This article is based on a video originally recorded on Vetted Biz Youtube Channel
Jack:— Okay. You have Jack Findaro here along with Marty Welch from Cinnaholic. Looking very much forward to learning all about the Cinnaholic franchise and the system and what it’s all about. So, Marty, thank you so much for joining us today.
Marty:— Yeah. Thanks so much, Jack. It’s a pleasure to be here.
J:— So, why don’t you kind of tell us the overview background kind of the most important characteristics about Cinnaholic for an individual that might be interested in becoming a franchisee. We’d love to learn all about it.
M:— Oh, absolutely. Again, Jack, thank you for this opportunity and your team has been awesome to work with over the years. So, appreciate you guys and thanks for all of you that are listening in right now.
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Cinnaholic’s Story
M:— Cinnaholic is very unique. We had a very humble start about 11 years ago 2010 in Berkeley, California. A young couple, Shannon and Florian Radke, a husband and wife team had a vision and a dream and they turned it into a reality. Shannon was a master baker and over the years she converted her recipes from dairy-based and egg-based to plant-based. And there was a lot of rave reviews from friends and family about her culinary skills and with a little bit of help from friends and family, they decided to open up a small bakery in Berkeley, California in 2010.
It was met with great reviews. One of the best of categories in the Bay Area of California.
Their Shark Tank participation
M:— By 2013 they had a brilliant idea of submitting an application to ABC’s “Shark Tank”. And they were very fortunate that they were accepted. And in May of 2014 season 5, episode 28, to be exact for those of you that want to look it up they were on air live, they got 10 minutes of fame and glory on the national spotlight and it was a fantastic experience for them. At the same time, they were very smart in that they investigated a few franchise-consulting companies, which I happen to be a part of here in Atlanta, Georgia.
They were very smart in that they investigated a few franchise-consulting companies
It is important to consult with specialists
M:— I am the CEO of Martin Franchise Consultants. And they reached out to a former colleague of mine who happened to be the founder of Moe’s Southwest Grill and they hit it off. And one thing led to another, and Mr. Dollinger is now our CEO and primary investment partner. We formed the franchise in 2015, started awarding franchises that year. And by 2016, we started opening them up all over the country from places as far as Florida, South Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, South Lake, Texas, across to Las Vegas, and of course, California. So, the brand had a humble beginning, but had a very interesting early years with the “Shark Tank” effect as we call it.
Cinnaholic knows their niche
M:— We had a lot of interest in the brand from being on the national stage, as well as being one of the only plant-based franchises and even until today. Back then, seven years ago, it was unique and it is still unique today. So, I think we fall into a certain niche category, but we also appeal to the masses in that our cinnamon rolls are what we state as the world’s greatest cinnamon roll experience.
When you come in, you get to customize your cinnamon roll with a variety of toppings and frostings. The frosting number is around 16 to 18 different flavors.
And then the toppings range from fruits to nuts, to our decadent chocolate chip cookie dough topping, which is one of our most popular of our products. So the brand has expanded now. So I’m heading to Scottsdale, Arizona to the sun and warmth in 2 days for our 60th opening.
Tremendous growth for the Cinnaholic Franchise
M:— We’re opening our 60th location and we counted the other day we have 76 in development all over the United States and Canada. I might add that we are an international company now. We entered Canada a few years ago and it’s been a big hit up there from Ontario all the way through British Columbia. So we are in 18 states and 4 provinces of Canada today. So that’s kind of a little bit of the history, Jack and the product. I want to emphasize that we are looking for candidates that have just a passion and desire for baked goods and/or retail or food service.
You don’t have to have a baking degree or a Culinary Institute degree to join us.
So just wanted to throw that out there.
J:— For sure. I really appreciate it. Congrats on the tremendous growth you’ve had over the past years.
M:— Thank you.
J:— I know it’s not easy, but yeah, kudos to you and the team there. In terms of I guess first question I have: if I was looking to become a franchisee, I would want to better understand…
…What does Cinnaholic look for in a franchisee and maybe in relation to that, what characteristics do the most successful franchisees have? What kind of backgrounds?
M:— Yeah, that’s a great question. And I talk to candidates every day. We have a lot of interest in the brand as we’re opening up locations. We’re starting to get some very passionate fans of the brand, they’re customers. They love the concept and they feel great about the food. They realize that it’s, in a great niche, there’s not much competition. So, the candidate really we’re looking for, aside from the obvious, which is the financial qualifications of $75,000 liquid and $300,000 net worth is the fact that they love working with people. They enjoy the public, they enjoy community, they get involved in the sales and marketing of the product. It really sells itself. I mean, if you bring cinnamon rolls to an office, or a building, or friends and family, you’re going to be welcomed with open arms. We know that but you have to get out there and do it.
Services that Cinnaholic provides
So we are looking for folks that have kind of that marketing personality, where they just enjoy working with folks from different walks of life. We work with churches, schools, the community, neighborhood, chambers of commerce, and just getting the brand out there. Obviously, we would love to assist them in any way possible. We offer a great program for training, but at the end of the day, you do need to become kind of the Cinnaholic mayor if you will, of your community within a three to five-mile radius or more. We offer delivery and takeout services so we do weddings, we do bar mitzvahs, we do catered events. So, if you enjoy those types of environment, and making people smile, and selling a fantastic product, then this is definitely the brand for you.
J:— Got it, got it. W what I heard people-oriented and the person does not necessarily a need a backround…
