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

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise in a snapshot

Number of franchisees

?

354
+
-4%
-4%
Investment required

?

$110,000 - $512,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

$525,000
Undisclosed
Pro
+
n.a.
+
xx%
-xx%
n.a.
Initial franchise fee

?

$25,000
Royalty fees

?

6.00%
+
4.00%
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Pro
Franchisees

?

354
+
-4%
-4%
Investment required

?

$110,000 - $512,000
Franchise fee

?

$25,000
Royalty fees

?

6.00%
+
4.00%
Revenue (AUV)

?

$525,000
Undisclosed
Pro
+
n.a.
+
xx%
-xx%
n.a.
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Pro

Great American Cookies: Setting the Standard in Gourmet Cookie Delights

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

Franchise Disclosure Document

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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

Franchise
Units
Growth
Initial fee
Investment
Revenue
Gross Profit
Operating Profit
Industry

354

+
-4%
-4%
No growth
New

$25,000

$110,000

-

$512,000

n.a.

$525,000

Pro

74.7%

Pro

n.a.

Pro

Food & Beverage

Number of units

2023
Franchised units

368

368

354

Company-owned units

0

0

0

Total units

368

368

354

Competitors

Aunt Millies Bakeries

Investment required
$37,000
-
$186,000
Number of franchises
154
+
-7%
-7%

Philly Pretzel Factory

Investment required
$135,000
-
$407,000
Number of franchises
146
+
-3%
-3%

Tous les Jours

Investment required
$718,000
-
$939,000
Number of franchises
83
+
34%
34%

Shipley Do-Nuts

Investment required
$496,000
-
$1,029,000
Number of franchises
337
+
2%
2%

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