Better Call Saul Creator Reveals Mall Store Where Saul Almost Worked

Better Call Saul Creator Reveals Mall Store Where Saul Almost Worked

As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of the Breaking Bad universe, I must say that the transformation of Saul Goodman from a sly criminal lawyer to a humble Cinnabon manager is nothing short of captivating. The journey of Bob Odenkirk’s character, Jimmy McGill-turned-Saul Goodman-turned-Gene Takavic, has been nothing but mesmerizing and intriguing.


In the “Granite State” episode of Breaking Bad, Saul Goodman tells drug lord Walter White that he’s quitting the criminal world and hints at working at a Cinnabon in the Midwest. This joke comes true in Better Call Saul, where he is indeed the manager of the popular mall outlet. Interestingly, though, co-creator Peter Gould shared that the original script had a different job for the corrupt lawyer in mind.

Saul nearly joined the well-liked clothing store Hot Topic, famous for its stylish clothes and trinkets that attract teenagers and young adults. In a post on Bluesky dated October 1st, Gould stated, “Actually, we discovered Hot Topic was selling Breaking Bad merchandise and we didn’t want it to appear as a promotional stunt. So, Cinnabon became the choice instead (They weren’t aware of it until the episode was broadcasted).

Bob Odenkirk portrayed Saul Goodman, a lawyer with a criminal background who made his debut in season 2 of “Breaking Bad.” He soon emerged as a crucial character and audience favorite, ultimately prompting the production of the spin-off series, “Better Call Saul.” This series unfolds events that transpired six years before those seen in “Breaking Bad,” chronicling Jimmy McGill’s transformation from a swindler into shady attorney Saul Goodman. Each season includes flash-forwards depicting his post-“Breaking Bad” life, where he operates under the alias Gene Takavic and works at Cinnabon.

Bob Odenkirk Worked at Cinnabon to Prepare for His Role

Better Call Saul Creator Reveals Mall Store Where Saul Almost Worked

Saul’s future job in Cinnabon, mentioned while he and Walter were waiting for witness protection, was strikingly realistic, as he joked about managing a Cinnabon in Omaha. This comment attracted the attention of the bakery restaurant, who reached out to him on social media after the penultimate episode, tweeting “When you’re ready” with a link to their career page.

Earlier observations suggested that the comment about the Cinnabon scene being insignificant changed when the company positively reacted to it, as reported by TheWrap. Jill Thomas, who served as Vice President of Global Marketing for Cinnabon at the time, disclosed in 2017 that Bryan Cranston underwent thorough training to convincingly portray his character as a fugitive lawyer. He diligently performed all tasks as “Gene” to accurately embody the role and convey its essence.

Bob underwent extensive training, similar to what other bakery workers experience, but also received personal tuition. He’s quite proud to mention that he can create an authentic Cinnabon.

The TV series “Better Call Saul” debuted on AMC in 2015 and wrapped up after six seasons in August 2022. To honor its finale, Cinnabon offered fans free treats as a heartfelt homage to Saul Goodman. Although it garnered 53 Emmy Award nominations, including several for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, the show didn’t win any awards. During filming of the final season in New Mexico, Bob Odenkirk experienced a heart attack. Later, he shared with the Los Angeles Times that he was moved by the public’s touching response to his health crisis, stating:

What has left me astonished throughout this adventure is the profound affection shown by the public towards me. My character may display sincere aspects and can be quite endearing, but he often engages in unethical, questionable behaviors. He’s far from perfect, showing traits of vindictiveness, resentment, and carelessness frequently. Yet, after portraying this character and experiencing a heart attack, the outpouring of love and concern from people who knew me only through my role? I find it utterly bewildering.

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2024-10-05 19:04