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We've all heard Jim Gaffigan rip on Cinnabon for contributing to America's weight issues, but despite their hefty calorie count, we're completely incapable of resisting those incredible cinnamon rolls. The smell wafting from their ovens is enough to sending you sprinting through the shopping mall, and it makes you wonder what magic is baked into those frosting-smothered beauties. Turns out there's nothing tricky going on—it's all about years of dedication and the best quality ingredients out there.
1. It originated in a shopping mall.
The very first Cinnabon bakery popped up at Sea Tac Mall in the Seattle area of Washington back in 1985.
2. They use the best cinnamon in the world.
Cinnabon's creators set out to find the most flavorful and aromatic cinnamon possible, and settled on "Korintje" or "Makara," a variety that can only be harvested from cassia trees in the mountains of Indonesia. It's considered the gold standard of the spice.
3. The recipe has changed over the years.
The iconic Cinnabon Classic Roll, created by Jerilyn Brusseau, originally contained raisins, while the first Cinnabon Caramel Pecanbon had rum in it. Today, a blend of brown sugar and spices gets rolled up in the signature dough, then smothered with cream cheese frosting.
4. Cinnabon bakes more than a billion cinnamon rolls each year.
The chain serves enough of the fresh-baked treats to lay them across the width of the U.S. over 3.5 times!
5. People eat them all over the world.
Cinnabon is served in over 60 countries around the world. Next to the U.S., the second largest market is Saudi Arabia, followed by Russia.
6. The chain has fast-food connections.
Customers can chow down on Cinnabon Delights at Taco Bell, and soon they'll be able to try Cinnabon Frosting Filled Pumpkin Muffins at Race Trak. Moviegoers can even eat Cinnabon Gooey Bites with their popcorn at Regal Theatres.
7. They make great coffee, too.
When the Mochalatta Chill frozen beverage first debuted 27 years ago, the chain sold enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool. Now, Cinnabon fans can take home flavored K-Cups with all the cinnamon-bun flavor they love.
8. Some locations have savory items on the menu.
Though the incredible Pizzabon is no longer on offer, select bakeries sell paninis using the signature dough, baked with cheese inside. Sounds like the ideal sandwich to us.
9. It's easy to get free treats.
Sign up for Club Cinnabon, and you'll get a free MiniBon upon joining, plus a free iced coffee on your birthday.
10. Cinnabon has spawned tons of crazy products.
There have been some delicious branded items on the market, including Cinnabon Chapstick and air freshener, plus flavored vodka, International Delight Creamer and Creme Liqueur.
11. The chain made a big television appearance.
On AMC's show Better Call Saul, a prequel to Breaking Bad, we see a flash-forward of Bob Odenkirk's character Saul, working as a Cinnabon store manager at a shopping-mall, presumable to escape his unsavory past. To play the role, Odenkirk had to go through regular employee training at a real Cinnabon.
12. There's a bite-size roll in the works.
A brand-new menu item is launching in September 2016—get ready for the smallest cinnamon roll yet, the BonBite! The cute treats will be topped with caramel pecan or classic frosting and come in at around 90 calories a piece.
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