Cinnabon is the franchising genius of AFC Enterprises, one of the world's largest franchising restaurant, beverage and coffee roasting companies. AFC has also brought consumers Seattle’s Coffee Company and Torrefazione Italia; as well as a couple of poultry chain restaurants such as Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits and Church’s Chicken.

And although you will find Seattle’s Best Coffee for sale at Cinnabon, one will not find chicken of any sort on the menu. Cinnabon sells cinnamon rolls, be they of the large or miniature variety… ooey-gooey… calorie laden fresh baked pastries.

Basically a chain bakery specializing in rolls and a few select beverages, Cinnabon locations can generally be found at larger shopping malls, airports and supermarkets throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. For locations near you, http://www.cinnabon.com/locator/index.html. Cinnabon continues to expand internationally, with more recent openings in England, Thailand, Venezuela, Thailand, Japan, the Philippines and even Scotland.

Basic Menu Selections

Whether you prefer the extremely large and popular eight-ounce Cinnabon or the more petite four-ounce version called the Minibon, these treats come in a variety of flavor choices to choose from; the most common being Cinnamon, Apple, or Caramel Pecan. Otherwise known as the Cinnabon, Applebon, and the Pecanbon.

The regular version of these rolls comes topped with cream cheese frosting, while the Pecanbon comes smothered in caramel icing and pecans. The latter addition to the Cinnabon menu is the Applebon, baked with Washington State apples. Made fresh everyday with a light dough and other quality ingredients, including the luscious Indonesian makara cinnamon; and to a vegetarian’s delight, pure vegetable margarine… Vegans, beware, these delightful pastries contain eggs.

But wait! On June 18 of 2001 – Cinnabon releases another new menu addition, the Chocolatebon. Ooh la la.

Another featured item on the menu, CinnabonStix. These are the first, widely marketed hand-held pastry items from Cinnabon for those desiring something they can devour on the run. CinnabonStix are hand-made pastries which have a Danish-dough base made with the company's proprietary makara cinnamon. CinnabonStix can be purchased at many locations in quantities of five and ten pieces per order.

* And although I have not seen either of these two items at nearby locales, Berrybons are topped with a blend of fresh strawberries, cranberries, blueberries and marionberries and another hand-held ‘on the go’ item called the Makara Twist, which is prepared with a touch of orange in the mix.

Get Them To Go

Don’t have time to sit and enjoy your Cinnabon of choice or having company over for a morning chat over coffee? Get these bonny treats packaged to go. Cinnabons and Minibons are available in quantities of 4, 6, 9, and 12; depending on location and choice between the two variations. And, as some locations vary in their offerings overall, quantities available for bulk sales may also vary in your particular area.

Cinnabons are quite passable when reheated in the microwave (softer) or oven (firmer); however, like most pastry items, they’re truly never as good as the initial ‘fresh baked, out of the oven’ aroma, goodness and sticky warmth. For hubby and the little ones, however, they really could care less how they get their Cinnabon fix. While for me, this is a treat I occasionally enjoy right along with them, albeit in smaller quantities. Split a roll with me, I’m game, but I have yet to single-handedly finish a regular sized Cinnabon in one sitting.

The enormous size and incredible sweetness of these rolls goes a long way. Got to have ultra-sweet? Purchase additional frosting for a mere .30 cents.

What’s brewing? Seattle’s Best Coffee, of course, freshly ground and piping hot; while their Mochalatta Chill is an iced chocolate mocha, made with the addition of Ghirardelli chocolate and served with a dollop of whipped cream. At a few locations, I have also seen this same or similar drink advertised as a Icescape.

Vareva Juice is Cinnabon’s version of freshly squeezed, natural orange and lemon juices. Made with filtered water, and touted to be flash-frozen to ensure freshness, this beverage is definitely a tasty and refreshing treat on a warm day.

Personally, I find the tartness of citrus juice and the utter sweetness of the various rolls’ toppings far less preferable to that of a cup of coffee. Yet, to be fair, I am a coffee lover at heart and will, more often than not, simply purchase thier lemonade in passing; to drink on the go while out shopping with my girls. Other drinks available are milk, bottled water, and a multitude of sodas.

Seating and Ambiance

At each Cinnabon location my family and I have been too, seating has always been at a minimum and has consisted of your basic, bare bones table and chairs. No frills, and generally, no walled enclosures. Mall locations tend to have general seating, as with most food vendors within most Food Court establishments. And at airports, we have encountered basically the same setup, regardless the city of layover. Clean work surfaces and friendly staff behind the counter, for the most part, has been the normal atmostphere to date.

During a rather busy time at a recent airport interval, I did have to wait for my two-Cinnabon order for hubby and my eldest. However, to the staff’s credit – I received a prompt smile and a ‘be with you in a moment’ greeting. Followed by my order being taken, but not prior to first acknowledging that my wait for fresh rolls may take another 5 – 10 minutes.

For me, common courtesy and an honest disclosure of known, lengthy wait times (prior to taking your cash) is always a plus in my book. I opted to stay, as our flight was not to depart for another twenty minutes. True to their word, I received my order in about ten minutes, and headed back to my family with warm rolls, forks and napkins in a carry-on box for the trip ahead.

Calorie Counting?

You won’t find this establishment touted in any Weight Watcher’s program brochure. Pass Cinnabon by! Don’t walk, but run, before the scent of these delicious fresh baked pastries fill your nostrils and overloads your senses with their tantalizing aroma. Cinnabons are high in calories and fat, any which way you slice them. For someone on a diet, it can be quite inconceivable to splurge on this scrumptious treat, regardless of the available ‘mini’ version.

At over 400 calories for the smaller Minibon, and another 600 plus for the Cinnabon – this is not a dieter’s paradise. And my personal favorite, the Pecanbon… ouch! An astounding, whopping 800 plus calories. No matter the walking from one mall retailer to another, or wild sprint to catch a connecting flight at far between airport gates, will burn those off in a matter of minutes. Sigh.

Pricing

Depending on location, this too may vary. But as I have experienced in the various locales we have purchased items from, the average, single pastry purchase will set you back about three dollars. Unless you are are a group of four or more, a regular Cinnabon, Minibon or small order of CinnabonStix tends to be the least costly of them all, in my experience.

When you venture onto their Pecan, Apple and Berry-bons, the price does tend to rise a bit. For a single (regular) Cinnabon purchase and refreshment, expect to pay upwards of five dollars. Least expensive also are regular drink orders, in respect to the ‘specialty’ drinks available, such as the Mochalatta Chill.

Recommendation

To date, the customer service family members and myself have received has been timely and courteous, regardless of locale. And although a tad pricey for a mere pastry; Cinnabon offers exceptionally scrumptious items with the additional bonus of convenience, general cleanliness and a friendly staff. As an occasional indulgence, while shopping the mall or skirting airport gates, this company is one we have a hard time passing up at any cost.


Recommended: Yes