Fans mourn closure of cupcake vending machine company Sprinkles Cupcakes
ABC News••business
Key Points:
- Sprinkles Cupcakes, known for its "cupcake ATM" vending machines, has shut down after 20 years of operation, as announced on December 30.
- The company was founded by Candace Nelson in 2005, starting from her kitchen and growing to national fame with multiple storefronts and viral social media presence.
- Nelson sold Sprinkles to private equity firm KarpReilly LLC in 2012, which managed the brand until its recent closure; no official reason for the shutdown has been provided.
- Sprinkles' website no longer sells products or lists operational locations, signaling a complete end to the brand's retail presence.
- The closure reflects broader trends in the restaurant industry, where private equity has heavily
