In 1983, Gwen Willhite suddenly found herself an unemployed, single mother. With time to think, this creative and motivated woman combined two traditional gifts ~flowers and sweets~ and turned them into one deliciously clever concept, the cookie bouquet. Her edible bouquets of custom-shaped and hand-decorated sugar and cinnamon brown sugar cookies on sticks were cleverly arranged in baskets as tasteful gifts for any occasion. Gift-givers quickly embraced the new idea, and Gwen's budding enterprise soon outgrew her own home kitchen.

The newly successful entrepreneur moved to a location in nearby, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Then in 1986 when things really picked up, Gwen moved her business to Dallas, Texas. After the Dallas business was established, Gwen turned her attention to the numerous requests from others wishing to start their own Cookie Bouquet franchise. The first franchised Cookie Bouquet location opened in 1987 and the momentum has been growing ever since. To better reflect all of the creative, unique and customized products sold, Cookie Bouquet locations changed their names to "Cookies by Design" in 2004. Now, 25 years later, Cookies by Design locations operate across the United States. Our Cookies by Design locations service all your cookie needs, from Father's Day Gift Baskets tobirthday gift baskets, we can accommodate all holiday and special occasion gift needs!

How can you own the Sweetest Franchise in Town? 

Application
We ask you to fill out the application and personal financial statement found in the Application section. We will review the application and the personal financial statement to determine your suitability as a franchisee.

Beginning Interview
If our review of your application is favorable, you will be contacted by a Cookies by Design representative to discuss your interest in operating your own location. At this time we will outline the possibilities available to you as a franchisee, as well as answer any questions you may have.

Disclosure Document
Following the successful completion of the interview, a Franchise Disclosure Document will be sent to you. After reviewing these documents, you and the Cookies by Design representative will begin discussing the details of the Franchise Agreement, including your territory.

Decision
Once you and Cookies by Design have made the decision to enter into a Franchise Agreement, a completed Franchise Agreement will be sent to you for your execution. The initial franchise fee is due upon execution of the Agreement.

Evolution of Your location
Welcome to Cookies by Design®!
This is where the excitement really begins. Once you have executed your Franchise Agreement and paid your fee, your Cookies by Design representative will begin assisting you with the various steps of the process, including:

• Choosing a location - We will send you information to assist you in locating a site for your store. All sites must be approved.
• Location Design - Our Director of Operations will assist you throughout the construction process by providing answers to your construction questions, referrals to suppliers, and assisting you in scheduling the opening of your store. All construction must be approved.
• Purchasing equipment - Included in the Pre-opening Manual you will find a listing of major equipment needed, including detailed specifications, vendor names, and estimated prices.

Final Preparation
You will attend Cookie College® in Plano, Texas to learn how to operate and market your Cookies by Design location. This two-week training course, which includes both production and operational training, is designed to prepare you for operating a Cookies by Design store.

With over 25 years of experience in the industry, our support network will help you delight customers with unique gifts for every occasion.

What can you expect as a Cookies by Design franchisee?

Experienced Staff and Proven Product 

• Over twenty-five years of experience in research and development of recipes, systems, procedures and marketing strategies to maintain our presence in the market.
• Proprietary recipes and cookie designs that have proven successful in markets throughout the United States.
• Growing reputation and brand awareness in over 150 cities nationwide.
• Cookies by Design® is an authorized licensee of Disney Enterprises, Inc. to offer Disney cookie gifts. (special provisions and restrictions apply)

Start Up Assistance 

• Site selection and construction assistance.
• Location design assistance, including a Pre-Opening Manual.
• Comprehensive two-week training course -- Cookie College® -- production, marketing and operational training curriculum developed specifically for newly licensed franchisees and their employees.
• Confidential Operations Manual, Training Workbook, Design Manual, Baking Manual, and other production and operational manuals.

On-Going Support 

• Marketing material produced by the Corporate Office for special gift giving occasions.
• Management assistance, including point of sale, accounting, and resource materials.
• Purchasing and inventory assistance.
• Cookie Dough® bulletins containing holiday production and marketing information.
• National supplier and distribution program providing inventory management and cost savings.
• Periodic store visits from field operations representatives.
• Protection through Cookies by Design® intellectual property rights, including trademarks, service marks, copyrighted materials and designs, patents and confidential trade secrets.
• Accounting and sales record system.
• On-going research and development of new designs, products and services.
• Peer support and collective knowledge of fellow franchisees.