1851

Over-the-top dessert shop concepts have grown in popularity in recent years. What makes Crumbl Cookies stand out from the competition and why has it been so successful in generating a large and loyal customer base?The brand was founded in 2017 and already has 918 stores across the country. From 2022 to 2023 alone, the brand more than doubled its number of franchise locations from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrn.com/top-500-restaurants/good-technology-focus-unit-economics-fuel-crumbl-cookies-massive-expansion?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">326 to 689</a>.&nbsp;How has the brand managed this rapid success? Let’s take a look.<h3>A Giant Social Media Presence and Preying on FOMO</h3>In short, much of Crumbl’s success comes down to the giant,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/why-crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-every-other-fast-food-chain-at-social-media-2721626#most-recent-stories">influential social media presence</a> the brand has cleverly created. By regularly posting engaging content, and mixing in a few well-thought-out marketing strategies, the brand has taken its young following and converted them into loyal customers.&nbsp;As with any good social media marketing strategy, Crumbl has instilled major FOMO (fear of missing out) into its following. Crumbl famously has a classic cookie flavor that’s always on offer: milk chocolate chip. Beyond that, all of the flavors come in and out of rotation with new flavors continually being introduced. The rotating flavor concept is very effective, as the flavors are only announced each week and only offered for a limited time. This creates a sense of FOMO in the brand’s followers, prompting them to go and try this exciting new flavor before it’s gone. It also keeps social media flowers engaged as they wait and see if their favorite flavor will make its return or if a new tempting flavor will be introduced. To further influence the masses, the brand works alongside influencers and celebrities, creating unboxing videos with beloved and well-known faces as the taste testers.&nbsp;How effective have these strategies been in terms of followers and subscribers? Let’s take a look at the numbers.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/crumblcookies/?hl=en&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>&nbsp;Followers: 4,200,000<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2lOFxphAe-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA=="><div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><iframe src="//cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?app=1&amp;api_key=fd3b6b3731f34f55ba1fe3&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FC2lOFxphAe-%2F%3Futm_source%3Dig_web_copy_link%26igsh%3DMzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></div></figure><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@crumblcookies?lang=en&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TikTok</a>Followers: 7,200,000Likes: 75,200,000<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.tiktok.com/@crumblcookies/video/7329319865087446315?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7280895929216452142"><div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><iframe src="//cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?app=1&amp;api_key=fd3b6b3731f34f55ba1fe3&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40crumblcookies%2Fvideo%2F7329319865087446315%3Fis_from_webapp%3D1%26sender_device%3Dpc%26web_id%3D7280895929216452142" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></div></figure> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CrumblCookies?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">YouTube</a>Subscribers: 1,770,000&nbsp;<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiWmBclKkp4"><div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><iframe src="//cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?app=1&amp;api_key=fd3b6b3731f34f55ba1fe3&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DAiWmBclKkp4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></div></figure><h3>Franchising with Crumbl Cookies: The Investment and Its Competitors</h3>Franchising with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/crumbl-cookies-reigning-supreme-in-the-gourmet-cookie-franchise-market-2724633#most-recent-stories">Crumbl Cookies</a> might sound quite tempting at this point. However, Crumbl isn’t the only successful gourmet cookie concept in the franchise space. Let’s see how it compares to some of its competitors in terms of the required initial investment and number of franchised units.<a href="https://crumblcookies.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Crumbl Cookies</a>Initial Investment: $227,666 to $567,833Franchise Fee:&nbsp;$25,000Unit Count: 918<a href="https://www.fatbrands.com/brand/great-american-cookies/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Great American Cookies</a>Initial Investment: $49,550 to $317,15050Franchise Fee: $25,000Unit Count: 370+<a href="https://order.twistedsugar.com/twisted-sugar-franchise-info?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Twisted Sugar</a>Initial Investment: $123,330 to $234,600Franchise Fee:&nbsp;??$35,000Unit Count: 17+<a href="https://dirtydoughcookies.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dirty Dough</a>Initial Investment: $160,600 to $385,000Franchise Fee: $27,500Unit Count: 300+<h3>The Cookie Industry Giant Is Hard to Beat</h3>While Crumbl’s competitors have had varying degrees of success, with some experiencing impressive growth, Crumbl still seems to reign supreme in the gourmet cookie industry. It’ll be interesting to watch as new, emerging brands and established competitors alike continue to fight for a top spot in consumer’s minds and social media feeds as marketing strategies continue to evolve.Are you interested in learning more about franchising in the dessert industry? Check out these stories and resources:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-edible-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2724639#most-recent-stories">Franchise Deep Dive: Edible Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935#most-recent-stories">Unraveling Franchise Earnings: How Much Can You Really Make?</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/crumbl-cookies-reigning-supreme-in-the-gourmet-cookie-franchise-market-2724633#most-recent-stories">Crumbl Cookies: Reigning Supreme In the Gourmet Cookie Franchise Market</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-42-best-franchises-to-buy-and-own-in-2024-2724991#most-recent-stories">The 42 Best Franchises To Buy and Own in 2024</a></li><li><a href="https://1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how-2725261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1851 Growth Club</a></li></ul>

Crumbl Cookies' Success with Strategic Social Media Use

1851 Franchise

Crumbl has experienced rapid growth since it was founded in 2017, thanks to its clever social media marketing efforts. The brand now has 918 locations and over seven million TikTok followers.

Crumbl Cookies Is Dominating the Cookie Franchise Market: Here’s How

crumbl-cookies-is-dominating-the-cookie-franchise-market-heres-how

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Stands Out Among Other Children’s Education, Childcare, and Daycare Franchises

how-childrens-lighthouse-stands-out-among-other-childrens-education-childcare-and-daycare-franchises

The Growth Coach

The Growth Coach Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-growth-coach-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Why One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Sees People as the Power Behind Franchise Growth

one-hour-heating-air-conditioning-franchise-growth

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Crumbl Cookies Is Dominating the Cookie Franchise Market: Here’s How

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS