Insomnia Cookies
{{Short description|American global bakery chain}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Insomnia Cookies
| logo = Insomnia Cookies logo.svg
| logo_size = 100px
| image = Insomnia Cookies in UCLA.jpg
| image_caption = Insomnia Cookies on UCLA's campus
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| founders = Seth Berkowitz and
Jared Barnett
| hq_location = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
&
New York, New York
| area_served = United States
| key_people =
| industry = Bakery
| genre =
| products =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = Verlinvest
Mistral Equity Partners
| num_employees =
| footnotes =
| homepage = {{URL|insomniacookies.com}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2003}}
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| locations = 265+ stores (2024)
}}
Insomnia Cookies is a chain of bakeries primarily in the United States that specializes in delivering warm cookies, baked goods, and ice cream.{{cite news| url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/09/insomnia-cookies-caters-to-late-night-munchies.html| title=Midnight munchies? Insomnia Cookies has your back| last=Casey| first=Drew| date=October 10, 2015| website=CNBC| access-date=June 26, 2016}} Based in New York and Philadelphia, it was started in 2003 by Jared Barnett and Seth Berkowitz, both students at the University of Pennsylvania.{{cite web |last1=Schwartz |first1=Jason |title=New Combination Proveshi Profitable |url=https://www.thedp.com/article/2005/11/new_combination_proves_profitable |website=The Daily Pennsylvanian |access-date=7 November 2022}} The company has more than 265 stores, mainly located throughout the continental U.S., with international locations in Canada and England. Many stores are located in close proximity to university campuses and cater to students who want to order cookies late at night.
History and operations
The company was co-founded by Jared Barnett and Seth Berkowitz in 2003 while attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Berkowitz began baking and delivering cookies from a dorm room to students on campus late at night.{{cite news| last=Van Allen|first=Peter| title=Another place to get a cookie at 3 in the morning| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2013/03/08/another-place-to-get-a-cookie-at-3-in.html| access-date=February 11, 2014| newspaper=Philadelphia Business Journal| date=March 8, 2013}} From there the concept of cookie delivery grew.{{cite web| url=https://huffingtonpost.com/rajat-bhageria/an-interview-with-seth-be_b_6638500.html| title=An Interview with Seth Berkowitz | How the Founder of Insomnia has Revolutionized the College Experience Armed Only with Cookies| date=February 17, 2015| website=HuffPost}} The first retail store opened in 2003 in Syracuse, New York.{{Cite web |date=2009-11-30 |title=Insomnia Cookies feeds SU for 5 years |url=http://dailyorange.com/2009/11/insomnia-cookies-feeds-su-for-5-years/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=The Daily Orange |language=en-US}}
Insomnia Cookies is based in New York City and Philadelphia. Insomnia Cookies bakeries are typically located near college and university campuses to target students who wish to order cookies past the closing time of traditional bakeries. Most stores are open from 10:00{{nbsp}}a.m. until 3:00{{nbsp}}a.m. Monday-Friday, and from noon until 3:00{{nbsp}}a.m. on weekends.{{cite web |title=Insomnia Cookies - FAQ |url=https://insomniacookies.com/faq |access-date=2021-05-04 |website=Insomnia Cookies}}
The company expanded throughout the continental U.S., opening its 100th store in 2016.{{cite press release |date=2017-07-10 |title=Insomnia Cookies to Open Real Estate Search to All 48 States in the Continental U.S. |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170710005197/en/Insomnia-Cookies-to-Open-Real-Estate-Search-to-All-48-States-in-the-Continental-U.S. |access-date=2021-05-04 |publisher=Insomnia Cookies |via=BusinessWire}}
In 2018 Krispy Kreme, financed by JAB Holding Company, acquired Insomnia Cookies at a $175mm enterprise value; the company continued to operate independently.{{cite web |last=Nunes |first=Keith |title=JAB Holdings to Acquire Insomnia Cookies |url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/12187-jab-holding-to-acquire-insomnia-cookies |date=July 20, 2018 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=Food Business News}}{{Cite web |title=Krispy Kreme Sells Majority Ownership Stake of Insomnia Cookies |url=https://investors.krispykreme.com/news/news-releases/news-details/2024/Krispy-Kreme-Sells-Majority-Ownership-Stake-of-Insomnia-Cookies/default.aspx |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=investors.krispykreme.com |language=en-US}}
