GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES
Great American Cookies franchises retail restaurants specializing in selling fresh-baked cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and related food items and beverages under the GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES brand. Franchisees can operate traditional or non-traditional restaurants, satellites, multi-unit developments, or co-branded locations such as with Marble Slab Creamery, following a standardized system with proprietary recipes and ingredients supplied by affiliates. The business targets consumers in high-traffic venues like malls, shopping centers, airports, and other non-traditional sites seeking indulgent baked treats.
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 + 2% ad fund (3% non-mall locations) + $70-$125/mo technology support (annual $840-$1,500 mandatory divided by 12)
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 256 franchised Great American Cookies restaurants (standalone and co-branded with Marble Slab Creamery or Pretzelmaker) that were in operation for 12 full months in 2024.
* Estimated profit by subtracting average Food Cost (26.83%) and average Labor Cost (28.44%) from the average Gross Revenue ($539,902). This represents revenue minus the only two explicitly stated operating costs ('food, paper and restaurant level labor' as per page 8). Since no range for average expenses was provided, the low and high profit estimates are the same.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES Compares to Other Coffee & Bakery Franchises
Key Insights
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Coffee & Bakery
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Coffee & Bakery
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES Current | $341K - $463K | $25K | 6.0% | 395 |
| 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 |
| 7 BREW | $894K - $2.2M | $35K | 4.5% | 297 |
| GREAT HARVEST BREAD CO. | $298K - $980K | $35K | 5.0% | 159 |
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
+18 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchisees (2010 - 2025)
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)
Breach of contract, fraud, and rescission disputes related to multi-unit development agreements and franchise sales.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
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 GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchise?
The total initial investment to open a GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchise ranges from $340,500 to $462,650. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchise is $539,902. The median revenue is $509,530.
How much profit can you make with a GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchise?
Based on the financial performance data in the FDD, estimated profit for a GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchise ranges from $241,498.16 to $241,498.16 per year. Actual results vary based on location, management, and market conditions.
How many GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES has 395 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2008.
Can you get an SBA loan for a GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchises. Historical data shows 67 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES franchisees, with an average loan amount of $325,563. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES a good franchise to buy?
GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES shows several positive indicators: established brand with 395+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), 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 GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES?
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