Sprinkles, the California-based cupcake chain, is permanently closing all of its stores, according to the business' founder and former owner.
Candace Nelson announced the chain's store closures in a social media post on Wednesday, Dec. 31, which reads: "Today is Sprinkles' final day."
"I'm deeply grateful to the fans, customers, and community who showed up, celebrated with us, and made Sprinkles part of their traditions - and to the team who made it all happen. I'll always be proud of what we built," Nelson's caption for the post says. "Today, my heart is with the Sprinkles employees."
Nelson said she started Sprinkles in 2005 with only a "KitchenAid mixer and a big idea." Since then, the company has expanded across the United States, including in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington, D.C.
As Sprinkles expanded, it launched the Cupcake ATM, a 24/7 vending machine that allows customers to purchase cupcakes and sometimes cookies outside of business hours.
Sprinkles' store closures come after Nelson sold the business in 2012, according to her social media post. KarpReilly, LLC, a private equity firm, announced in January 2013 that it invested in Sprinkles.
"It's surreal to see this chapter come to a close - and it's not how I imagined the story would unfold," Nelson wrote in her post.
Why would Sprinkles be closing?
Nelson did not offer insight into why Sprinkles may be closing its stores, as she said she has "no ownership or operational involvement in the company."
Sprinkles does not have to publicly disclose its financial status, including revenue, since it is a private company. According to Sprinkles' website, the chain has 21 in-store locations and 25 Cupcake ATMs.
USA TODAY contacted Sprinkles and KarpReilly on Wednesday, Dec. 31, but has not received a response.
Sprinkles customers share stories ahead of possible closings
In Nelson's post, she asked customers to share "stories about how Sprinkles Cupcakes added a little extra sweetness, comfort, or connection to (their) life."
Dr. Chantal Lunderville, a board-certified physician in California, commented below Nelson's post: "I remember sprinkles was our treat after a long day of studying in med school and my brother and sister in law served them at their wedding instead of cake and I remember I wanted every flavor and took 6 of them which I later got in trouble for (how did I know they were limited to 2 a person?!). Forever my favorite treat the reminds me friends and family."
Sto Estrada, an Instagram user, commented: "My best friend and I planned and took road trips up to LA just to go to Sprinkles. It was a highlight of our highschool years. Car rides, adventures in a different city, the cutest cupcakes. Finally living in the same city again during the pandemic ordering Sprinkles cupcakes almost weekly ad our sweet treat was a highlight of lockdown."
Other commenters showed support for Nelson and Sprinkles employees who might potentially be impacted by any closures.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sprinkles closing all of its cupcake stores, former owner says