cinnabon Blend Nostalgia and Indulgence in New Frozen Treat for Australia

    Golden Gaytime, a well-loved brand belonging to Streets Ice Cream, has teamed up with the renowned bakery chain, Cinnabon, to debut a co-branded frozen dessert in Australia. Named “Junior,” this innovative dessert fuses Cinnabon’s signature cinnamon and cream cheese flavors with Golden Gaytime’s chocolate coating and biscuit crumb outer layer.

    Meeting Consumer Demands with a Sweet Collaboration

    The launch of this novel frozen treat is in response to the increasing consumer preference for nostalgic food combinations and rich, indulgent products. The promotional campaign for the dessert humorously portrays a fictional romance between the two brands. This unique narrative is designed to not just attract but also engage consumers, sparking conversations and fueling a sense of camaraderie among fans.

    The single-serving of this dessert will be available at petrol stations and convenience stores across Australia. Furthermore, a four-pack variant of the treat is slated for release on August 24 in supermarkets throughout the country.

    Kalli Swaik, the Managing Director for Streets Ice Cream ANZ, said, “Golden Gaytime has always maintained a light-hearted brand image, so representing this collaboration as a love story seemed like the perfect way to generate buzz.”

    Cinnabon’s Growth Strategy

    For Cinnabon, which operates over 2,400 bakeries in 65 countries worldwide, this project aligns with its ongoing multi-channel licensing strategy. The bakery chain emphasizes on extending its growth beyond physical outlets by infiltrating commercial grocery channels.

    In a similar vein, Streets Ice Cream also previously partnered with home fragrance brand Dusk, broadening their product range to include home fragrances, bath, and personal care products.

    Questions & Answers

    What unique features does the new dessert from Golden Gaytime and Cinnabon offer?
    The dessert combines Cinnabon’s cinnamon and cream cheese flavors with Golden Gaytime’s chocolate coating and biscuit crumb outer layer.

    Where can consumers purchase this new frozen treat?
    The dessert can be purchased at petrol stations and convenience stores across Australia, and a four-pack variant will be available in supermarkets from August 24.

    What is Cinnabon’s approach towards growth?
    Cinnabon focuses on driving growth outside its physical storefronts by entering commercial grocery channels as a part of its multi-channel licensing strategy.

  • Cinnabon to launch into Sydney

    Cinnabon to launch into Sydney

    US cinnamon scroll chain, Cinnabon, is reportedly set to open its first store in Darling Square, later in the year.

    The Seattle-based bakery chain opened its first Australian outpost back in 2020, making its debut in Brisbane thanks to a licensing deal with Queensland import business Bansal Foods.

    Cinnabon is famed for its fresh cinnamon scrolls, which are cooked in-store every half-hour for customers. It is this reputation, combined with a lack of immediate competition in Australia, that attracted Bansal to the chain.

    “You have world-famous doughnuts, you have world-famous burgers but there’s no world-famous scroll brand in Australia,” Bansal Group co-owner Gaurav Bansal said. “Their frosting and cinnamon make them different from any other brand that people can’t imitate.”

    Cinnabon Australia has already built up a strong foundation, opening five locations across Queensland, and one in Victoria, within the last two years.

    While the upcoming Darling Square location may be the first Sydney store on the cards, it certainly won’t be the last. Further expansion across NSW has been promised, with a plan to roll out 15 stores over the next five years.

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  • Cinnabon Hong Kong opens first outlet in Hong Kong

    Cinnabon Hong Kong opens first outlet in Hong Kong

    Cinnabon Hong Kong opened its first outlet last week, brought to the territory by franchisee Reach Out Philosophy Limited.

    Famous for its Classic Rolls and Bon Bites, the first Cinnabon Hong Kong store is located in Olympian City mall at Tai Kok Tsui. It joins more than 1200 franchise locations in the world.

    “We see a wonderful opportunity for Cinnabon in this city,” said Steven Yang, director of Reach Out Philosophy.

    “Local foodies crave high-quality, fresh cinnamon products and we have the perfect answer for them. We are looking forward to bringing the sweet pleasure of our products to Hong Kong and creating many joyful moments of Cinnabon contentment.”

    The bakery has been operating in other Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.

    Its franchises in China, along with those of sister chain Auntie Anne’s, are owned by Focus Brands.

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  • Jamba Juice tempted to expand after good sales

    Jamba Juice tempted to expand after good sales

    US chain Jamba Juice has been bought for US$200 million by Focus Brands.

    Already, there is speculation that the Jamba Juice sale may lead to the brand being expanded overseas. The reason: Focus is owned by private equity firm Roark Capital and the parent of some high-profile food retail concepts.

    Focus already operates more than 5000 eateries in the US, Puerto Rico and 50 other countries under brands including Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s, McAlister’s Deli and Seattle’s Best Coffee. So it has established partnerships in many international markets, including in Asia.

    “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Focus Brands and are confident that it will result in a positive outcome for our guests, our franchisees and our employees,” Jamba Juice CEO Dave Pace said in a statement. “Over the last few years, we have worked hard to strengthen our foundation and reposition this iconic brand for the future. Partnering with Focus Brands will allow us to build on this work and further accelerate the company’s growth.”

    The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018.

    Once Jamba Juice is acquired, it will operate as a privately held subsidiary of Focus and an independent brand.

    Jamba Juice was founded in California in 1990 and has expanded to more than 800 retail stores but only a small number outside the US.

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  • Cinnabon is back to Korea

    Cinnabon is back to Korea

    US-based bakery chain Cinnabon has returned to Korea with an outlet at Hyundai Department Store in Seoul.

    The menu includes Cinnabon Classic Rolls, Cinnabon Caramel Pecan, Minibon, and drinks such as Single Origin Coffee, three Coldbrew Ice Coffees, four Espresso Coffee drinks, Chillattas, Hot/Ice Chocolate and Fizzies.

    Cinnabon first came to Korea in 2001 with plans to open 50 outlets within six years, but failed to gain traction at the time.

    Owned by Focus Brands, Cinnabon now operates in 53 countries worldwide.

    Last year, the chain looked for its franchisees to expand to China.

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  • Quest for franchisee for Focus Brands

    Quest for franchisee for Focus Brands

    Focus Brands is seeking franchisees to develop its Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s brands in China as part of its international growth strategy.

    Founded in 1985, Cinnabon is a cinnamon roll bakery with 580 outlets in 52 countries. Auntie Anne’s, founded in 1988, is a soft-pretzel chain with more than 530 locations in 29 countries.“China is a priority market for us based on consumer insight research that shows our freshly baked products have a broad appeal,” says Focus Brands International president Nicolas Boudet.

    “Both brands have received numerous industry accolades, with Cinnabon being named a top-five quick-service brand in Technomic’s Millennials’ Favorite Chains report. Auntie Anne’s was recognised as a Top 50 limited-service restaurant brand by QSR Magazine.

    This year Cinnabon has opened 64 international locations with plans to add more than 70 next year. Auntie Anne’s has opened 89 international outlets this year and aims for 100 more next year.

    Other Focus Brands franchises include Carvel, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s.

    Based in Atlanta, Focus Brands runs more than 1300 franchised ice-cream shops, bakeries, restaurants, and cafes outside the US. It grew its total international system-wide sales by 10.5 per cent last year.

    Founded in Seattle, Cinnabon has more than 1200 franchised locations worldwide, primarily in high-traffic venues such as shopping malls, airports, train stations, travel plazas, entertainment centres and military establishments.

    At its more than 1600 locations internationally, Auntie Anne’s mixes, twists and bakes pretzels all day long in full view of guests.