Cookies in Bloom

Founded: 1988 Franchising since: 1992
Mary Pinac had been working in the wholesale apparel business and was tiring of dressing up and traveling every day. Her husband, Robert, was involved in the executive suite industry until the real estate market faltered in the late '80s. Looking for a new business they could start together, the Pinacs decided cookie gifts were the idea they wanted to pursue.

In 1989, the couple founded Cookies in Bloom, a store that creates and ships bouquets and gifts made with sugar shortbread cookies. The Pinacs began franchising their concept in 1991, and now the company's franchisees operate stores in the West, Midwest and South making cookie arrangements for all holidays and occasions.

7208 La Cosa Dr. Dallas, Texas 75248

Phone: (800)222-3104/ (972)490-8644

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 5 employee(s); 2 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	15	0	0	0
2008	--	--	--	--
2007	17	0	0	0
2006	19	0	0	0
2005	20	0	0	0

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South carolina, Tennessee, Texas, United states, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West virginia, Wyoming

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 125,000 white collar population

Total investment: $60K-114K Franchise fee: $19.5K

Ongoing royalty fee: 5% Term of agreement: 5 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	No	No
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $200K
Cash liquidity requirement: $50K
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Marketing skills
• Creativity; customer service; people skills

Operations

• 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 10 days
• At franchisee's location: 5 days
• On-the-job training at corporate-approved shop

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• Regional advertising