Nation’s first Cinnabon Swirl opens in the West Valley

Originally published on GlendaleStar.com on June 1, 2025

Cinnabon and Carvel have combined forces, bringing the nation’s first Cinnabon Swirl to Peoria on May 23.

Located at the Lake Pleasant Crossing Shopping Center, Cinnabon Swirl offers unique mashup dessert items unavailable anywhere else. It is the first in the nation, opening in Peoria due to the city’s projected growth and the community-oriented environment the current residents create, according to Vice President of Cinnabon Swirl Operations John Hensley.

“We want to make sure that we’re going into a city that’s growing and that’s vibrant,” Hensley said.

Cinnabon Swirl will have classics from both Cinnabon and Carvel, like its MiniBon and Center of the Roll. New items include the “Bonini,” which takes the classic Cinnabon roll, cuts it in half and adds Carvel’s vanilla soft serve ice cream to the center. New ice cream sandwiches combine chocolate chip cookies and a choice between several Carvel soft serve flavors.

“We’re always going to have our everyday flavors: our vanilla, chocolate and our twist. Then, every month, we’re going to be introducing new and exciting flavors,” Hensley said. “We’re starting off with our caramel macchiato and our birthday cake, which will be available for the next month or so. Then, we have a calendar of new flavors.”

The idea for Cinnabon Swirl began approximately two years ago, after a survey found that 80% of existing consumers were willing to try the concept. Both the Carvel and Cinnabon brands are owned by GoTo Foods, and the parent company’s team realized there was a demand for a new treat destination that innovated well-known, trustworthy brands.

“Cinnabon is a world-renowned brand that has a lot of consumer love, and then Carvel has a very deep, loyal fan following, mainly on the East Coast,” Hensley said. “We are putting these two powerhouses together and allowing the consumer to still get some of their favorites and the core equities of Cinnabon and Carvel, and then also introducing some of these mashup items, really allowing for a little bit of that customization.”

GoTo Foods is also the parent company of nationally renowned brands McAlister’s Deli, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Schlotzsky’s and Moe’s Southwest Grill. A partnership with the local father-son duo Tony and Namit Mangat have propelled GoTo Foods’ expansion into the West Valley. Together, they have opened two Moe’s Southwest Grill restaurants in the past six months, including one right next door to Cinnabon Swirl.

“This is monumental,” Mangat said. “We have Moe’s on one side, but to be able to open up Cinnabon Swirl and potentially open up a few more is exciting. We’re excited to bring both of these concepts into the Valley.”

Future Cinnabon Swirl locations are planned in Georgia, California and Oregon.

“This is just the beginning,” Hensley said. “We have so many of these that are about to open up. Obviously, Namit is a huge growth partner for us, and we have a little bit to learn, but we’re really excited about this concept, and we’re opening a lot next. We have about 30 more deals on the table as well, so we’re excited about the fast growth of this brand.”