Clash of the Cupcake Chains: Sprinkles v. Gigi's Cupcakes

By Lauren Saria Wed., Oct. 24 2012 at 9:11 AM

Sprinkles takes on new-to-the-Valley, Gigi's Cupcakes

Remember the 2000s, when cupcakes were just another bakery treat to enjoy on special occasions like birthdays and holidays? Yeah, so do we. But since those long gone days the little, frosted cakes have become America's sweetheart of sweet treats. They're everywhere we look it seems and have spawned a booming industry all their own of dedicated bakeries, television shows and mountains of cupcake-themed merchandise.

So when the Queen of the Southern cupcake scene, Gigi's Cupcakes, set up shop in the Valley we couldn't help but pit the two biggest names in cupcakes against each other to see which chain would come on top.

Let the frosting fly.

See also:
- Schnitzel Showdown: Haus Murphy's vs. Bavarian Point
- America's Largest Cupcake Franchise Expands to Arizona Because Cupcakes, Chains

To keep things fair we chose a flavor offered every day by both shops, red velvet.

Lauren Saria

Gigi's Cupcakes red velvet cupcake

In This Corner: Gigi's Cupcakes

The Setup: To put it simply, this is America's largest cupcake chain. With more than 65 locations including two (soon to be three) in our own backyard, Gigi's got most of the country covered, cupcake-wise. Founded in Nashville by Gina "Gigi" Butler in 2008, the franchise offers a giant selection of more than 30 daily rotating flavors including Coconut Macaroon, Kentucky Bourbon Pie and Pumpkin White Chocolate.

The Good: If you like your frosting piled high, then know you'll love what you get at Gigi's. We'll give it to them, they've got some good looking cupcakes. Frosting, sprinkles and decorations that you can actually eat - yeah, we're looking at you Sprinkles, with your hard-as-plastic cupcake toppers. The frosting was light and fluffy and the cake moist without being overly sweet.

The Bad: The frosting, while easy on the eyes, made the cupcake extremely top-heavy and therefore difficult to eat.

The Price: $3.50 a pop

Location Info

Venue

Map

Gigi's Cupcakes

3925 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ

Category: Restaurant

1 user reviews	Write A Review
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Sprinkles Cupcakes

4501 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Category: General

Gigi's Cupcakes

3925 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ

Category: Restaurant

Gigi's Cupcakes

15807 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ

Category: Restaurant

Tags:

battle, Gigi's Cupcakes, red velvet cake, Sprinkles Cupcakes Scottsdale

We Recommend

jlind29

supportlocal, you are so wrong. ALL of Gigi's cupcakes are made from scratch. you have no idea what you are talking about.

supportlocal

Why oh why would you waste time writing about chains where there are so many (SO MANY) better choices owned and operated locally who produce cupcakes baked from scratch. Both of these corporate chains use cake mix and premade buckets of frosting at their outlets. While that sometimes has its place (walmart cupcakes for example) it's hardly worth writing home about. While I have tried both chains over the years...both are pretty much what you expect from a mass produced cupcake factory...hostess cupcakes at best. Please take time to review real bakeries with real bakers who perfect their craft with real deal scratch bakeries! They are the backbone of this town! Thanks!

rachell_henderson

Living close to Nashville, we have both GiGi's & Sprinkles close by. Hands down, GiGi's is the absolute BEST there is. My favorite 'White Chocolate Raspberry Frappe' is a little piece heaven right here on earth! GiGi's is my guilty pleasure:-) There's nothing like seeing my husband walk through the door with that pretty little green box!

Cupcake4815

1 Like

Y'all must not have been taught how to properly eat a Gigi's cupcake! You turn it upside down and smash the cake part into the frosting, then eat it with a fork. That will solve your top heavy, hard to eat problem!