Gigi’s Cupcakes sold; Namesake to remain in ‘chief innovator’ role

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – She was our very first Positively Tennessee segment, seven years ago.

Now the woman behind Gigi’s Cupcakes is selling her business to a Texas investment group, the terms of which will not be made public.

But Gigi Butler is still going to be a part of creating cupcakes, staying on as chief innovator.

“My sale is a little bittersweet. It’s my first baby, so handing it over to a company that I wasn’t comfortable with wasn’t going to happen. But these are great operators,” she told WISH-TV’s sister station WKRN.

The company began in 2008 when Butler opened the business with $33 in her checking account.

Now Gigi’s is available nationwide and the sale is just part of the growth.

“I’m handing it over to make it become bigger and better and a household name,” she told News 2.

The goal is 250 stores from coast to coast and new products to go in them.

“Gigi’s still and will always be baked in love. We spread love one cupcake at a time, now it’s going to be cheesecakes, signature Gigi cookies, cake balls and we’re going to revamp some of our stores, we’re going to have ice cream in some of them,” she said.

Butler said staying on as chief innovator will keep her connected but give her the chance to look ahead.

“I’m just looking forward to my next adventure. I’m not sure where I’m going it’s a blue ocean but that’s a great thing too because you have to be ready for your next path that god wants to put you on,” she said.

WKRN  asked her to share some advice for anyone dreaming of making it big.

“Go with your gut. Listen to wise counsel and advice but that being said, if I listened to everyone who said, ‘Gigi you are nuts if you are going to do a cupcake shop,’ I wouldn’t be where I am.”

Gigi told us she’s also working on a cookbook and some “entertainment possibilities.”