URGENT UPDATE: Sprinkles Cupcakes, the iconic bakery chain famous for its cupcake-dispensing ATMs, is shutting down all its locations by December 31, 2023. Founder Candace Nelson announced the closure via Instagram, marking the end of its 20-year run in the dessert industry.
This shocking announcement leaves locations in Palo Alto and San Ramon permanently closed, with plans for a new location in Burlingame now dashed just weeks after its reveal. Across the United States, Sprinkles operated 21 stores and 25 Cupcake ATM locations as of the closure date.
Social media is buzzing with responses from former employees, many of whom received unexpected one-day layoff notices. The emotional impact of this closure is palpable as fans express their sadness over losing what they considered a staple in their celebrations and communities.
Nelson, who started Sprinkles in 2005, sold the brand to private equity firm KarpReilly in 2012, and has since had no operational ties to the company. KarpReilly acquired the Beverly Hills-based chain in early 2013. Reflecting on the brand’s journey, Nelson stated, “I thought Sprinkles would keep growing and be around forever. I thought it was going to be my legacy.”
Sprinkles Cupcakes was hailed as the “world’s first cupcake bakery” and pioneered the gourmet cupcake trend, capturing the hearts of dessert lovers in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
As the deadline for closure approaches, fans and customers are left wondering about the future of this beloved brand. The last chance to grab a cupcake from Sprinkles will be in just a few weeks, making this a time of both nostalgia and urgency for cupcake enthusiasts.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as we await more details on the final days of Sprinkles Cupcakes.
