Buzz
Starting as an ambitious project to craft the ultimate cinnamon roll, Cinnabon now attracts thousands of daily customers who indulge in its offerings across more than 1300 outlets in the United States and internationally. Decades later, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls continues to captivate many.
1. The inaugural Cinnabon store was fittingly located in a shopping mall.
Inspired by the success of cinnamon roll carts in East Coast malls, founder Rich Komen aimed to replicate this success nationwide. He enlisted chef Jerilyn Brusseau, affectionately known as the 'CinnaMom', to develop the ideal cinnamon roll. After extensive experimentation with over 200 recipes, the first Cinnabon debuted at Sea-Tac Mall in Seattle in 1985.
2. Focus Brands, the parent company of Cinnabon, also manages several other popular food court chains.
Under its umbrella, Focus Brands oversees well-known names like Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Jamba, and Schlotzsky’s. Collectively, the company franchises and operates more than 6000 locations across over 50 countries.
3. The iconic Cinnabon cinnamon roll contains a whopping 816 calories.
Despite this, the company sells over 100 million rolls annually. Each batch begins with dough stretched into a rectangular shape, generously coated with margarine (preferred over butter for its baking performance), and topped with a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. A proprietary blend of cinnamon is exclusively used in all Cinnabon baked goods.
Crafting the perfect cinnamon roll requires attention to detail, and standard baking spices simply won’t suffice. Each Cinnabon roll is made with Makara, a proprietary blend of Korintje cinnamon. Sourced from West Sumatra, Indonesia, this cinnamon is richer and more aromatic than the typical variety.
5. Kat Cole was appointed president of Cinnabon at the age of 32.
Cole’s exceptional performance at her college job at Hooters led to her being sent worldwide to launch new franchises at just 19. She left college to join Hooters’ corporate team, becoming an executive vice president by 26. After earning an MBA from Georgia State University (without completing her undergraduate degree), she achieved remarkable success as Cinnabon’s president. Today, she is the president and COO of Athletic Greens, a nutritional supplement brand.
6. Cinnabon understands the irresistible allure of its aroma.
To maximize the impact of their signature scent, most Cinnabon outlets are strategically placed in malls or airports, where fragrances linger. Ovens are positioned near the front, ensuring the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon and sugar greets customers with every opening. Rolls are baked every 30 minutes, and employees can heat cinnamon and brown sugar to amplify the enticing smell if needed.
7. Cinnabon experiences such a significant sales surge during the holiday season that the company has dubbed this period 'Jollybon.'
Thanks to increased air travel, Cinnabon’s national sales can rise by 50 percent from Black Friday through January 2 compared to an average day. In 2014, the company anticipated selling nearly 1 million rolls during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, equating to about 8300 rolls per hour. Christmas Eve is the busiest day, with some locations receiving up to 500 preorders for Christmas morning treats.
8. One Cinnabon outlet employs a character with a rather dubious history.
The opening scene of the Breaking Bad prequel, Better Call Saul, shows the charmingly unscrupulous lawyer Saul Goodman managing a Cinnabon in Omaha, Nebraska. This aligns with his character’s prediction in Breaking Bad about his potential future. 'There was something so darkly delightful and so much fun about actually seeing his words realized,' Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould told USA Today, 'that we found it hard to resist.'
9. Cinnabon was just as shocked by the unexpected mention as everyone else.
As production for Better Call Saul began, Gould reached out to Cinnabon. The company, delighted by the earlier nod in Breaking Bad, allowed the filming of the new show’s opening scene at one of its Albuquerque stores. Actor Bob Odenkirk received intensive training in Cinnabon’s techniques and proudly claims he can still craft a cinnamon roll that meets the brand’s exact standards.
