Nothing Bundt Cakes has spent nearly three decades turning a simple idea — a moist, cream-cheese-frosted Bundt cake — into one of the fastest-growing bakery franchises in the country. For entrepreneurs scanning the food-and-beverage franchise landscape, this brand offers a rare combination: a recession-resilient product tied to celebrations, a nearly all-franchised network, and a corporate parent actively pushing toward 1,000 locations.
Franchise · Food & Restaurant
Nothing Bundt Cakes Franchise
Cream-cheese-frosted Bundt cakes and a nearly all-franchisee network growing toward 1,000 U.S. locations.
$45,000
franchise fee
$250,000
personal capital
USD 667k – 1Mk
investment
660
U.S. locations
How much does a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise cost?
Franchise fee
Amount paid when signing the contract
$45,000
Personal capital
Own funds required to complete the financing
$250,000
Total investment
Estimated total budget for the opening
$667,100 – $1,032,500
Ongoing royalty
6%
Advertising royalty
5%
Minimum area
from 1,600 sq m
Locations in the U.S.
660
Locations worldwide
800
Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.
What it's about
- Founded
- 1997
- Units in the market
- 800
- Locations
- 660
- Type of business
- Retail bakery specializing in Bundt cakes
- Company
- Nothing Bundt Franchising, LLC
Fact sheet
The right questions before you start
Why the brand is drawing so much franchisee interest
Nothing Bundt Cakes has scaled quickly under different ownership groups, growing from roughly 175 units in 2016 to several hundred more today, with recent reporting pointing to a network approaching 800 bakeries and an ambition to cross 1,000 locations within the next year. The business is overwhelmingly franchisee-owned — more than 95 percent of bakeries are run by franchise partners rather than the corporate office — which signals a franchisor genuinely built around independent operators rather than company-run flagship stores. Reported unit-level economics also favor smaller-format stores, which is where much of the newer development is being directed.
Who the franchisor is looking for
This is not a first-time, low-capital opportunity. Nothing Bundt Cakes is looking for owner-operators or investor-owners backed by experienced operating partners, with a demonstrated ability to lead teams, follow an established operating system, and manage a retail or restaurant-style business. Candidates are expected to bring meaningful financial strength, a genuine enthusiasm for the product, and a service-first mindset, since the in-store experience is central to the brand's word-of-mouth growth. Multi-unit development is actively encouraged for franchisees who prove themselves with a first location.
What it costs to open a bakery
According to the company's own franchise information, the initial franchise fee is $45,000 for a single bakery, with an ongoing royalty of 6 percent and a marketing contribution of 5 percent. Independent reporting based on the Franchise Disclosure Document shows a broader total investment range, generally falling between roughly $667,100 and $906,500 for smaller-format locations, and between about $747,100 and $1,032,500 for larger stores above 1,800 square feet. Candidates are expected to show a net worth of at least $750,000 and liquid capital of at least $250,000 per bakery. Some older figures circulating on third-party franchise directories — lower fees and different royalty splits — reflect outdated disclosure documents and should not be treated as current terms.
Key facts at a glance
- Founded in 1997 in Las Vegas, Nevada, franchising since 2006
- Corporate offices now based in Dallas, Texas
- Roughly 660 to 800+ bakeries across the U.S. and Canada, depending on the reporting period
- Over 95 percent franchisee-owned network
- Initial franchise fee of $45,000 per the official site
- Royalty of 6 percent plus a 5 percent marketing contribution
- Minimum net worth of $750,000 and liquid capital of $250,000 required
- Typical bakery size around 1,600 to 1,800 square feet
- Most locations open within 9 to 12 months of signing
If the idea of running a celebration-focused bakery business inside a proven, fast-growing system appeals to you, reach out to Nothing Bundt Cakes directly to request detailed franchise information and confirm current availability in your market.
How much does it cost to open a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise?
Based on the franchisor's disclosures, total investment generally ranges from about $667,100 to $906,500 for smaller bakeries and up to roughly $1,032,500 for larger ones. The initial franchise fee is $45,000 per the official site, with a 6 percent royalty and 5 percent marketing fee. Candidates should confirm current figures directly with the company, since terms can be updated in newer disclosure documents.
What net worth and liquidity do I need to qualify as a franchisee?
The company requires a minimum net worth of $750,000 and at least $250,000 in liquid capital per bakery. These thresholds reflect the investment size and are designed to ensure franchisees can fund the build-out and operate through the initial ramp-up period without financial strain. Multi-unit candidates would need proportionally more.
How does the Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise model actually work?
Franchisees operate a retail bakery selling ten Bundt cake flavors in four sizes, finished with the brand's signature cream cheese frosting. Stores are intentionally styled to feel like an independent neighborhood bakery. Most locations run between 1,600 and 1,800 square feet, and the company encourages this smaller footprint because it tends to generate stronger revenue per square foot than larger stores.
What training and support does Nothing Bundt Cakes provide?
New franchisees complete a two-week initial training program at company headquarters covering bakery operations, marketing, customer experience, and team management. After opening, franchisees receive ongoing support including field visits, marketing resources, and operational guidance from corporate and territory teams. Multi-unit growth opportunities are also available for operators who demonstrate strong results.
How big is the Nothing Bundt Cakes network today?
Reporting places the network anywhere from about 660 to over 800 bakeries across the U.S. and Canada, depending on the source and reporting date, with the company pursuing aggressive growth toward 1,000 locations. More than 95 percent of bakeries are franchisee-owned rather than company-operated, reflecting a franchise-first growth strategy. Exact current counts should be confirmed with the franchisor.
Sources and data verification
The figures on this page come from the following sources:
- Official Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise page (2026)
- International Franchise Association (IFA) listing (2026)
- 1851 Franchise (FDD 2025 analysis) (2026)
- Restaurant Dive (2024)
- QSR Magazine (2025)
- Franchise Chatter (2025)
- Yahoo Finance (2026)
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Nothing Bundt Cakes
Investment $667,100 to $1,032,500 depending on bakery size