Q&A: Does Millie's Cookies Franchise in the UK?

Becky Martin, writer

Published at 11/04/2019, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Q&A: Does Millie's Cookies Franchise in the UK? — Photo © millies-cookies-franchise.jpg

If you’ve got a sweet tooth and an entrepreneurial spirit, you might be interested in finding out whether Millie’s Cookies franchises in the UK. Read on to find out…

We’re sure lots of us haven’t been able to resist a treat from Millie’s Cookies when we’ve passed it on the high street, in a shopping centre or at a train station. It’s owned by parent brand SSP International, which specialises in catering for busy commuters in travel locations globally. The bakery brand has over 90 stores across the UK and, although this is where the company is based, it has recently expanded into a variety of worldwide destinations. Now, Millie’s signature baked dough can be enjoyed as far away as Hong Kong, and can also be found in France, India, Germany, Malta and Egypt. All cookies are baked on the day, guaranteeing a fresh taste that always delivers a smile. But can you start your own Millie’s Cookies franchise unit in the UK?

Does Millie’s Cookies franchise in the UK?

Franchising is a key part of Millie’s Cookies’ expansion strategy. 18 of the brand’s 123 stores in the UK are franchisee-owned, and it has plans to introduce new franchise stores in India, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. If you’re interested in starting up a Millie’s Cookies franchise branch, you’ll need the capital to fund three to four different stores in your area; the brand runs a multi-unit ‘area development’ franchise scheme that rules out the opening of single stores. Before we find out more about the cookie franchise opportunity, let’s take a quick look at its history.

History of Millie’s Cookies

Millie’s Cookies opened the doors to its first bakery in Selfridges Department Store, London way back in 1985. The company was founded by Mario Budwig and was named after his grandmother, Mildred. Before long, the cookie chain was looking beyond London to other major cities in the UK, including Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham.

By the early 1990s, Millie’s Cookies had stores located amongst the hustle and bustle of the country’s major railway stations.

SSP’s purchase of the brand in 1997 took the company in a whole new direction. Having reached its full potential on UK shores, the brand wanted to deliver its service to a more international audience. By 2006, the chain had grown to 121 outlets.

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Starting a Millie’s Cookies franchise

Through franchising with Millie’s Cookies, you will be serving a loyal customer base that has a strong affinity with the brand. Millie’s Cookies largely caters to a young audience that is primarily female and between the ages of 20-25. That being said, the brand appeals to a wide audience and has products to fit many different tastes. Alongside its signature cookies, the bakery also sells coffee and hot chocolate, which means there’s always something for parents when they visit with children.

Let’s now break the franchise down, so you can decide whether it’s the right investment opportunity for you.

Becoming a Millie’s Cookies franchisee

Prospective franchisees will ideally have experience in the food sector and in growing a brand business. Access to locations is also preferable to help get the franchise up and running as efficiently as possible. As well as providing the initial investment required for the first store, you will also be expected to demonstrate an ability to fund additional stores down the line in your local area.

How much you need to invest

Millie’s Cookies stores come in a number of different formats. As well as the instantly recognisable Millie’s Cookies bakery kiosk that is often found in train stations, the brand also operates larger, high street stores that are equipped with accompanying seating. Considering this, it is important to be mindful that investment costs will vary depending on the type of store you want to open.

But, a minimum investment of £100,000 and a franchise fee of £15,000 is required for each individual store.

What you get in return

In return for your investment, you will join a talented and enthusiastic team, who you can turn to for guidance whenever you need. They will support you in staff training, operations, store construction and marketing. With the experience that Millie’s Cookies has in growing an international brand, you can rest assured that you and your franchise will be in very good hands.

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Similar Franchise Opportunity

If you’re not interested in becoming a Millie’s Cookies franchisee, there are other bakery franchise opportunities available via the Point Franchise network. One of these is Dunkin Donuts.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Specialising in coffee and doughnuts, this franchise serves over five million customers a day and sells over 30 cups of coffee a second.

The business was launched in 1950 by Bill Rosenburg, who opened his first shop in Massachusetts. Since then, Dunkin’ Donuts has established a network of more than 11,000 stores spread across 31 countries and racked up almost 70 years of industry experience and 120 years of combined franchising experience.

Becoming a Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee: You’ll need to be prepared to open at least 20 restaurants over a certain time period and have previous experience in the Food & Beverage industry.
How much you need to invest: If you fancy taking a bite out of a Dunkin Donuts franchise, you’ll need to have around £1,200,000 in liquid assets, as well as a net worth of £2,300,000.
What you get for your investment: Once you’re on board, the franchise will provide you with the rights to use its internationally recognisable branding and world-class tools and resources. This means you’ll be able to attract customers to your business and offer them the same positive experience they would expect to find at any Dunkin Donuts outlet.

So there you have it, Millie’s Cookies does franchise in the UK. If you want to show your interest, head to its website for more information. You can also browse our full list of sweets franchise opportunities.