Sprinkles, the world’s first cupcake ATM, is closing after 20 years

Popular American bakery Sprinkles Cupcakes is closing its doors after 20 years.

In an Instagram video, founder Candace Nelson—who sold the company to a private equity firm in 2012—revealed she learned that the brand would be closing its doors for good on New Year’s Eve.

"Even though I sold the company over a decade ago, I still have such a personal connection to it. And this isn't how I thought the story would go," she said. "I thought Sprinkles would keep going and be around forever. I thought it was going to be my legacy."

“It’s hard to describe how I’m feeling right now, but one thing's for sure, I am incredibly grateful for all the joy our cupcakes have brought to millions of people over the years," she continued.

Nelson promised to share her favorite memories about the company soon and invited fans to contribute their own stories.

"I built this company as a point of joy, connection, and I would like to honor that," she ended.

According to reports, the employees received notice of the closure only on their final day of work.

Some individuals who claimed to have worked for the company also left comments on Sprinkles' latest Instagram posts, saying they were blindsided.

"One day notice is crazy. Just used us for the holidays then tossed us aside," one alleged.

Another one wrote: "Thanks for the one day notice of unemployment and no severance!"

After debuting its flagship Beverly Hills store in 2005, the chain eventually expanded across multiple states, operating nine locations in California and maintaining multiple automated cupcake vending machines.