The beloved bakery chain Sprinkles Cupcakes has permanently shut its doors, closing all its remaining shops and its famous 24-hour cupcake ATMs across the country. The sudden closure, confirmed by founder Candace Nelson, has left devoted fans and employees shocked and confused.
Founder Announces Sudden End to a Sweet Legacy
Candace Nelson, who founded the company in California in 2005, shared the news in an emotional Instagram video on Wednesday. Nelson, who sold the business to a private equity firm in 2012, expressed her own sadness, stating she had believed Sprinkles would be her lasting legacy. "I thought Sprinkles would keep growing and be around forever," she said.
The brand became a cultural phenomenon, particularly after launching the world's first cupcake ATM in Beverly Hills in 2012. It later expanded with physical storefronts and ATMs in key locations, including parts of the UK, offering gourmet cupcakes around the clock.
Fans and Celebrities Mourn the Loss
The announcement prompted an outpouring of dismay from long-time customers and celebrity fans. Actor Francesca Capaldi called the cupcakes "the BEST," while podcast host Kat Zammuto shared her shock. Actor Amrapali Ambegaokar lamented the loss of the "best fricking red velvet cupcake" and pleaded for a revival.
Heartfelt stories emerged in the comments, with one fan revealing how Sprinkles cupcakes provided comfort during a breast cancer diagnosis and birthday haircut. The brand's website remained live but partially dysfunctional at the time of reporting, adding to the confusion surrounding the shutdown.
Allegations of Poor Treatment from Staff
The sadness was not confined to customers. Sprinkles' recent social media posts were flooded with comments from people claiming to be employees, alleging they received minimal notice of the closures.
One claimed the company gave just one day's notice of unemployment with no severance pay, accusing management of using staff over the busy holiday period before discarding them. Another called the single-day notice "crazy," while a third wryly noted: "Cupcakes are sweet. One-day layoff notices are not."
The company's final day of operation was 31 December, marking a bitter end to what would have been its 20th-anniversary year. The Independent has contacted Sprinkles Cupcakes for official comment on the closure and the staff allegations.
