Westpac Directory of Franchising

Industry: Food and Beverage

Contact: Dawn Cleary

FANZ member: no

investment from:
$100,000

Number:: in NZ 52 globally 52

Funding info

Cookie Time

A Cookie Time franchise offers business ownership plus support from an iconic Kiwi company. Rare opportunities available in Northland, Wellington, Kapiti and South Canterbury to become a franchisee with this iconic Kiwi company, home to much loved brands including Cookie Time, Bumper and OSM.

Industry: Food and Beverage

Contact: Dawn Cleary

FANZ member: no

investment from:
$100,000

Number:: in NZ 52 globally 52

Funding info

Find Out More

Complete the form below to receive more detailed information from Cookie Time. We will not share your information with any other third party.

The opportunity

Join the Cookie Time family and own your own piece of New Zealand’s best FMCG distribution franchise network. Rated number 1 in the 2021 Coalface rankings, the Cookie Time business model revolves around delivering smiles! This flourishes through the strength of community we’ve created around our iconic brands, and it ties in with our company vision – a taste for every occasion, a smile on every face.

We currently have runs for sale in Northland/Whangarei, the Wellington CBD, the Kapiti Coast and South Canterbury. Our average franchisee tenure is 10+ years, so the opportunity to purchase a run is relatively rare. When a run does come up, there’s a lot of good reasons to join us. It’s a stable industry and established customer base, plus growth potential. We’ve got strong systems, iconic products and a great reputation and you get the satisfaction of success that reflects your own best efforts, plus no ongoing fees.

Investment levels vary according to location but typically range from $100-$150k – covering goodwill; a one off administration fee; purchase of a Toyota Hiace van (or similar as approved by Cookie Time); plus sundries to run your business (iPad, uniform, home office set up).

Cookie Time was founded in February 1983 with the delivery of 70 jars of Cookie Time Original™ Chocolate Chunk cookies to 70 Christchurch stores. Cookie Time today is New Zealand’s most trusted cookies brand. Entrepreneurship and innovation are in the company’s DNA, and it leads the way in snacking and functional foods with Bumper and OSM (One Square Meal). Market trends – from plant-based eating through to demand for ‘real’ ingredients – fuel ongoing new product development.

All Cookie Time products are proudly New Zealand made, and the company is committed to sustainable business practices. Giving back is also important, through ongoing support for KidsCan and other charity partners, and for the Cookie Time Charitable Trust, with more than $2 million raised to date to help New Zealand children discover their gifts.

Every day is different for a Cookie Time franchisee, but it’s all about meeting people, nurturing relationships, and caretaking our precious brands. Be your own boss, set your own schedule and go the extra mile for returns that reflect your best efforts. Your van is your mobile office, and you’re in the driving seat to ensure each store display is perfect, product is as fresh as possible and every consumer has a delicious experience.

Anyone can distribute product. Only a Cookie Time Franchisee can deliver smiles.

Skills & training

The franchisee sale process is relatively simple, including a discovery day with a franchisee and a visit to Cookie Time head office. Full training is given to successful candidates. Whilst FMCG industry experience would be a bonus, what we really value are effective communicators with a growth mindset and a passion for genuine interactions. You must be driven to deliver a superior experience to our customers and consumers and take ownership of the results. You’ll also have business acumen, be financially literate and have a track record in business development.

You distribute our brands to outlets in your franchise territory, taking a margin from every product sold. You grow your business and sales by increasing your ranging, securing new outlets, lifting promotional awareness of our products in the trade and delighting customers – delivering those smiles far and wide.

Areas available

Northland/Whangarei. Key areas included are Whangarei, Kerikeri, Kaitaia, Dargaville, Kaikohe, Ruakaka, including everything North of Langs Beach and Maungaturoto. You can develop a call cycle that works for you and your customers.

Wellington CBD. The boundaries of this run are yet to be finalised. Interested parties can anticipate the areas of Lambton Quay, Willis St, Featherston St, Courtenay Place through to and parts of Thorndon, Te Aro and Kelburn.

Kapiti Coast. From Porirua to Ohau, and everything in-between. Key areas include a large portion of Porirua (everything East of SH1), Paremata, Paekakariki, Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Te Horo and Otaki.

South Canterbury. Key areas included are Fairlie, Geraldine, Mt Cook, Oamaru, Tekapo, Timaru, Twizel and Waimate.

Franchisee comments

Vicki Blom and Shane Stratton, 14 years. Manawatu.

“Cookie Time gives us the freedom to choose our own destiny with encouragement. A Cookie Time franchise provides a challenge to help people grow in life and business. We are fully supported by an inspirational team both from head office and all the independent franchise owners – that’s ‘The Cookie Time Family’.”

Craig Winter, 10 years. North Shore.

“It has been an amazing 10 years. This company is just incredible, and I still regularly pinch myself at how lucky I am to do this for a living.”

Marjo Buis, 28 years (Cookie Time’s longest-serving franchisee). Dunedin

“I found a place where I could grow my individual strengths supported by the whole dedicated Cookie Time team.”

Bobby Kanji, started 2021. Bay of Plenty.

“I’m living the dream. Being a Cookie Time Franchisee is the most ‘complete’ business I could have ever hoped for.”