Franchise Facts Report → compare → Great American Cookies vs Marble Slab Creamery
Great American Cookies vs Marble Slab Creamery
Two food & beverage franchises, compared on the numbers their own Franchise Disclosure Documents put on record — investment, fees, Item 19 earnings, outlet churn, and litigation. Not marketing copy.
| Great American Cookies | Marble Slab Creamery | |
|---|---|---|
| Total initial investment FDD Item 7 | $340,500 – $462,650 | $354,500 – $476,650 |
| Initial franchise fee FDD Item 5 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Royalty FDD Item 6 | 6% | 6% |
| Item 19 earnings disclosed FDD Item 19 | Yes | Yes |
| Avg unit revenue (headline) FDD Item 19 | $539,902 | $480,828 |
| Franchised outlets FDD Item 20 | 395 | 249 |
| Net outlet change (latest yr) FDD Item 20 | -5 | +1 |
| Closure rate FDD Item 20 | 5.8% | 4.8% |
| Franchisee lawsuits FDD Item 3 | disclosed | 3 |
| Risk level our read | Medium | Medium |
| FDD year registration | 2025 | 2025 |
Are Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery the same company?
No — Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery are franchised by separate companies. Great American Cookies's franchisor is GAC FRANCHISING, LLC; Marble Slab Creamery's is MARBLE SLAB FRANCHISING, LLC. Each registers and files its own Franchise Disclosure Document, and you would be signing with a different entity depending on which you chose. Note that a registry filing names the franchisor, not necessarily its ultimate parent — two brands owned by the same parent company can still have separate franchisors.
Cost to open
Great American Cookies is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $340,500 – $462,650, against $354,500 – $476,650 for Marble Slab Creamery.
How much does each make? (Item 19)
Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation. On the headline average unit revenue each discloses, Great American Cookies reports the higher figure ($539,902 vs $480,828). Revenue is not profit — check each Item 19 for which units the figure covers.
Closures & failure rate
Great American Cookies reports 395 franchised outlets, net change -5 in the latest reported year, a 5.8% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Marble Slab Creamery reports 249 franchised outlets, net change +1 in the latest reported year, a 4.8% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Outlet churn — closures, terminations, non-renewals — is the closest thing an FDD has to a failure rate.
Litigation
Great American Cookies discloses litigation in FDD Item 3 (each case is described there). Marble Slab Creamery discloses 3 franchisee-vs-franchisor proceedings in FDD Item 3.
Deciding between Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery?
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Great American Cookies vs Marble Slab Creamery — frequently asked
Are Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery the same company?
No — Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery are franchised by separate companies. Great American Cookies's franchisor is GAC FRANCHISING, LLC; Marble Slab Creamery's is MARBLE SLAB FRANCHISING, LLC. Each registers and files its own Franchise Disclosure Document, and you would be signing with a different entity depending on which you chose. Note that a registry filing names the franchisor, not necessarily its ultimate parent — two brands owned by the same parent company can still have separate franchisors.
What is the difference between Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery?
Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery are food & beverage franchises from different franchisors (GAC FRANCHISING, LLC and MARBLE SLAB FRANCHISING, LLC). Great American Cookies is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $340,500 – $462,650, against $354,500 – $476,650 for Marble Slab Creamery. Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation. On the headline average unit revenue each discloses, Great American Cookies reports the higher figure ($539,902 vs $480,828). Revenue is not profit — check each Item 19 for which units the figure covers.
Is Great American Cookies more profitable than Marble Slab Creamery?
Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation. On the headline average unit revenue each discloses, Great American Cookies reports the higher figure ($539,902 vs $480,828). Revenue is not profit — check each Item 19 for which units the figure covers.
Which is cheaper to open — Great American Cookies or Marble Slab Creamery?
Great American Cookies is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $340,500 – $462,650, against $354,500 – $476,650 for Marble Slab Creamery.
Is Great American Cookies or Marble Slab Creamery growing faster?
Great American Cookies reports 395 franchised outlets, net change -5 in the latest reported year, a 5.8% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Marble Slab Creamery reports 249 franchised outlets, net change +1 in the latest reported year, a 4.8% closure rate (FDD Item 20).
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Food & beverage rankings
Figures are as disclosed in each brand's most recent registered FDD (Great American Cookies 2025, Marble Slab Creamery 2025). “—” means the FDD does not disclose it or the table did not parse cleanly — never an estimate.