Post on 14-Jan-2017
This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a
franchise. It is for information purposes only. We are providing the United States FDD at your
request, and as a condition to receiving this FDD, you acknowledge that we are not representing
that the contents of the FDD will apply in any manner to our international franchise relationship,
including but not limited to any financial performance representations set forth in the FDD.
Your country of interest may have individual franchise disclosure requirements. If we elect to
engage in further sales discussions, we will fully comply with the franchise disclosure
requirements as required by law in your country/territory of interest.
INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISING OPPORTUNITIES WITH GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES
BRAND OVERVIEW OF GREAT AMERICAN COOKIESWelcome to the Great American Cookies
Franchise Discovery Process. We have
carefully designed this exploration to allow
you to evaluate our opportunity and
determine if we are a fit to achieve your
professional and personal goals. In the first
section, we will provide you with an
overview of the opportunity and process.
PROCESS OVERVIEWThis section is designed to:
Provide Answers Questions about the Great
American Cookies Franchise Opportunity
Brand Attributes and Menu Highlights
The Great American Cookies International
Program Elements and Support
Address Key Elements to be a Great
American Cookies Master Franchisee
International Master Franchisee Profile
Next Steps
Great American Cookies History
Founded in 1977 on the strength of an old family
chocolate chip cookie recipe, Great American
Cookies® has set the standard for gourmet cookie
sales in a fun, celebratory environment. For over
30 years, Great American Cookies has maintained
the heritage and integrity of its products by
producing proprietary cookie dough exclusively
from its plant in Atlanta. Great American Cookies is
known for its signature Cookie Cakes, trademark
flavors and menu of delectable products baked
fresh in store.
Franchising w i t hGreat American Cookies
Great American Cookies is owned by Global Franchise Group, which is
a strategic brand management company with a focus on franchising.
Global Franchise Group (GFG) owns a portfolio of franchise brands that
includes quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise concepts:
Great American Cookies®, MaggieMoo's®, Marble Slab Creamery®,
Pretzelmaker®, and Hot Dog on a Stick™
We currently support Master Franchisees operating in Bahrain, Guam,
Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
Mission: We champion brands and the people who build them
Franchising w i t hGreat American Cookies
Because Global Franchise Group, LLC is one of
the world’s leading brand management companies,
we understand the importance of supporting all our
franchisees in every way possible.
This deep commitment and passion for our brands
is the reason for building GFG University, ensuring
every franchisee in our brand portfolio has a level
of expertise and confidence from day one of
ownership. It takes hard work and devotion to run
a profitable business, and GFG University offers
state-of-the-art technology for initial and ongoing
training, programs and support.
The Oppor tun i tyGreat American Cookies takes pride in being the “Home of The Original Cookie Cake”. We
were the 1st cookie franchise in the United States; in fact, we’ve been manufacturing our dough in
the same plant for more than 30 years. Our original chocolate chip cookie recipe was created by
the grandmother of one of our founders. This proprietary recipe is still the basis of our cookies
today. We want you to share in the fun with us!
The Menu Everything we make here is fresh! In addition to our super premium, fresh baked cookies and brownies, we offer Cookie Cakes for life’s celebrations.
All of our Cookies and Brownies begin with carefully tested recipes, highly controlled production and the finest ingredients from our batter facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Each of our premium treats is handcrafted and baked fresh daily in your local Great American Cookies store
From our signature Cookie Cakes to our deliciously rich Brownies, Great American Cookies takes the time to do it right. The end results are the finest fresh-baked products right in your neighborhood – perfect for every occasion and celebration.
