Create a free account to access this table
Sign up for free
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
2,500+ franchises
Access our entire database: 2,500+ US franchises, updated every day
Essential financial data
Royalty fees, franchise fees, investment costs and more
View 1 FDD
Our free plan allows you to access 1 FDD. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to download

Great American Cookies

Home
Food & Beverage
Baked Goods

Great American Cookies

Great American Cookies Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Great American Cookies is a cookie and dessert franchise that offers a wide assortment of freshly baked cookies, brownies, and cookie cakes, providing delicious and indulgent treats for all occasions.

Great American Cookies, famous for its delectable range of gourmet cookies and the iconic Cookie Cake, was founded in 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. Inspired by a cherished family chocolate chip cookie recipe, the franchise revolutionized gourmet cookie sales within shopping centers nationwide. The franchising journey of the chain began in 1978.

Starting with a single store and a treasured recipe, Great American Cookies expanded its presence in malls across the United States. The product line grew to include an assortment of cookies, brownies, and their signature Cookie Cake, establishing the brand as a leader in the snack food industry.

The brand's philosophy centers not on becoming the largest cookie company but on baking the finest cookies possible. This dedication to quality and exceptional service has propelled Great American Cookies to the forefront of the snack food market.

Each cookie and brownie is made from meticulously tested recipes and premium ingredients sourced from their batter facility in Atlanta, Georgia, ensuring top-notch quality in every bite.

As a member of the FAT Brands Family, Great American Cookies has extended its reach to Bahrain, Guam, and Saudi Arabia. The franchise continues to delight customers worldwide, inviting them to enjoy the simple pleasure that comes with a perfectly baked cookie.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Great American Cookies offers 4 types of franchises:

Franchise Option Initial Investment
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES Traditional Restaurant $282,500 to $412,150
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES Non-Traditional Restaurant $195,800 to $337,150
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES Satellite $110,350 to $211,811
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES-MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY co-brand restaurant $385,185 to $512,135

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Great American Cookies-Marble Slab Creamery Standard Co-Brand Restaurant Franchise.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Great American Cookies-Marble Slab Creamery Standard Co-Brand Restaurant Franchise

Type of Expenditure Amount
Franchise Fee $25,000
Grand Opening Marketing $3,000 - $5,000
Traveling and Living Expenses While Training $2,000 - $5,000
Opening Inventory $15,635 - $19,135
Architectural Fees $8,750 - $12,500
Furniture, fixtures, equipment, and decor $155,000 - $205,000
Signs $7,500 - $14,500
Prepaid rent and security deposit $2,500 - $5,000
Leasehold improvements $145,000 - $182,000
Utility deposits $2,200 - $3,000
Professional Fees $2,000 - $6,000
Point of Sale Systems (POS) and related technology $7,600 - $14,000
Business licenses, permits, etc. (for first 6 months) $1,500 - $2,500
Insurance (3 months) $2,500 - $3,500
Additional Funds (3 months) $5,000 - $10,000
TOTALS $385,185 - $512,135

Great American Cookies offers 4 types of franchises:

Franchise Option Initial Investment
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES Traditional Restaurant $282,500 to $412,150
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES Non-Traditional Restaurant $195,800 to $337,150
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES Satellite $110,350 to $211,811
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES-MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY co-brand restaurant $385,185 to $512,135

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Great American Cookies-Marble Slab Creamery Standard Co-Brand Restaurant Franchise.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Great American Cookies-Marble Slab Creamery Standard Co-Brand Restaurant Franchise

Type of Expenditure Amount
Franchise Fee $25,000
Grand Opening Marketing $3,000 - $5,000
Traveling and Living Expenses While Training $2,000 - $5,000
Opening Inventory $15,635 - $19,135
Architectural Fees $8,750 - $12,500
Furniture, fixtures, equipment, and decor $155,000 - $205,000
Signs $7,500 - $14,500
Prepaid rent and security deposit $2,500 - $5,000
Leasehold improvements $145,000 - $182,000
Utility deposits $2,200 - $3,000
Professional Fees $2,000 - $6,000
Point of Sale Systems (POS) and related technology $7,600 - $14,000
Business licenses, permits, etc. (for first 6 months) $1,500 - $2,500
Insurance (3 months) $2,500 - $3,500
Additional Funds (3 months) $5,000 - $10,000
TOTALS $385,185 - $512,135

Great American Cookies

2023

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

To prepare franchisees for success, Great American Cookies offers an extensive training program. This program equips franchisees with the essential knowledge and skills to operate their establishments in line with the brand's high standards.

