Simple Business Models and Feel-Good Products are Hallmarks of Cookie Franchising Opportunities
Updated March 19, 2024
Life’s simple pleasures make it sweet, and few things are sweeter than cookies. From chocolate chip and snickerdoodle to macarons and shortbread, these delectable treats make the perfect addition during travel, shopping excursions and special occasions – or just another Tuesday at home. In the U.S. alone, the cookie market is estimated to reach $12.48 billion in 2024, according to Mordor Intelligence.
Driven by Gen Z’s love of everything dessert, cookie brands like Crumbl Cookies are cult favorites. This gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to own a fun, feel-good business.
Looking to take a passion for baking to the next level or change your career? Take charge with the following franchising opportunities.
Top Cookie Franchising Opportunities
Chip Cookies
Chip Cookies brands itself as “the original gourmet cookie delivery company.” Sean and Sarah Wilson conceived of the idea for the business when she craved chocolate chip cookies while pregnant. Award-winning cookies that Chip is known for include Lucky Chip, Snickerdoodle Chip, Peppermint Joe Joe Chip, Red Velvet Chip and more. In addition to being a favorite among everyday people, Chip has famous partners including Food Network star Kelsey Nixon and NBA players Georges Niang and Rudy Gobert.
Cookies by Design
Cookies by Design is an affordable, scalable franchise that features custom, hand-decorated cookie bouquets, gourmet cookies, cupcakes and other treats for special events. Franchisees have a unique opportunity for multiple revenue streams: e-commerce, retail shop and B2B gifting programs. In addition to protected territories and multi-unit agreements, the franchise offers a special ownership program for military veterans.
Cookie Dough Bliss & Creamery
Founded in 2017, the North Carolina-based Cookie Dough Bliss & Creamery franchise is known for its simple business model. With the brand’s Instagram-worthy milkshakes, “bliss bars,” cakes, pies, floats, cones, ice cream sandwiches and pops, customers experience a sense of nostalgia as they indulge in the craveable confections of their youth. Entrepreneurs from every background can succeed with the cookie dough franchise, and they benefit from several revenue streams, including online ordering, catering and parties. Ideal franchisee candidates are passionate entrepreneurs with proven leadership skills. Low overhead and small footprints (800 to 1,200 square feet) make the emerging franchise opportunity more affordable than other food brands.
Crumbl Cookies
The Crumbl Cookies franchise features a weekly rotating menu, open-concept kitchens and recognizable pink packaging. More than 200 cakes, candies, pies and other desserts inspire the changing menu. Technology ensures a streamlined process for franchise owners and an enhanced customer experience. The cookie franchise’s app allows customers to enjoy pickup, catering and gifting options with ease. Candidates have to be fully committed to the business; this isn’t a side hustle. Since its founding in 2017, Crumbl has expanded to over 980 locations across North America, according to the franchise’s website.
Dirty Dough
With a rotating menu, user-friendly mobile app, wide open territories, and low labor costs, the Dirty Dough franchise is a sweet business opportunity. In addition to a traditional storefront, franchise owners can take the business on the road with a mobile unit. Not only can you go to customers where they are, but you decrease overhead with this option.
Eileen’s Colossal Cookies
Eileen’s Colossal Cookies is looking for franchise partners with dreams as big as the brand’s 16-inch cookies. Franchising since 1994, the brand has locations in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming. The initial investment is affordable, and entrepreneurs can be open for business in about six to eight months, depending on financing, site selection, remodeling time, and obtaining licenses and permits. Eileen’s is known for custom-made cookies for everything from birthdays and anniversaries to baptisms and every holiday celebration.
Great American Cookies
The Great American Cookies franchise launched in 1977 with two key pillars: a family chocolate chip cookie recipe and a belief that simple delights make life worth living. The cookie brand is known for its Original Cookie Cake and varied flavors, brownies and Double Doozie cookie sandwiches. The FAT Brands franchise umbrella owns Great American Cookies; its other brands include Elevation Burger, Hot Dog on a Stick, Twin Peaks, Pretzelmaker, Yalla Mediterranean, Native Grill & Wings, Fazoli’s and Smokey Bones. According to the cookie franchise’s website, the Los Angeles-based brand has expanded to over 400 locations across the U.S., Bahrain, Guam and Saudi Arabia. Franchise owners benefit from small footprints (400 to 1,200 square feet) and multibranding opportunities with the Marble Slab Creamery ice cream franchise.
Le Macaron French Pastries
Founded by mother-daughter duo Audrey Guillem-Saba and Rosalie Guillem in 2009, Le Macaron French Pastries is on a mission to pack the French spirit into all of its macarons. For the uninitiated, macarons are meringue-based confections made with egg white, confectioners’ sugar, granulated sugar and almond meal. Le Macaron’s pastries are prepared at a central baking facility and then shipped to franchise owners, a business model that allows for high standards in flavor and quality. Ideal franchisee candidates are looking to open multiple units.
Mrs. Fields
Mrs. Fields started as a business in Debbi Fields’ kitchen more than 40 years ago. Today, the cookie franchise is an iconic household name known by 81% of Americans, according to its website. Mrs. Fields is known for its custom decoration, hand-frosting and high-quality ingredients. Entrepreneurs can choose from three different models: counter service, kiosk and nontraditional (airports, universities and hospitals.)
Schmackary’s Cookies
Since opening in New York City’s Theatre District in 2012, Schmackary’s Cookies has earned the title of the “Official Cookie of Broadway.” The brand cranks out thousands of cookies like the “Carmel Apple Crisp,” “Maple Bacon,” and “Oatmeal Scotchie” to tourists, locals and Broadway stars daily. Founder Zachary Schmahl took his big city dreams and turned them into a $1 million success story in the first year without spending a dollar on advertising. Franchise owners benefit from streamlined operations, low startup costs, multiple revenue streams (coffee, catering, and delivery), and open territories across the country. The cookie franchise’s appearances on The Tony Awards, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Buzzfeed, USA Today, OK Magazine, and Food Network have increased its visibility and credibility with the public.
WOOPS!
The WOOPS! franchise specializes in macarons, and owners benefit from low start-up costs, a simple business model and multiple revenue streams, including experiential sales and off-site sales. In addition to traditional locations, WOOPS! boutique kiosks are visible in malls throughout the Northeast.
