Is Auntie Anne's right for you?
Established Scale
1,236 franchised U.S. locations and 887 international as of year-end 2025, supported by a parent with multi-brand infrastructure.
the financial-performance disclosure Disclosure
Financial performance representations provided for 683 eligible shops across four venue types based on full-year 2025 reported net sales.
Portfolio Synergies
Co-branding opportunities with Cinnabon and access to GoTo Foods supply chain, marketing, and operational resources.
About Auntie Anne's
Auntie Anne's is a global pretzel franchise founded in 1988 and acquired by GoTo Foods LLC (formerly Focus Brands) in 2010. The brand operates 1,236 franchised shops in the United States and 887 outside the United States as of December 31, 2025. GoTo Foods serves as the indirect parent for a portfolio that also includes Cinnabon, Carvel, Schlotzsky's, Moe's, Jamba, and McAlister's.
Auntie Anne's franchises sell hand-rolled soft pretzels, dips, beverages, and related snack products, primarily in high-traffic non-traditional venues such as malls, outlet centers, airports, and co-branded locations. Franchisees prepare and serve proprietary pretzel recipes on-site using approved ingredients and equipment sourced largely through the franchisor or its designated suppliers. The model emphasizes fresh, on-demand production in compact footprints suited to enclosed malls, transportation hubs, and mixed-use retail environments.
GoTo Foods LLC (formerly Focus Brands LLC) is a Delaware limited liability company and the indirect parent company of seven franchise systems in the GoTo Foods Portfolio, including Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s, Jamba, and McAlister’s.
The business model
How a Auntie Anne's territory actually makes money at the unit level.
Revenue Structure
Franchisees pay a 7% royalty on net sales (may increase to 8%) and a 2% advertising contribution. Required purchases from approved suppliers represent approximately 90% of establishment costs and 95% of ongoing operational purchases.
Initial Investment Range
Total investment for a full shop is estimated between $157,795 and $835,500. This includes a $35,500 initial franchise fee, construction and build-out, equipment, signage, inventory, training, and three months of working capital.
Venue-Driven Performance
the financial-performance disclosure reports average and median net sales by quartiles for enclosed mall, outlet center, airport, and Cinnabon co-branded shops that operated all 52 weeks of fiscal 2025.
Supply Chain Economics
Franchisor and affiliates earn revenue from suppliers through rebates, volume discounts, and distribution fees. Franchisees must purchase proprietary ingredients, packaging, and most equipment from approved sources.
Territory and Rights
No exclusive territory is granted. Limited area of protection is available only for certain co-branded streetside locations. Franchisor retains broad rights to all alternative channels including e-commerce, supermarkets, ghost kitchens, and non-traditional venues.
Unit Growth
Franchised outlets grew by net 21 in 2023, 26 in 2024, and 54 in 2025. The company projects approximately 100 new outlets in the next year.
Quick facts
Initial franchise fee
n/a
Total investment range
$157,795 to $835,500
Royalty
7.00% of gross revenue
Marketing fund
2.00% of gross revenue
Founded
2017
Headquarters
Atlanta, GA
Active US franchisees
n/a
Total US units
n/a
Training & support
What the franchisor + parent platform provide. And what they don't.
What's provided
- +Initial training for franchisee trainees in system policies, procedures, and operations prior to shop opening.
- +Access to learning management system for required training modules and operations manuals (annual license fee applies).
- +On-site training and assistance available at $500 per trainer per day plus travel and living expenses.
- +Management training for subsequent managers and primary contacts at $250 per trainee per day.
- +Conference and program attendance with fees ranging from $0 to $2,500 per attendee.
- +Ongoing operational support, advertising review, and ad fund management as deemed advisable by the franchisor.
Honest disclosure: what's NOT provided
Item 11 does not disclose specific training hours, number of trainees, instructors, location of training, or detailed curriculum modules.
Multi-unit growth path
Multi-unit ownership is common among experienced operators in the GoTo Foods portfolio. Development of additional units typically follows successful operation of an initial shop and requires separate franchise agreements and fees. No specific multi-unit development schedules or incentives are disclosed in the provided data. Prospective multi-unit operators should evaluate venue availability and capital requirements for simultaneous or sequential openings.
Capital + financing paths
Most operators use one of these four paths to fund the initial investment.
Third-Party Lenders
Many franchisees utilize SBA 7(a) or conventional bank financing. Lenders often require review of the the filed disclosures, the financial-performance disclosure data, and personal financial statements.