Key Aspects of the Training Program:

Operational Techniques: Franchisees are trained in efficient restaurant management practices.

Equipment Training: The program includes comprehensive training on the use and maintenance of all necessary equipment.

Computer Training: Franchisees receive instruction on the relevant computer hardware and software for managing orders, inventory, and other critical tasks.

In-Restaurant Training: The training program features hands-on sessions in a real restaurant environment to complement theoretical knowledge.

Employee Training: Franchisees learn how to train their staff to ensure the entire team adheres to the brand's standards.

Ongoing Training: Great American Cookies provides continuous operational training to keep franchisees updated with the latest standards and practices.

Territory Protection

Franchisees of Great American Cookies are not granted exclusive territories. Under the Multi-Unit Restaurant Agreement, franchisees have the right to develop and operate a specified number of restaurants within a designated Development Area, either on a "Non-exclusive" basis or a "Protected Rights" basis.

For those with non-exclusive arrangements, no territorial exclusivity is provided. The franchisor retains the right to own, operate, and franchise additional stores under the "GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES®" brand or any other related trademarks at any location.

The Development Area and the associated rights are non-exclusive, allowing the franchisor to conduct business activities under any name and in any area, irrespective of the proximity to the franchisee's location.

Competitors

Below are some of

Great American Cookies

key competitors in the

Baked Goods

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

354

New
+
-4%
-4%

$25,000

$110,000

$512,000

n.a.

$525,000

$xxx,xxx

74.7%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Al Manakeesh

Al Manakeesh is a Middle Eastern bakery-restaurant brand offering manakeesh flatbreads, shawarma, and Lebanese specialties, serving neighborhood diners and families, and known for freshly baked dough, traditional flavors, and casual, counter-service settings that highlight Levantine comfort food.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$261,000 - $403,000

Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant

Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant is a quick‐service franchise offering Caribbean-style patties, rotis, rice dishes and meals, serving diaspora communities and casual diners, and known for signature flavors, cultural brand heritage and growing franchise network.

Franchisees

?

101
+
-6%
-6%
Investment

?

$213,000 - $776,000

MidnighTreats

MidnighTreats is a late-night food-truck or small-format franchise offering waffles, desserts and sweet-snacks on-demand, serving late-night crowds, event patrons, and dessert lovers, and known for mobile flexibility, viral menu appeal and lean startup model.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$133,000 - $296,000

Schmackary's

Schmackary’s is a gourmet cookie-and‐dessert franchise offering handmade cookies, ice cream sandwiches, and specialty treats, serving dessert lovers and gift buyers, and known for bold flavors, urban brand presence and experiential retail-tainment.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$267,000 - $657,000

BAGEL BOSS

BAGEL BOSS is a bagel-and-deli franchise offering New York–style bagels, breakfast sandwiches, deli items and coffee, serving morning commuters and families, and known for authentic bagel craft, strong local presence and franchise scalability.

Franchisees

?

18
+
64%
64%
Investment

?

$510,000 - $1,175,000

House of Bread

House of Bread is a bakery-café franchise offering freshly baked artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches and café meals, serving families and casual diners, and known for hand-crafted baking, community-driven brand and multi-stream revenue.

Franchisees

?

5
+
25%
25%
Investment

?

$198,000 - $584,000

Our latest newsletters

Franchising 101

Is This Franchise the Right Fit for You?

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.

Franchisee Validation: Interviews, Reference Checking, Site Visits

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.

How to Evaluate a Franchise Opportunity (Industry, Brand Strength, Market Fit)

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.

Building a Franchise Business Plan & Pro Forma Financials

December 15, 2025
Costs, Fees and Financing

A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.