For the most up-to-date financial information, check out our latest FDD Talk post analyzing Great American Cookies’ average revenues, expenses, and/or profits.

In this FDD Talk post, you’ll learn the following:

• Section I – Background information on the Great American Cookies franchise opportunity, including relevant news updates

• Section II – Estimated initial investment for a Great American Cookies franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2020 FDD

• Section III – Initial franchise fee, royalty fee, marketing fee, and other fees for a Great American Cookies franchise, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2020 FDD

• Section IV – Number of franchised and company-owned Great American Cookies outlets at the start of the year and the end of the year for 2017, 2018, and 2019, based on Item 20 of the company’s 2020 FDD

• Section V – Presentation and analysis of Great American Cookies’ financial performance representations, based on Item 19 of the company’s 2020 FDD, including information on the:

• 2019 average and median net sales, costs of goods sold, labor costs, and rent for the 214 Great American Cookies Traditional Stores that (a) continuously operated over the entire Measurement Period, and (b) are not co-branded with another concept or supplemented with a Satellite

• 2019 average, median, highest, and lowest net sales (overall and by quartile) for the 41 Great American Cookies-Marble Slab Creamery Co-Brand Stores that (a) had been continuously in operation for the entire Measurement Period, (b) were not supplemented with a Satellite, and (c) provided Great American Cookies with the presented financial information for the full Measurement Period in a timely manner for inclusion in Item 19

• 2019 average and median net sales broken down by brand for the 41 Stores that initially commenced operating as either a Great American Cookies or Marble Slab Creamery Store and then added on the other brand to become a Co-Brand Store, and the 29 Stores that initially commenced operating as a Co-Brand Store (separately stated)

Section I – Background Information

22 Things You Need to Know About the Great American Cookies Franchise

Introduces a First of Its Kind Unified Co-Brand Experience with Sister Brand Marble Slab Creamery

1.  In mid-May 2020, Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery introduced a new cohesive brand vision and co-brand experience filled with imagination and wonder. The strategy brings the iconic concepts together in one delicious destination – a wonderland for those who crave fresh-baked cookies and homemade ice cream. The first store featuring the integrated branding is now open in Columbia, South Carolina (only curbside pick-up and delivery were being offered at the time due to COVID-19).

2.  The new Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery experience was crafted with storytelling and a heightened sense of “food theater” in mind. Parent company Global Franchise Group, partnered with nationally recognized brand consultancy and creative agency, Sterling-Rice Group to conceptualize the vision.

3.  Jenn Johnston, chief brand officer and president of franchise operations for Global Franchise Group, said, “We have created a cohesive, complimentary and unbelievably unique vision for our Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery co-brand locations. While incredibly popular and distinctive on their own, we know these two legacy brands are irresistible coupled together. The experience is completely integrated from the moment you step in the door, to when you take your first bite. This is monumental and game changing in our industry – we are taking co-branding to the next level.”

4.  This is the second time Global Franchise Group has worked with Sterling-Rice Group to modernize and elevate its brand portfolio. Together, they introduced a full rebranding for Round Table Pizza in 2019 centered around “Pizza Royalty.” With mantras like “Home of the Original Cookie Cake” and “Imagination Has No Limits,” the unified in-store experience encourages guests to indulge their sweet senses and to “just imagine, the sweet spot – a place where you can have it all!”

5.  Liz Seelye, managing director of brand innovation for Sterling-Rice Group, added, “History is full of famous duos who are better together, but there aren’t many successful co-branded concepts in the restaurant space. Thanks to insights gleaned with guests and franchisees, we rediscovered what makes each brand unique. Then we strengthened the bond between them to create a more effective operations platform, a more compelling offering, an even more powerful brand promise.”

6.  Nostalgic favorites are served side-by-side innovations like Create Your Own Cookie Shakes, Ice Cream Double Doozies, and Cookie and Cheesecake Brownie Sundaes. The “Unlimited Mix-Ins” Marble Slab Creamery is known for has been reimagined to “Free Mix-Ins” and the customization Great American Cookies is known for now extends to all cakes and cookies. Store signage and exciting, new products encourage sweet Instagram moments for social media engagement.

7.  Cakes are a focal point of the concept with a prominent “Cake Walk” that highlights innovation in Cookie Cake and Ice Cream Cake design. This integrated branding also includes new logos, packaging, and a modernized ethos to retain and attract Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery fans and employees for years to come.

8.  “The new design crafts an integrated, contemporary experience so both brands maintain relevance together and separately,” said Jen Jones, managing partner of design for Sterling-Rice Group. “Now guests can see how the magic happens. The new-to-world store experience highlights fresh-baked cookie and creative ice cream processes from the marble slab counter and mix-in display to the ‘imagination station’ where guests can observe the artistry of cake customization.”

9.  The Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery co-brand locations have been an incredibly successful concept. There are currently 108 co-branded locations across the country, with an additional 38 franchisees set to add-on a concept to an existing store and 33 additional stores set to open as part of Area Development Agreements. The first reimagined store is operated by longtime franchisees Lane and Ryan Griffith and Glen Lax. The store is located at Columbiana Place in Columbia, South Carolina.

Introduces New Brand Vision and Store Design

10.  At the end of August 2020, Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery introduced new brand visions, logos, packaging, and store designs filled with modern imagination and energy. The bright futures of two of America’s favorite destinations for sweet treats and celebrations were debuted on the brands’ websites and their respective social media channels. The excitement of the reveals was captured in launch highlight videos on the brands’ YouTube channels.

