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Baked by Melissa CEO Melissa Ben-Ishay joins “Mornings with Maria” to share how her firing inspired her to build a multi-million dollar cupcake empire through courage, passion and love.
Sprinkles Cupcakes, the bakery chain best known for its cupcake vending machines, is permanently closing all its stores.
Candace Nelson, the company’s founder and former owner, confirmed the closure in an Instagram video, saying Wednesday, Dec. 31 marked Sprinkles’ “last day” of business.
“A few days ago I learned that Sprinkles Cupcakes, the company I started it in 2005 and then sold it to a private equity fund in 2012. I’m going to close the doors to my bakery today,” Nelson said. “Just saying that out loud is completely surreal.”
Although she has had no operational involvement in the company since its sale in 2012, Nelson said she never imagined the brand would end this way.
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A closed Sprinkles Cupcakes bakery in Highland Village, Houston, Texas on December 31, 2025. (Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
“I thought Sprinkles would continue to grow and be around forever,” Nelson said. “I thought that would be my legacy.”
Nelson also expressed his gratitude to the company’s customers and employees.
“I am deeply grateful to the fans, customers and community who showed up, celebrated with us, and made Sprinkles part of their traditions – and the team who made it all possible,” she wrote in the post’s caption. “I will always be proud of what we built.”
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A box of Sprinkles Cupcakes in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on August 2, 2012. (Sulish Loe/AFP/GETYimages/gettty images)
Founded in Beverly Hills in 2005, Sprinkles has grown into a national brand with more than 20 stores in six states and Washington, D.C., as well as approximately two dozen cupcake vending machines, SFGATE reported.
The company was sold in 2012 to private equity company KarpReilly Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount.
“After careful consideration, we have made the very difficult decision to cease operating the company-owned Sprinkles bakeries,” a Sprinkles Cupcakes spokesperson said. told KTLA.
Candace Nelson in the season finale episode “Next Level Baker” airing December 18, 2025. (FOX via Getty Images / Getty Images)
It’s still unclear what will happen to the company’s cupcake vending machines, according to KTLA.
The closure sparked a swift backlash from Sprinkles employees, with several workers expressing their frustration in comments on the company’s Instagram page.
“Cupcakes are sweet. One day layoff notices are not. Ouch, what a bold way to celebrate your 20th birthday and ring in the new year,” one user wrote.
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A close-up of a cupcake vending machine at Sprinkles Cupcakes in San Ramon, California in June 2022. (Collection Smith/Gado/Getty Images / Getty Images)
“Thank you for the one day’s notice of unemployment and no severance pay!” said another.
“GAVE ALL COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONE DAY NOTICE THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE A JOB! Sprinkles is closing all of their locations on 12/31. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!” another user wrote.
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Sprinkles did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