Cookie Flavor Profiles: Original
Chocolate Chip, Original with M&M’s
candies, Double Fudge, Chewy
Chocolate Supreme, Oatmeal Walnut
Raisin, Peanut Butter with M*M’s
candies, Peanut Butter Supreme, Pecan
Supreme, Snickerdoodle, Sugar, White
Chunk Macadamia
* Available in Regular Sized Cookies,
Colossal Cookies, Double Doozie
Cookies, Big Bite, and Big Bite Double
Doozie Cookies, and Specialty Cookies
The Core Menu
Brownie Flavors: Fudge Brownie, Fudge-nut, Cheesecake Chocolate Swirl, Cheesecake
Strawberry Swirl, German Chocolate, Red Velvet, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and Domino
Cookie Cakes: Original Chocolate Chip, Sugar, Double Fudge, or Oatmeal
The Core Menu
Advantages of theGreat American Cookies Brand
Providing high quality and superior products
Ownership of the supply-chain
Freshly baked Cookie Cakes and cookies from proprietary recipes
Innovator and leader of signature Cookie Cakes
Leader in mall-based cookie system
Fun environment
Easy to operate
Creating fond memoriesTrademark flavors
US Brand recognition
Primarilyfamilies with
pre-teen children Women
18-34
Mall employees
Target Audience
Unique Different iators
Home of the Original Cookie Cake
Freshly baked cookies and Cookie Cakes from a proprietary recipe
Online Cookie Cake ordering available
All cookie doughmanufactured in Atlanta
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Ma s t e r P r o g r a m E le me n t s
Our International Master Franchise program at Great American Cookies works to connect each Master to the brand resources in disciplines including:
- Real estate, site selection criteria, design, and site layout
- Marketing and Public Relations
- International logistics, local sourcing, and supply planning
- Start up and ongoing operations expertise and support
Tips for team training on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty
Marketing support, calendar of events and ongoing key brand building initiatives
Operations training including: P&L management, cost of goods and labor controls
International market launch expertise
Franchise Support
The opportunity to network with experienced peers
Unparalleled franchisee training and support through GFG University
Ongoing access to our expertise and materials in the areas of: Business Development, Site Selection and Leasing, Construction, Purchasing, Training, Store Operations,Quality Control, Promotions, Marketing,Research and Development
Marketing Calendar
Great American Cookies provides a yearly national calendar.
International Masters have access to the current calendar as well as the library of past promotions that they can explore for use in their local market
This allows for customization of promotions on a local level
Local Marketing Ki ts
Great American Cookies provides step- by-step toolkits for local store marketing initiatives to support:
National Promotions
Fundraising
Business-to-Business Sales
These toolkits include customizable marketing materials that franchiseescan produce locally.
Social Media
Great American Cookies utilizes Facebook,
Twitter and YouTube to engage and interact
with our customers. We talk to our current
promotions and contests, driving brand
awareness. Social media allows real time
dialogue with our customers.
Instagram Total Followers: 9,869
Twitter Total Followers: 4,474
Facebook Total Audience: 350,600 Avg. Daily Page Impressions: 312,438
Training 4 days of platform (in-store) training on operational execution of business
5 days of classroom training on operations, marketing, finance, etc.
Business and operational tools for owners
Modules facilitated by content experts
Ongoing education and development
Engaging, interactive, high tech/high touch
The Kitchen
INNOVATIONInnovative New Products Value Engineering Quality Assurance Vendor Partnership
OVERVIEW OF MANUFACTURING
Proprietary Products GAC Cookie Dough Private Label Production Vertically IntegratedProduction at 30% Capacity Built-In Supply Chain Competitive Cost of goods
Suppor t Center
The Great American Cookies brand has dedicated Research and Development Support focused on:
Exploring trends in the marketplace
Continually revolutionizing our fresh baked products
New product innovations and ensuring each product is taken through an extensive process to:
A state-of-the-art Innovation Lab that provides the foundation for this innovation
Validate operational procedures in- store along with all other day-to-day activities
Understand consumer demand and the products impact on store salesand product mix before a national launch
Expert International Support Great American Cookies is part of a portfolio of brands that has a proven track record of supporting over 1,100 franchised units in over 20 countries.
We offer a dedicated International Director who functions as the direct line into each brand and is your point of contact.
Provide internationally specific Market Launch services that are designed to help you realize the first unit opening are:
- Professional New Master Onboarding - New Market Launch Project Management- Supply Chain and Logistics Planning- Operations Support and Consulting- Product Approvals and Local Sourcing Expertise
How does Great American Cookies assist me in opening the f irst unit in my market?
