Cookies By Design
Cookies By Design franchises retail shops that produce and sell decorated cookies, gourmet cookies, fanciful cookie arrangements, and related products like cupcakes and candies to the general public. Shops are typically 1,200-1,400 square feet, located in or near shopping malls, strip centers, or urban storefronts, following a proprietary system with specific recipes, designs, operations manuals, and standards. The business model involves single-unit franchises, optional satellites/kiosks, or multi-unit area development, targeting everyday retail consumers.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty + up to 3% ad fund + $500/yr POS maintenance fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Cookies By Design Compares to Other Coffee & Bakery Franchises
Key Insights
- One of the lowest investment costs in Coffee & Bakery (ranked #3 of 37)
- Higher than average SBA loan default rate in Coffee & Bakery
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cookies By Design Current | $160K - $345K | $30K | 6.0% | 37 |
| PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ | $633K - $4.9M | $35K | 5.0% | 1,112 |
| SCOOTER'S COFFEE | $955K - $1.5M | $40K | 6.0% | 825 |
| NOTHING BUNDT CAKES | $667K - $1.0M | $45K | 6.0% | 643 |
| GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES | $341K - $463K | $25K | 6.0% | 395 |
| 7 BREW | $894K - $2.2M | $35K | 4.5% | 297 |
Coffee & Bakery Average 37 franchises | $498K - $1.1M | $40K | 5.5% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 37 Coffee & Bakery franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+12 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Cookies By Design franchisees (2017 - 2024)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Former franchisees alleging violations of the FTC Franchise Rule and Texas Business Opportunity Act, breach of contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and related claims against the predecessor franchisor.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
Cosi, Inc. and subsidiaries (where officers/directors Andrew Berger and David Polonitza served) filed Chapter 11 in September 2016 (plan effective May 2017) and February 2020 (plan effective August 2022).
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Cookies By Design franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Cookies By Design franchise ranges from $160,000 to $345,000. This includes a franchise fee of $30,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How many Cookies By Design franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Cookies By Design has 37 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2007.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Cookies By Design franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Cookies By Design franchises. Historical data shows 4 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Cookies By Design franchisees, with an average loan amount of $206,000. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is Cookies By Design a good franchise to buy?
Cookies By Design shows several positive indicators: low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in Cookies By Design?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if Cookies By Design is the right fit for you.
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