Established
1997
Franchise Units
600
Minimum Investment
$430,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$620,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise represents one of the most recognizable and emotionally resonant brands in the U.S. bakery and dessert segment. Built around a simple yet powerful concept—handcrafted bundt cakes made from high-quality ingredients—Nothing Bundt Cakes has transformed a classic dessert into a premium, celebration-driven product that appeals to a wide demographic.
The brand’s success lies in its ability to combine indulgence, consistency, and gifting appeal. From birthdays and weddings to corporate events and everyday treats, Nothing Bundt Cakes has positioned itself as a go-to destination for meaningful moments. Its bakeries deliver a boutique feel while operating with a streamlined, proven business model that supports scalability and operational efficiency.
Visually distinctive bundt cakes, signature cream cheese frosting, and a rotating lineup of flavors give the brand strong shelf appeal and repeat customer traction. Combined with a loyal fan base, strong word-of-mouth marketing, and national brand recognition, Nothing Bundt Cakes continues to outperform many traditional dessert concepts in a competitive foodservice landscape.
Why Invest in the Nothing Bundt Cakes Franchise?
Investing in Nothing Bundt Cakes offers franchisees access to a refined bakery concept with mass-market appeal and premium positioning. Unlike trend-driven dessert concepts, bundt cakes are timeless, celebratory, and culturally versatile, making the brand resilient across economic cycles.
The franchise benefits from high brand awareness across the U.S., supported by national marketing campaigns and consistent customer experiences. Its product line allows for strong average ticket sizes through bundled purchases, add-ons, and special-occasion orders. Many locations generate reliable revenue from repeat customers, corporate gifting, and community events.
Operationally, the concept is designed for simplicity relative to full-service restaurants. There is no dine-in dependency, limited menu complexity, and predictable production workflows. This makes it attractive to both first-time franchise owners and multi-unit operators seeking a scalable bakery model with strong unit economics.
Background
Established Year: 1997
Founders: Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz
Nothing Bundt Cakes was founded in Las Vegas, Nevada, when its two founders began baking bundt cakes for friends and family. What started as a passion project quickly gained traction due to the cakes’ rich flavor, consistency, and emotional appeal. Demand grew organically, leading to the opening of the first bakery location.
Recognizing the brand’s scalability, the company began franchising in the mid-2000s. Since then, Nothing Bundt Cakes has expanded aggressively across the United States, becoming one of the largest specialty bakery franchises in the country. The brand operates hundreds of locations nationwide, with a strong presence in suburban and urban markets alike.
The company is now backed by experienced leadership and private equity support, enabling continued investment in systems, supply chain optimization, marketing, and franchisee support. The brand falls under the specialty bakery and dessert franchise category and continues to demonstrate strong unit-level performance and steady national growth.
Franchise Active Units: 600+ locations across the United States (approximate, continually expanding)
Support Training
Nothing Bundt Cakes offers a comprehensive support ecosystem designed to guide franchisees from initial onboarding through long-term operations.
Pre-Launch Support
Franchisees receive assistance with site selection, lease negotiation guidance, bakery layout design, and equipment specifications. The corporate team provides detailed construction and build-out standards to ensure brand consistency and operational efficiency.
Training Program
New franchise owners and key managers undergo an in-depth training program covering baking processes, food safety, inventory management, staffing, and customer experience standards. Training includes classroom instruction, hands-on bakery immersion, and ongoing operational education.
Operational Support
Franchisees benefit from standardized recipes, centralized purchasing programs, and proprietary systems that simplify daily operations. Ongoing field support, performance benchmarking, and operational audits help maintain consistency and profitability.
Marketing & Brand Support
National and regional marketing campaigns are executed by the franchisor to drive brand awareness. Franchisees receive localized marketing tools, digital assets, seasonal promotions, and guidance on community engagement strategies that drive foot traffic and repeat business.
Ongoing Support
Dedicated franchise support teams assist with operational questions, new product rollouts, technology updates, and continuous improvement initiatives. Franchisees also gain access to peer networks and annual conferences that encourage collaboration and best-practice sharing.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisee is a hands-on or semi-absentee owner with strong business acumen and a passion for customer service. Prior foodservice experience is beneficial but not mandatory, as the brand’s systems are designed to train capable operators from diverse professional backgrounds.
Successful franchisees often come from backgrounds such as retail management, hospitality, corporate leadership, or multi-unit franchise ownership. A commitment to brand standards, team development, and community engagement is critical.
Financially, candidates should have the capacity to meet the brand’s investment requirements and maintain sufficient working capital during the ramp-up phase. Location preferences typically include high-visibility retail corridors, suburban shopping centers, and family-oriented neighborhoods with strong household income demographics.
Financial Detail
| Cost / Fee Category | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $430,000 – $620,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $150,000 – $200,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $500,000+ |
| Leasehold Improvements / Build-Out | $200,000 – $300,000 |
| Equipment & Baking Infrastructure | $90,000 – $120,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Pre-Opening & Local Marketing | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital (First 3–6 Months) | $30,000 – $50,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~6% of Gross Sales |
| National Marketing / Ad Fund | ~5% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 24 – 36 Months |
| Expected ROI | Strong, category-competitive |
| Franchise Active Units (Current) | 600+ locations (approx.) |
All figures are indicative and subject to change. Final numbers are confirmed in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).