11.  The inspiration for the rebranding of Great American Cookies centers around “The Sweet Spot.” Great American Cookies believes that pure, simple delight is part of living a full life and the brand promises to treat customers to bites of bliss that prove how sweet life can be. The next chapter in Great American Cookies’ timeless place in history features a vibrant, fun-filled ambiance where everyday elements tempt your sweet tooth and elevate your mood.

12.  Cookie Cakes shine in the new store design and the mantra “Home of the Original Cookie Cake” is front and center reminding customers of the brand’s claim to fame. A Cookie Cake design station is also a focal point highlighting the many flavor and design customizations available. Great American Cookies recently introduced new Letter and Number Double Doozie Cakes which are proving popular with customers.

13.  “Just Imagine” is the driving motto behind the new Marble Slab Creamery experience. Marble Slab Creamery believes in the transformative power of imagination and promises to inspire with infinite possibilities to feed curiosity and capture cravings. Signage like “Imagination Has No Limits” is found in the new store design encouraging customers to take full advantage of the brand’s “Free Mix-Ins” promise, or dream-up a customized shake. Ice Cream Cakes are also a prominent feature. Many locations will feature a “Cake Walk” that highlights innovation in cake design and options.

14.  Both new store designs were conceptualized with food theater front and center. Bright colors and playful signage, packaging, and uniforms encourage social media moments and elevate the customer experience. All new store construction and remodels will be required to feature the new branding and design going forward.

E-Commerce Program Now Benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

15.  In early May 2020, Great American Cookies announced that its e-commerce program now supports The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as it provides urgent support for blood cancer patients who are at a higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19. $2 from every sale of the new Cookie Decorating Kits and Cookie Gift Boxes go to support LLS’s mission and quest to cure blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to the lifesaving treatments they need. All items are baked the day they ship guaranteeing the delivery of fresh treats perfect for at-home celebrations and everyday enjoyment.

16.  The New Cookie Decorating Kits come with everything you need to enjoy decorating your favorite Great American Cookies with family or friends including 6 chocolate chip cookies (3 heart shaped and 3 flower shaped) with bags of assorted colored icing, decorative sugar, sprinkles, and Mini M&M’s. All baking and packaging takes place at Great American Cookies’ innovation center facility in Atlanta.

17.  Great American Cookies has a longstanding relationship with LLS and along with the Global Franchise Group family of brands (Marble Slab Creamery, Pretzelmaker, Hot Dog on a Stick, and Round Table Pizza) has raised more than $2.7 million for the organization through its annual “A Bite for the Fight” fundraising program.

Company History

18.  Great American Cookies was founded in 1977 by Michael Coles and his business partner Arthur Karp in Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, Georgia. The business partners each invested $4,000 to develop a business selling cookies based on a chocolate chip cookie recipe passed down to Karp from his grandmother. Despite the skepticism that a cookie store could be successful, the first Great American Cookies location was a hit and it is still in operation today.

19.  To build on this success, Coles and Karp began franchising the Great American Cookies concept in 1978. By the mid-1980s, Great American Cookies had revenues of $100 million per year and was the largest retail cookie chain in the United States. Over the next decade, Great American Cookies continued to grow under Coles’ and Karp’s leadership.

20.  In 1998, Coles and Karp sold Great American Cookies to Mrs. Fields Famous Brands. A decade later, Great American Cookies was sold to NexCen Brands Inc. for its Quick Service Restaurant portfolio, which included sister companies Marble Slab Creamery, MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream & Treatery, and Pretzelmaker. Then, in 2010, NexCen and its Quick Service Restaurant portfolio were acquired by Global Franchise Group.

21.  Today, there is a mix of solo-branded Great American Cookies locations as well as co-branded locations with MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream & Treatery and Marble Slab Creamery.

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500

22.  Great American Cookies did not rank on Entrepreneur’s 2021 Franchise 500 list.

Section II – Estimated Costs

• Please click here for detailed estimates of Great American Cookies franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2020 FDD.

Section III – Initial Franchise Fee, Royalty Fee, Marketing Fee, and Other Fees

• Please click here for detailed information on Great American Cookies’ initial franchise fee, royalty fee, marketing fee, and other fees, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2020 FDD.

Section IV – Number of Franchised and Company-Owned Outlets

Franchised

2017

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  349
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  359
• Net Change:  +10

2018

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  359
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  368
• Net Change:  +9

2019

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  368
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  377
• Net Change:  +9

Company-Owned

2017

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  0
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  0
• Net Change:  0

2018

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  0
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  0
• Net Change:  0

2019

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  0
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  0
• Net Change:  0

Section V – Financial Performance Representations (Item 19, 2020 FDD) and Analysis

Part 1 – Financial Information for Single-Brand Stores

• The data below presents historical revenue and limited expense information for the Measurement Period defined below for certain franchised Stores. The expenses listed below do not reflect any start-up expenses that you may incur.

• In the chart below in this Part 1, Great American Cookies discloses the average and median net sales generated during the period beginning December 30, 2018, and ending December 28, 2019 (the “Measurement Period”) for the 214 Traditional Stores that (a) continuously operated over the entire Measurement Period, and (b) are not co-branded with another concept or supplemented with a Satellite.

• In addition to this net sales data, the table below in this Part 1 discloses the average and median of certain costs incurred over the Measurement Period by the 214 Traditional Stores that: (i) met the conditions discussed in subparts (a) and (b) of the prior paragraph; and (ii) reported their respective cost information to Great American Cookies in time for such information to be included in this Item.

Overall Sample