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Sprinkles Cupcakes, the bakery chain finest recognized for its cupcake ATMs, is completely closing all of its shops.
Candace Nelson, the corporate’s founder and former proprietor, confirmed the shutdown in an Instagram video, saying Wednesday, Dec. 31, marked Sprinkles’ “closing day” of operations.
“Just a few days in the past, I realized that Sprinkles Cupcakes, the corporate I began in 2005 after which offered to non-public fairness in 2012, can be closing its bakery doorways right this moment,” Nelson stated. “Simply to say that out loud is totally surreal.”
Though she has had no operational involvement within the enterprise since promoting it in 2012, Nelson stated she by no means imagined the model would finish this fashion.
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A closed Sprinkles Cupcakes bakery in Highland Village, Houston, Texas, Dec. 31, 2025. (Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
“I assumed Sprinkles would continue to grow and be round eternally,” Nelson stated. “I assumed it was going to be my legacy.”
Nelson additionally expressed gratitude to the corporate’s prospects and staff.
“I’m deeply grateful to the followers, prospects and group who confirmed up, celebrated with us, and made Sprinkles a part of their traditions — and to the crew who made all of it occur,” she wrote within the publish’s caption. “I’ll at all times be pleased with what we constructed.”
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A field of Sprinkles Cupcakes within the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Aug. 2, 2012. (Saul Loeb/AFP/GettyImages / Getty Pictures)
Based in Beverly Hills in 2005, Sprinkles grew right into a nationwide model with greater than 20 shops throughout six states and Washington, D.C., together with roughly two dozen cupcake ATMs, SFGATE reported.
The corporate was offered in 2012 to non-public fairness agency KarpReilly Capital Companions for an undisclosed quantity.
“After considerate consideration, we’ve made the very troublesome determination to transition away from working company-owned Sprinkles bakeries,” a spokesperson for Sprinkles Cupcakes informed KTLA.
Candace Nelson within the “Subsequent Degree Baker” season finale episode that aired Dec. 18, 2025. (FOX by way of Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
It stays unclear what’s going to occur to the corporate’s cupcake ATMs, in response to KTLA.
The shutdown has sparked swift backlash from Sprinkles’ staff, with a number of employees voicing frustration in feedback on the corporate’s Instagram web page.
“Cupcakes are candy. One-day layoff notices usually are not. Yikes, what a daring solution to have fun 20 years and ring within the new yr,” one consumer wrote.
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A detailed-up of a cupcake ATM at Sprinkles cupcakes in San Ramon, Calif., in June 2022. (Smith Assortment/Gado/Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
“Thanks for the in the future discover of unemployment and no severance!” one other stated.
“GAVE ALL EMPLOYEES COMPANY WIDE 1 DAY NOTICE THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE JOBS! Sprinkles is closing all places 12/31. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!” one other consumer wrote.
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Sprinkles didn’t instantly reply to FOX Enterprise’ request for remark.