Market Launch Planning- The A to Z plan of how we will transfer the brand “Know How” to you and the countdown of activities that lead up to the first unit opening
Supply Chain Planning- Working with each Master Franchisee group on establishing a targeted local sourcing plan in order to reduce import costs where applicable from the first unit
Onsite start up and training of the first unit
What kind of support can I expect after I open the first unit?
Ongoing Operational consultation from the first unit until the 100th unit in regards to front line operations and cost improvement initiatives
Continued marketing and brand building consultation to assist you in the growing the brand through the introduction until maturity
Franchise sales and development- how to set up your market for success when you are ready to start soliciting your own sub franchisees
Where to bake
Site SelectionGreat American Cookies is seeking locations in primary and secondary markets that have the below Site Criteria:
Site Criteria- Location type is a Mall and Lifestyle centers
Minimum 60,000 population within a 10 mile radiusMinimum 200 SF (19SM) for kiosks and 600 SF (56SM) for inline locations which can be up to 1100 SF (111SM)
Large Anchors
Near Kid’s Concepts
Locations in line with foot traffic
Outside of the food court or end cap of a food court
Target VenuesRegional Malls:
Kiosk Inline End-cap
Large Lifestyle Centers:
Pedestrian Driven
Inline
Entertainment
Airports
Entertainment Complexes
Tourist Destinations
Transportation Hubs
A typical Traditional Store requiresbetween 400 and 1,000 square feet of space (37- 93 square meters).
A typical modular, prefabricated Non-Traditional Store will use between 400 and 800 square feet of space (37-74 SM).
A typical Satellite will use between 50 and 150 square feet (5-15 SM) in a shopping center or venue, but also will require a Traditional Store or Non-Traditional Store to bake cookies in
Real Estate Considerations
Site Characteristics to consider:
Demographics
Co-Tenancy
Traffic (drive and walk)
Accessibility
Visibility
Competition Analysis
There will be an experienced domestic real estate professional available to help you with the following:
Site Selection
Site Evaluation
Demographics and Market
Analysis
Appealing Store Designs On Mall:Requirements: • Between 400 and 1,000 square feet of
space (37- 93 square meters)• Plumbing and electrical provided• Baking is done on-site
Appealing Store Designs Non- Traditional - KioskRequirements: • Between 400 and 800 square feet of space (37-74 SM) • Proximate plumbing and electrical lines• Ancillary storage space recommended • Baking done on site or off site
Appealing Store Designs SatelliteRequirements: • Between 50 and 150 square feet (5-15 SM) • Requires an On Mall or Non Traditional baking
unit to provide product to the Satellite
A Sweet Oppo rtu ni t y
International Master Franchisee Profi le
We are looking for business people who successfully operate similar businesses in their
country of interest with the ability to grow quickly via self development and sub-franchising
Successful Master Franchisees
often operate other food /retail
concepts and have experience
with other franchise concepts
Has a dedicated, English
speaking staff on the ground in
the country/territory where they
wish to operate
Financial Stability with a net
work of a minimum of $300K
USD in liquid assets
Master Franchisee candidate
will be heavily involved in the
business and act as the “Brand
Champion” within their
organization
Candidate has ability to
negotiate with landlords of
appropriate real estate to
gain sites for market
development
Charac ter is t i cs o f an Idea l Market fo r In terna t iona l Franch is ing
Product offering is attractive to local clientele
Products can be sold at local price points
Availability of appropriate real estate in the market to support growth
No import restrictions on key brand commodities such as dairy, wheat, sugar, chocolate etc.
Political and banking stability in the market to access and pay in U.S. dollars
Next Steps
Complete the International Request for Consideration
Continue discovery discussions with the International Director on the inputs to complete your business plan
Receive terms from Great American Cookies via Letter of Intent (LOI)
Complete and refine your business plan based on the mutually agreed upon business terms
Thank you for completing your review of the Great American Cookies Virtual Brochure! We look forward to working with you towards joining our franchisee team!