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Cinnabon(R) and Auntie Anne's(R) Target China for International Expansion

FOCUS Brands
2016-12-14 09:00 5837

ATLANTA, Dec. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FOCUS Brands Inc. (www.focusbrands.com) announced plans to grow the presence of its Cinnabon® and Auntie Anne's® brands as part of an aggressive international growth strategy and is seeking qualified franchisees to develop these iconic global brands in China.

Founded in 1985, Cinnabon® is the market leader among cinnamon roll bakeries, currently operating 580 international locations in 52 countries. Auntie Anne's®, founded in 1988, is the world's largest soft pretzel chain with over 530 locations in 29 countries. FOCUS Brands, which operates over 1,300 franchised ice cream shops, bakeries, restaurants, and cafés outside of the U.S., grew its total international system wide sales by 10.5 percent in 2015.

"Cinnabon® and Auntie Anne's® are well-known American brands that enjoy a passionate consumer following wherever they operate," said Nicolas Boudet, President of FOCUS Brands International. "We are excited to continue the global growth of these brands and China is a priority market for us based on consumer insight research that shows broad appeal of our freshly baked products."

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

By the end of 2016, Cinnabon® will open 64 new international locations with plans to open over 70 new locations in 2017. Auntie Anne's® will open 89 new international locations by the end of 2016 with plans to open an additional 100 new locations in 2017.

"Prospective international franchisees can benefit from the built-in recognition that these brands enjoy and the world-class support system that FOCUS Brands offers, while at the same time owning and operating a business in their own country," said Boudet.

Prospective franchisees who would like to learn more about this exciting opportunity can visit www.cinnabonfranchising.com or www.auntieannesfranchising.com

About FOCUS Brands
Atlanta-based FOCUS Brands Inc. is the indirect parent company to six (6) franchisors and operator of over 4,500 bakeries, restaurants, cafés and ice cream shops in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 60 foreign countries under the brand names Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Schlotzsky's®, Moe's Southwest Grill®, Auntie Anne's®, McAlister's Deli®, and Seattle's Best Coffee® on U.S. military bases and in certain international markets.

About Cinnabon®
Founded in Seattle in 1985 and now based in Atlanta, Cinnabon LLC, is the market leader among cinnamon roll bakeries. The company serves fresh, aromatic, oven-hot cinnamon rolls, as well as a variety of other baked goods and specialty beverages. Cinnabon® currently operates over 1,200 franchised locations worldwide, primarily in high traffic venues such as shopping malls, airports, train stations, travel plazas, entertainment centers and military establishments. Cinnabon® is also a multi-channel licensor, partnering with other companies to provide over 70 brand licensed products at foodservice and retail venues. Visit www.Cinnabon.com for more information, follow on Twitter @Cinnabon or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/Cinnabon.

About Auntie Anne's®
At its more than 1,600 locations around the world, Auntie Anne's mixes, twists and bakes pretzels from scratch all day long in full view of guests. Auntie Anne's can be found in malls, outlet centers, and Walmarts, as well as in non-traditional spaces including universities, airports, travel plazas, amusement parks, and military bases. In addition, it has extended the brand onto retailers' shelves and also serves as a distributor for fundraising products. Available at select retailers nationwide, pretzel fans can enjoy Auntie Anne's prepare-at-home products, from frozen Classic and Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels and Pretzel Nuggets, to frozen Pretzel Dogs and Pretzel Pocket Sandwiches, to a versatile Pretzel Baking Kit. For more information, visit www.auntieannes.com, or follow on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

CONTACT: Ashley Aberbach, 212-715-1254, ashley.aberbach@finnpartners.com

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Source: FOCUS Brands
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