Cookies by Design franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Cookies by Design franchise fee is $30,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $205,000 to $405,000, with about $50,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Cookies by Design FDD.
What are the Cookies by Design franchise fees and investment?
The Cookies by Design franchise requires a franchise fee of $30,000 and a total initial investment of $205,000 to $405,000. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $30,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $205,000 to $405,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $50,000 |
| US locations | 38 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant |
| Headquarters | Springfield, New Jersey |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Franchising since | 1987 |
How does the Cookies by Design investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Cookies by Design's minimum investment of $205,000 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 823 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $30,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Cookies by Design belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Cookies by Design FDD?
Verify six parts of the Cookies by Design Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Cookies by Design discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Cookies by Design?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Cookies by Design:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| HCK Hot Chicken Restaurant | $40,000 | $205,500 to $688,000 |
| Planet Smoothie | $12,000 to $25,000 | $205,650 to $478,500 |
| Bubbleology | $20,000 to $32,500 | $205,850 to $458,950 |
| Charleys Philly Steaks | $24,500 | $203,736 to $694,249 |
| GELATO-GO | $35,000 to $45,000 | $203,500 to $444,100 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cookies by Design franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Cookies by Design franchise ranges from $205,000 to $405,000, including a franchise fee of $30,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Cookies by Design franchise?
Cookies by Design lists a minimum of about $50,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Cookies by Design locations are there?
Cookies by Design reported 38 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Cookies by Design been franchising?
Cookies by Design started offering franchises in 1987 after the company was founded in 1987.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Cookies by Design and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cookies by Design. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.