Cinnabon hopes to expand menu beyond cinnamon buns

Cinnabon, the seller of doughy cinnamon rolls, is due for a major menu overhaul, the brand's president told the AJC recently.

Gary Bales, who runs both Cinnabon and the Carvel ice cream chain for Atlanta-based Focus Brands, said Cinnabon's reliance on a single type of product has put pressure on franchisees. That's especially true because many Cinnabon units are located in malls, which have suffered decreased traffic as the economy cuts deep into shopping budgets.

"We're at the point where we need to reinvent ourselves," said Bales. "People are looking for an alternative to just a sweet taste."