About Cupcake Royale
When I left my fancy job at Starbucks to open the nation’s first cupcake bakery in 2003, I thought it was all about showing the world what a real, made-from-scratch cupcake could be—baked with love, real ingredients, and buttercream made with, well… butter.
What I didn’t realize was what a cupcake represents. Joy. Connection. A random act of kindness in edible form. A cupcake is comfort. It’s also a sweet way to say thank you, I love you, or hang in there. It’s there for life’s biggest celebrations—birthdays, weddings, baby showers—and for the days when you just need something to keep you going.
Cupcake Royale became so much more than I ever imagined. It’s a reminder that the smallest things—a bite of cake, a swirl of frosting with sprinkles—can bring people together in the best (and hardest) moments of life. At the end of the day, cupcakes bring us together. They remind us that the smallest things can create moments of joy, connection, and love. That’s what it’s always been about.
Baking with Purpose
From day one, Cupcake Royale has been about more than just cupcakes—it’s been about standing for something bigger. Whether it’s fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, championing women in business, or pushing for progressive change, we’ve never shied away from doing what’s right.
As a queer, female founder, I’ve always believed business can be a force for good. For the last 21 years, we’ve proven that one cupcake (and one bold stand) at a time.
A Seattle Original
Seattle made Cupcake Royale, and we like to think we’ve given a little something back. From our Capitol Hill roots to our neighborhood bakeries, we embody this city’s spirit—bold, creative, and unapologetically ourselves. We keep it local, sourcing from nearby farms and purveyors, and take our inspiration from the incredible community that surrounds us.
21 Years & Counting
What started as a small bakery with big dreams has become a Seattle institution. For two decades, we’ve been there for your birthdays, weddings, celebrations, and those ‘just because’ moments. And we’re still here, baking every cupcake with the same love and dedication as we did on day one.
To our customers—thank you. Thank you for showing up, for supporting local, and for making Cupcake Royale what it is today. Here’s to the next 20 years of being bold, being sweet, and always adding a little frosting on top.
With gratitude,
Jody Hall
Founder, Cupcake Royale