After Opening 14 Locations in 2020, Great American Cookies is Poised to Cross the 300-Unit Mark by 2022

Great American Cookies®, the gourmet cookie and Cookie Cake concept with more than four decades of bringing smiles to guests, has proven itself to be not only pandemic-proof but a dominant force in the dessert industry, 

While COVID-19 put a strain on the food service industry, Great American Cookies managed to sign 20 new agreements in 2020, as franchisees clamored to get a piece of the Great American cookie-cake pie. 

With its sights set on continued franchise development, the fun and celebratory cookie brand is on track to open another 31 new locations this year, crossing the 300-unit mark by the end of 2022.

“Despite increased competition in the gourmet cookie space, Great American Cookies remains the largest cookie concept in the US,” said Jenn Johnston, president and chief brand officer of FAT Brands, Quick Service Restaurant Division , the multi-brand franchisor behind Great American Cookies. “Nearing its 50th anniversary, the brand is a powerhouse in the industry because consumers recognize and trust the name, and they equate Great American Cookies with celebratory moments in their lives.” 

In addition to benefiting from the brand’s strong customer recognition, franchisees have the added bonus of a 37,000-square-foot production facility in Georgia to help support the production of cookie dough that is then shipped directly to franchisees. Without the need to create dough on-site, the brand has the ability to operate out of relatively small, inexpensive footprints in high-traffic areas. 

“The Great American Cookies model has proven to be not only flexible but extremely resilient,” said Johnston. “It’s a concept that thrives in a variety of build-outs and locations across the country, and this adaptability has been the key to its continued growth and success.” 

It’s a model that also pairs perfectly with other concepts within the FAT Brands brand portfolio. In 2015, the company launched its first co-branded store concept with sister brand Marble Slab Creamery*®. Offering the perfect fusion of hand-mixed ice cream and premium cookies, including creative ice cream sandwiches, the co-branded store model has exploded to include 145 locations nationwide. 

“Co-branding Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery has become the largest growth vehicle for both brands,” said Johnston. “It is the first time in restaurant franchise history that there’s been an integrated co-brand experience where the two businesses truly complement each other, not only leveraging their audiences but also combining their menus to create something new and special.” 

As prime retail space made vacant by the closure of other brands continues to sit untouched, the surplus in affordable real estate offers key opportunities for the brand to expand its reach in new, high-value markets across the country. 

The company is currently targeting expansion in markets across the country. Startup costs range from $301,400 to $469,150. Learn more about franchise opportunities here: https://www.greatamericancookiesfranchise.com/. 

About Great American Cookies®: 

Founded in 1977 on the strength of an old family Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, Great American Cookies has set the standard for gourmet Cookie sales in a fun, celebratory environment. For over 40 years, Great American Cookies has maintained the heritage and integrity of its products by producing proprietary Cookie dough exclusively from its plant in Atlanta. Great American Cookies is known for its signature Cookie Cakes, trademark flavors and menu of delectable products baked fresh in-store. Great American Cookies currently operates in locations across the United States, as well as internationally in Bahrain, Guam, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. For more information about Great American Cookies and store locations, visit www.greatamericancookies.com, follow Great American Cookies' national Twitter handle, @Gr8AmCookies, or become a fan of the brand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greatamericancookies.