Fans mourn closure of cupcake vending machine company Sprinkles Cupcakes
January 2, 2026
A company known for its “cupcake ATMs” has shut down after decades in the U.S. Sprinkles Cupcakes’ former owner Candace Nelson announced the closure Dec. 30. Fans took to social media to lament the closure. The company’s cupcake-dispensing machines in malls and airports briefly went viral on TikTok. The company no longer has any products for sale on its website. Nelson sold the business to private equity firm KarpReilly LLC in 2012. Neither the firm nor Nelson provided a reason for the closure. Private equity has dramatically expanded its influence in restaurants over the last decade.