GoTo Foods Funding LLC
Affiliate entity within the GoTo Foods structure may offer financing options for qualified franchisees. Terms are not detailed in the the filed disclosures excerpts provided.
Equipment & Lease Financing
Separate financing is commonly secured for equipment packages, build-out costs, and landlord improvements through vendor or specialty lenders.
Personal Capital & Partnerships
Investors frequently combine personal equity, retirement plan rollovers via ROBS, or private investment partners to meet the $157,795 to $835,500 total investment range.
Process timeline: inquiry → grand opening
Typical 12-16 week path from first call to launching your first customer route.
Discovery & Validation
Review the filed disclosures, speak with existing franchisees, and analyze the financial-performance disclosure data for target venue types.
Application & Approval
Submit franchise application and financial qualifications for franchisor review.
Franchise Agreement Execution
Sign franchise agreement and pay the $35,500 initial franchise fee.
Site Selection & Design
Identify and secure location in approved venue type; complete site survey, design, and permitting.
Build-Out & Vendor Coordination
Manage construction, equipment procurement, and millwork through approved suppliers and contractors.
Training & Pre-Opening
Complete required training, install systems, stock inventory, and prepare for grand opening marketing.
Opening & Launch
Open the shop and begin operations with ongoing support from the franchisor and ad fund programs.
Match assessment
Are you a Auntie Anne's match?
12 questions. Math-first. No high-pressure sales call afterwards. Just your match assessment and the reasoning behind it.
Start nowCommon questions
How much does an Auntie Anne's franchise cost?
Total initial investment for a full shop ranges from $157,795 to $835,500 according to the investment disclosure of the 2025 the filed disclosures. This includes a $35,500 franchise fee, construction, equipment, and working capital. Actual costs vary significantly by location, format, and landlord contributions.
What is the royalty fee for Auntie Anne's?
The royalty is currently 7% of net sales and may be increased to 8% at the franchisor's discretion. An additional 2% of net sales is required for advertising.
Does Auntie Anne's provide financial performance representations?
Yes. the financial-performance disclosure discloses average and median net sales by quartiles for 683 eligible shops across enclosed mall, outlet center, airport, and Cinnabon co-branded formats that reported all 52 weeks of fiscal 2025. Written substantiation is available upon request.
How many Auntie Anne's locations are there in the US?
There were 1,236 franchised shops in the United States and 887 outside the United States as of December 31, 2025. The brand is supported by 11 affiliate-owned shops.
Does Auntie Anne's offer exclusive territories?
No exclusive territory is granted. A limited area of protection is available only for qualifying co-branded streetside locations on a negotiated basis. The franchisor reserves rights to all other channels and formats.
What is the difference between Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon co-branding?
Co-branded locations combine both brands in a single footprint and have a dedicated the financial-performance disclosure table. They may receive a limited area of protection not available to single-brand shops. Investment and sales performance differ by format.
How long does it take to open an Auntie Anne's franchise?
The timeline from franchise agreement to opening typically spans 4 to 9 months depending on site acquisition, permitting, construction, and training. Non-traditional venues can accelerate or extend this schedule.
What training and support does Auntie Anne's provide?
Initial training on system operations is provided prior to opening. Ongoing support includes operations guidance, advertising fund management, and optional additional on-site assistance at prevailing per-diem rates. Specific training hours and curriculum details are not disclosed in Item 11.
Can I own multiple Auntie Anne's locations?
Yes. Multi-unit ownership is practiced by many operators within the GoTo Foods portfolio. Each additional unit requires a separate franchise agreement, fee, and site approval.
Who owns Auntie Anne's?
Auntie Anne's Franchisor SPV LLC is the franchisor. It is an indirect subsidiary of GoTo Foods LLC, which also owns the Cinnabon, Carvel, Schlotzsky's, Moe's, Jamba, and McAlister's franchise systems.
Are franchisees required to buy supplies from the franchisor?
Yes. Approximately 90% of initial establishment purchases and 95% of ongoing operational purchases must come from approved suppliers or GoTo Supply. Proprietary ingredients and packaging are mandatory.
How has Auntie Anne's unit count changed recently?
Franchised outlets increased by a net 21 locations in 2023, 26 in 2024, and 54 in 2025, ending the period with 1,236 U.S. franchised shops. The company projects approximately 100 new outlets in the following year.
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