Franchising’s Power Players: George Kuan

Lisa Ocker
| September 6, 2024

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George Kuan’s inspiration to create Bang Cookies was simple: He wanted to bring people joy. “I’ve always loved cookies. They’re the perfect treat, simple yet incredibly satisfying. I wanted to elevate that experience by using organic, high-quality ingredients and unique, bold flavors,” he says.

Kuan, an entrepreneur with food, tech and finance experience, wanted to create a cookie that was indulgent and made with care that would stand out in a crowded market. No small task, except Americans love their cookies, consuming some 2 billion cookies a year, with the average American gobbling 35,000 cookies in a lifetime! In fact, the North American cookies market was valued at $12.6 billion and projected to reach $20.23 billion by the end of 2030.

Humble Roots, Catchy Name

What began in 2016 in Jersey City, N.J., with humble roots (in a farmer’s market) and a provocative name (Bang Me Bakery) is now in multiple markets with cookies shipped anywhere in the U.S., and seeking multi-unit franchise owners! Bang Cookies has been featured in The New York Times, Fox News “Fox and Friends” with hosts sharing a 1-pound stuffed cookie, and Business Insider, among other media outlets.

“We’ve made over 1 million cookies!” Kuan says. “Each one is crafted with the same care and attention as our first batch, and it’s amazing to think how far we’ve come. We’re grateful for every customer who has enjoyed our cookies along the way.”

The giant, all-natural, soft-baked Bang Cookies feature organic ingredients, real butter and pure vanilla. New introductions and seasonal flavors keep things exciting. The best seller is the sea salt chocolate chunk cookie made with white and brown sugar, locally milled flour, grass-fed butter, and milk and semisweet dark chocolate. Another favorite is the s’mores cookie, which includes a chocolate bar and marshmallow encased in pieces of graham crackers. “We’re also looking into expanding our vegan and gluten-free options so there’s something delicious for everyone,” Kuan says. “Stay tuned!”

I look for passion, creativity and a strong work ethic in my team.

Q&A: George Kuan, Bang Cookies

Here, Kuan discusses the importance of passion, creativity, leadership, and quality as a habit.

1. What qualities do you seek in your team?

I look for passion, creativity and a strong work ethic in my team. It’s important that everyone who works with us shares our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. We also value adaptability and a willingness to learn — our industry is always evolving and we need people who can grow with us. Lastly, a sense of humor doesn’t hurt. After all, we’re in the business of making people happy!

2. Why do you love franchising?

Franchising allows us to spread the joy of Bang Cookies far beyond our original location. It’s about sharing our recipe for success with others who are just as passionate about cookies as we are. I love that through franchising we can build a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who are excited to carry our brand forward. It’s a way to grow while staying true to our core values.

3. Who do you admire in franchising and why?

I admire Ray Kroc, the man who transformed McDonald’s into a global franchise. He had a vision of consistency and quality that has defined what franchising can achieve. His determination to maintain standards across all locations and his innovative approach to scaling a business are things that I deeply respect and aim to emulate in our own growth.

One of my favorite mantras in business is ‘quality is not an act, it’s a habit.’ This drives everything we do at Bang Cookies, from the selection of ingredients to the customer service we provide. It’s about consistently delivering the best, day in and day out.

5. What is your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest career accomplishment is building Bang Cookies from a simple idea into a brand that resonates with so many people. Seeing our cookies bring smiles to faces and being able to expand our reach through franchising is incredibly rewarding. It’s fulfilling to know that we’ve created something that people love and that we’re able to provide opportunities for others through our business.

For more information, visit https://franchiseexpert.com/franchise-evaluations/bang-cookies/.

Lisa Ocker

Lisa Ocker’s career began at her hometown paper, The Baytown Sun, covering everything from city government to chemical plant disasters, a hurricane and a controversial FEMA buyout of a flood-plagued neighborhood. From there, she moved to South Florida, reporting for the Palm Beach Post and South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspapers, and serving as editor of the regional magazine, Boca Raton. Returning to her home state, she led the re-launch of SUCCESS magazine as editor after a Texas-based entrepreneur bought the 100-year-old brand.

Lisa’s work also has appeared in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Newsweek. She has covered major news events including the space shuttle Challenger explosion and the rape trial and acquittal of William Kennedy Smith, nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Edward Kennedy. Her coverage of immigration issues included reporting on Haitian and Cuban refugee crises while traveling with the U.S. Coast Guard and from the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Her work with SUCCESS included profiles of entrepreneurs Steve Case, Ted Turner and the late Tony Hsieh.

Now living in and working from Santa Fe, NM, Lisa enjoys sharing the challenges and successes of franchisees and franchisors as senior editor of
FranchiseWire and Franchise Consultant Magazine.