Cookie Man joins forces with Mrs. Fields Gourmet Cookies franchises

The Australian Master Franchisee of Mrs. Fields Gourmet Cookies franchises has announced the acquisition of former Allied Brands subsidiary Cookie Man Pty Ltd.

Cookie Corporation Pty Ltd acquired the business and assets of the Cookie Man franchise after it was placed in liquidation in September.

The company will operate the two businesses separately, with the Cookie Man network of cookies franchises to be operated through a newly formed subsidiary, Cookie Man Australia Pty Ltd.

Managing Director of Cookie Corporation, Andrew Benefield, explains that the company has no plans to amalgamate the brands in the retail market place.

“Both Cookie Man and Mrs. Fields have been present in the market for many years, and have quite different positioning and customer followings,” he says. “Owning both brands will enable us to choose the most appropriate brand for any particular area to maximise customer satisfaction and franchisee sales.”

Former Cookie Man owner and director Peter Elligett has been appointed as General Manager of the Cookie Man cookies franchises, in a move that Benefield says will be popular with existing Cookie Man franchisees.

Mrs. Fields still plans to import its famous cookie dough from the United States, but anticipates access to the Sydney manufacturing and warehouse facilities of Cookie Man will enable both brands to develop new and original products.

The acquisition is good news for Cookie Man cookies franchises, says Benefield, confirming that “after a period of insecurity during the liquidation we look forward to being able to offer Cookie Man franchisees a bright and secure future.”

Cookie Corporation will now operate 27 Mrs. Fields snack food franchises across Australia, along with 30 Cookie Man stores and 13 licensed Cookie Man operations in David Jones and Baskin and Robbins stores.