Cinnabon vs Crumbl Cookies
Cinnabon vs Crumbl Cookies: Cinnabon costs $25K to $883K to open; Crumbl Cookies costs $816K to $1.4M. Cinnabon has 46 units, Crumbl Cookies has 253. SBA loan history: Cinnabon = 63 loans (3.2% default); Crumbl Cookies = 290 loans (0.0% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Cinnabon vs Crumbl Cookies: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Cinnabon requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($25K vs $816K for Crumbl Cookies), a 97% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Cinnabon versus $50K for Crumbl Cookies, Cinnabon has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Cinnabon and 8% for Crumbl Cookies, giving Cinnabon the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Crumbl Cookies operates 253 units to Cinnabon's 46, roughly 6× the system size. Cinnabon has been operating 41 years (founded 1985) versus 9 for Crumbl Cookies (founded 2017), a 32-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Crumbl Cookies has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 290 7(a) approvals compared with 63 for Cinnabon. Cinnabon's peak SBA year was 2015 (7 loans); Crumbl Cookies's peak was 2022 (81 loans). Crumbl Cookies's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in CA. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Cinnabon deals is $411K vs $576K for Crumbl Cookies, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.2% for Cinnabon and 0.0% for Crumbl Cookies, Crumbl Cookies has the cleaner SBA loss record by 3.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 66 (Strong) for Cinnabon and 72 (Strong) for Crumbl Cookies, giving Crumbl Cookies the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 66/100 | 72/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 63 | 290 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.2% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $25K to $883K | $816K to $1.4M |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 8% |
Ad Fund | 2.5% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 46 | 253 |
Franchised Units | 46 | 253 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1985 | 2017 |
Franchising Since | 2017 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 9 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | LOS ANGELES, CA | Lindon, UT |
Category | Baked Goods Stores | Baked Goods Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Cinnabon or Crumbl Cookies?
Lower upfront capital required
Cinnabon
Cinnabon: $25K starting · Crumbl Cookies: $816K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Crumbl Cookies
Cinnabon: 63 SBA loans · Crumbl Cookies: 290 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Crumbl Cookies
Cinnabon: 3.2% · Crumbl Cookies: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Crumbl Cookies
Cinnabon: 46 units · Crumbl Cookies: 253 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Cinnabon
Cinnabon: 6% · Crumbl Cookies: 8%
More lender financing options
Crumbl Cookies
Cinnabon: 36 unique lenders · Crumbl Cookies: 90 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
Need Funding for Cinnabon or Crumbl Cookies?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Cinnabon vs Crumbl Cookies: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Cinnabon and Crumbl Cookies is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $25K to $1.4M.
Cinnabon has 63 SBA loans on record and Crumbl Cookies has 290. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Cinnabon vs Crumbl Cookies, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Cinnabon or Crumbl Cookies?
How much does a Cinnabon franchise cost compared to Crumbl Cookies?
Can I finance Cinnabon or Crumbl Cookies with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Cinnabon or Crumbl Cookies?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman