Baked by Melissa CEO Melissa Ben-Ishay joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to share how getting fired impressed her to construct a multimillion-dollar cupcake empire via grit, ardour and love.
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’ “remaining day” of operations.
“A number of days in the past, I discovered that Sprinkles Cupcakes, the corporate I began in 2005 after which bought to non-public fairness in 2012, will likely be closing its bakery doorways in the present day,” 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.
STEAK ’N SHAKE TOUTS $2.50 ‘PATRIOT MILKSHAKE’ TO HONOR AMERICA’S SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL
A closed Sprinkles Cupcakes bakery in Highland Village, Houston, Texas, Dec. 31, 2025. (Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto by way of Getty Photographs / Getty Photographs)
“I believed Sprinkles would continue to grow and be round endlessly,” Nelson stated. “I believed 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 neighborhood who confirmed up, celebrated with us, and made Sprinkles a part of their traditions — and to the group who made all of it occur,” she wrote within the submit’s caption. “I’ll all the time be happy with what we constructed.”
STARBUCKS CEO CALLS AI ‘CO-PILOT,’ NOT REPLACEMENT FOR WORKERS AMID COMPANY TURNAROUND EFFORTS
A field of Sprinkles Cupcakes within the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Aug. 2, 2012. (Saul Loeb/AFP/GettyImages / Getty Photographs)
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 bought 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 Stage Baker” season finale episode that aired Dec. 18, 2025. (FOX by way of Getty Photographs / Getty Photographs)
It stays unclear what’s going to occur to the corporate’s cupcake ATMs, in line with 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 should not. Yikes, what a daring approach to have fun 20 years and ring within the new 12 months,” one person wrote.
HOLIDAY BARKS SOLD AT ALDI RECALLED OVER POTENTIAL UNDECLARED PECANS, WHEAT: FDA
A detailed-up of a cupcake ATM at Sprinkles cupcakes in San Ramon, Calif., in June 2022. (Smith Assortment/Gado/Getty Photographs / Getty Photographs)
“Thanks for the someday 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 person wrote.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Sprinkles didn’t instantly reply to FOX Enterprise’ request for remark.
