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HOW TO MAKE YOUR COOKIE FRANCHISE

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Even if your cookie franchise is booming, there are always steps you can take to make it even better. This is why it’s key for business owners to stay smart, savvy, and informed throughout their entire franchising journey. The franchise owners who are always trying to improve are the ones who beat out their competition and have a thriving business.

How do you continuously improve your franchise so business is always booming? Look no further! This guide provides you with everything you need to know to make your business even better today and to always keep improving in the future.

How to Succeed in the Cookie IndustryWhen you’re looking to improve your franchise, one of the most important considerations to think about is your competition. For example, cookie stores have changed significantly in the last several years, fueled by new innovations such as the Cookie Cake and Cookie Cups. Great American Cookies has helped to solidify its leadership in the industry by being the first to offer the Cookie Cake and staying ahead of product and promotional trends.

While Great American Cookies is enjoying a stable and comfortable position in the industry, it is very important for franchisees to take action to ensure success in this increasingly competitive industry. So how do you stay ahead of your competition?

OFFER ENTICING MENU ITEMSCookies appeal highly to children, moms, and young adults so franchisees are wise to stay abreast of current trends while seeking out the next big thing. Children and young adults are known to be attracted to new innovations and concepts so stocking the latest snack items will help to draw a crowd and bolster sales. However, maintaining a consistent base of core products is absolutely essential as well. No cookie store would be complete without an incredible chocolate chip cookie that remains consistent.

MASTER SPEED AND EFFICIENCYCustomers that visit a cookie store are usually in the market for instant gratification of their sweet tooth. Whether the customer is five or fifty, taking too long to complete the order can have a serious impact on the customer’s perception of the cookie franchise. Cookie franchisees must maintain a delicate balance to ensure that products are ready to serve while keeping the products as fresh as possible. Franchisees must also pay close attention when hiring and training to impress the sense of urgency upon employees that is so necessary to running a successful cookie franchise.

REINFORCE THE BRAND Recognition of the brand name is crucial to staying on top in the competitive cookie industry. Great American Cookies franchisees have to go the extra mile to put their name out there to stay ahead of some of the competitors that have been around for years. Collaborating with local businesses and schools can helps franchisees reinforce the brand name while opening up new opportunities to generate revenue. Franchisees can also engage in marketing efforts that will help catch the attention of potential customers in the local area that may not know about the store location.

LOCATION CONVENIENCEWhile customers may travel to purchase a Cookie Cake, the majority of a cookie store’s business typically comes from customers that pass by the store. Locations such as malls and large shopping centers are ideal for cookie franchises. Cooperating with surrounding stores and restaurants to create hype may help to encourage customers passing by to stop and smell the cookies.

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7 Tips for Making a Good Cookie Franchise Even BetterOnce you’ve made improvements to overtake your competition, the next step is to evaluate the franchise itself. Where can you improve your business? Are you out of touch with the current trends? Have you deviated from your business model? Do you really know what’s going on with your customers and even your employees? If you don’t know the answer to any of these questions, below are 7 tips to help you make your franchise better today.

1. DO YOUR RESEARCH Before you buy a cookie franchise, make sure you know everything you need

to know, including how much money you’ll need to start and run it, which systems you’ll need to follow based on franchisor requirements, and how to keep your business thriving.

2. UNDERSTAND CURRENT TRENDS What’s hot in your cookie franchise industry? Did your competitor come out

with a new cookie recipe that’s selling like hotcakes? As you encounter the daily tasks needed to run your business, always keep an ear on the ground to keep up with competitors, customers, and the overall business landscape.

3. STICK TO YOUR BUSINESS PLAN The business plan is there for a reason so stick to it! Make sure you’ve set

realistic goals. Check back periodically to make sure you’ve met your goals or that you’re on track to meet them.

4. ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT One of the benefits of a cookie franchise is that the company already

has a business model that works. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help when you find yourself confused or unsure of the best course of action to take.

5. GET THE WORD OUT Some of the most successful businesses are successful because they’ve

done such a good job at marketing. Advertising, marketing, and word-of-mouth are all very powerful tools for building brand and store recognition for your cookie franchise.

6. START SMALL If you’re inexperienced in the cookie franchise industry, avoid jumping the

gun by purchasing several stores at once unless you feel confident that you’re prepared and well-versed. Starting with one store can be a good way to make sure you’re all set and ready for more.

7. LISTEN TO YOUR EMPLOYEES After your customers, your employees are the lifeblood of your business.

Listen to their questions, comments, concerns, and even their whining. Happy employees are better employees and good employees help keep businesses in tip-top shape.

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The Best Advice You Could Ever Get about Running Cookie FranchisesIt takes a tough cookie to run a successful franchise. It’s true that no franchise will be exactly like it’s brethren and that what works for some cookie franchises may not work for others. This is why it’s important to stay flexible and creative throughout the entire process – from the opening of your store to the ten-year mark.

Of course, there are some general tips that owners of cookie franchises can take into account as guidelines to ensure that they’re on a path to personal and financial success. Now that you know some strategies on how to beat your competition and how to improve your franchise internally, what else can you do to keep improving your franchise?

ARM YOURSELF WITH THE BEST EMPLOYEESWhile it’s important to listen to your employees, it’s also important to hire the best employees in the first place. A secret to a successful business is a strong, reliable team. This is why cookie franchise owners should be vigilant about who they choose as their staff. A successful cookie store will offer customers fast, trustworthy service with a smile. When selecting your team, find candidates who express strong work ethic and pay attention to detail. Individuals who can multitask while keeping their calm during a rush or an unexpected hiccup are the best employees for ensuring that a business runs smoothly and overcomes obstacles swiftly.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXPERIMENTCookie Franchises are all about having some fun! Encourage your staff members to be themselves and show a little personality. This benefits everyone as happy staff members create happy customers and happy customers create happy business owners. Experiment with contests, special events, and other ways to get creative and boost your sales while fostering a fun and rewarding environment for employees and customers alike. Find creative new ways to reach out to your customers, grab their attention, and close the sale.

INVEST IN THE NOSTALGIA OF IT ALLGreat American Cookies, and all other cookie franchises for that matter, are positioned on a point of nostalgia to some degree. There’s nothing like a warm, fresh cookie, just like grandma used to make. When customers smell the aroma of your store’s products, they automatically tap into this feeling of nostalgia. Of course, the delicious smell also causes them to tap into the memories of how much they love cookies! When you’re able to leverage this nostalgia in your daily operations, you’re able to enhance the experience for everyone involved.

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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. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Franchise offerings are made by Franchise Disclosure Document only.

1346 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 170, Norcross, GA 30093

770.514.4500 | 800.524.6444

franchiseinfo@gfgmanagement.com

Now you know how to stay smart, savvy, and informed throughout your entire franchising journey. You know how to outshine your competition and improve your franchise internally. By using the strategies and tips in this guide, your franchise will be well on its way to success.

We hope that this guide helps you as experienced franchise owners to have the thriving, profitable business you’ve worked so hard for. If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact your Great American Cookies Development Manager or visit Great American Cookies’ blog for more ideas on how to make your franchise even better. We are always there to help you improve your franchise and ensure that it’s everything that you want out of your business.

If you’re new to the franchise industry and you’re researching how to make your franchise a success from the start, contact Great American Cookies today to make your dream a reality. We can help you avoid common pitfalls of new franchise owners and help you to realize the rewards of owning a thriving cookie franchise.