Cinnabon

About Cinnabon

Cinnabon is famous around the world for its cinnamon rolls. Founded in 1985 by Rich and Greg Komen, the brand has grown through consistent product quality and an experience people recognise quickly. At this point, the smell almost does the talking before the team does. In Mexico, Cinnabon keeps growing and now operates in more than five states. That growth needs more than good products. Stores, teams, standards, and admin work all have to stay aligned. Payroll and HR may sit behind the counter, but when something goes wrong there, everyone feels it.

What challenges were they facing with payroll management?

Before Runa, Cinnabon handled payroll with Excel files and help from an external accountant. It covered the basics, but the process became harder to manage as the business grew. Each payroll cycle needed reviews, checks, and manual calculations to avoid mistakes.

As Alejandro Cáceres explains, “Errors in calculations and slow disbursement took away key time we needed to focus on operations.” The team needed to focus on stores, not chase numbers across files. Manual payroll had become too fragile for where the company was heading.

In what areas has Runa helped them?

Runa brought payroll into one platform and made the process easier to control. Automation improved calculations, reduced errors, and helped make sure employees were paid on time. That gave the finance team and employees more confidence. “Today, we have the peace of mind that payments are made correctly and on time,” explains Alejandro Cáceres. That certainty reduced admin pressure and gave the team time back. Instead of repeating checks, they can focus more on store performance, daily operations, and growth.

Why did they choose Runa?

Cinnabon chose Runa because they needed payroll to be simpler, but still accurate and easy to control. The goal was not just to move the process online. It was to make it easier to trust. Runa stood out because it was simple to use and kept payroll and employee processes in one place. Support also mattered. The team had guidance during setup and daily use, which made the switch easier. Today, Runa helps Cinnabon spend less time on payroll issues and more time on stores, customers, and growth.

Where will Cinnabon be in 10 years?

Cinnabon plans to keep growing across Mexico, opening in new cities and strengthening its place in restaurants and retail. The company wants to keep that growth steady while protecting the product quality people already know. The goal is a stronger, more organised operation with more reach across the country. With better internal processes and a clear focus on customer experience, Cinnabon is building for the future. More stores. More customers. More cinnamon doing its little magic.