File:Insomnia_Cookies_at_Union_Station_in_Washington,_D.C.jpg]]
In April 2021, the company opened its first store with an experimental CookieLab section, a "cookie speakeasy" that offers customizable cookies and a bar with milk and milkshake options.{{cite web |last=Chang |first=Rachel |date=April 27, 2021 |title=There's a Cookie Speakeasy in Philadelphia — If You Know Where to Look |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/food-drink/insomnia-cookies-speakeasy-cookielab-philadelphia |access-date=May 4, 2021 |website=Travel + Leisure}}
In June 2021, the company opened its 200th store in Exton, Pennsylvania.{{cite web |last=Lang |first=Marlene |date=2021-06-24 |title=Insomnia Cookies Opens Its 200th Store In Exton |url=https://patch.com/pennsylvania/te/insomnia-cookies-opens-its-200th-store-exton |access-date=2021-06-25 |website=Patch}}
In October 2023, the company partnered with Universal Pictures and Scott Cawthon Productions to release the 'Freddy Fazbear's Cookie Pizza' in promotion of the Five Nights at Freddy's movie.{{Cite web |last=Brownies |first=Boiled |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Fnaf cookie pizza at insomnia cookies |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/fivenightsatfreddys/comments/173e8bk/fnaf_cookie_pizza_at_insomnia_cookies/?rdt=35173 |website=Reddit}}
In 2023 the company expanded to locations outside of the United States, with the first international bakeries in Manchester, England and Toronto, Canada.{{Cite web |last=McAllister |first=James |date=2023-08-30 |title=Insomnia Cookies makes UK debut with double Manchester opening |url=https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2023/08/30/Insomnia-Cookies-makes-UK-debut-with-double-Manchester-opening |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=restaurantonline.co.uk |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Marcelo |first=Breanna |date=2023-09-09 |title=Insomnia Cookies opens first store in Canada at York University |url=https://nowtoronto.com/culture/insomnia-cookies-opens-first-store-in-canada-at-york-university/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=NOW Toronto |language=en-CA}} More stores were opened in 2024 in Ontario, and the company reached more than 265 locations in North America.{{Cite press release |title=Insomnia Cookies celebrates new opening in Kingston (Ontario) and announces Canadian openings in 2024 |date=2024-02-08 |publisher=Cision Canada |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/insomnia-cookies-celebrates-new-opening-in-kingston-ontario-and-announces-canadian-openings-in-2024-838128836.html |access-date=2024-05-03}}
In 2024, Krispy Kreme sold a majority stake in Insomnia Cookies—at a $350mm enterprise value—to Verlinvest and Mistral Equity Partners.{{Cite web |title=Krispy Kreme Sells Majority Ownership Stake of Insomnia Cookies |url=https://investors.krispykreme.com/news/news-releases/news-details/2024/Krispy-Kreme-Sells-Majority-Ownership-Stake-of-Insomnia-Cookies/default.aspx |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=investors.krispykreme.com |language=en-US}} Krispy Kreme sold their remaining stake in 2025 for an additional $75mm.{{cite web |title=Krispy Kreme Sells Remaining Ownership Stake in Insomnia Cookies |url=https://investors.krispykreme.com/news/news-releases/news-details/2025/Krispy-Kreme-Sells-Remaining-Ownership-Stake-in-Insomnia-Cookies/default.aspx |website=investors.krispykreme.com |access-date=24 June 2025}}
Wage theft lawsuit
The company has faced accusations of wage theft and abuse of employees.
In 2023, the company faced a lawsuit brought by employees who worked as delivery drivers. Other suits were brought by former employees at locations in Rochester, New York City, and Auburn Alabama.
The company allegedly stole wages from at least 40 workers, according to the lawsuit. One worker claimed that a general manager allegedly called her "sneaky" and a "snake" for calling out the wage theft. The manager allegedly "scolded her for crying after she slipped and fell in the snow" and "put plastic spiders in her delivery bag", according to the lawsuit.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-25 |title=Insomnia Cookies Failed To Pay Workers Minimum Wage, Class Action Suit Claims |url=https://patch.com/pennsylvania/across-pa/insomnia-cookies-failed-pay-workers-minimum-wage-lawsuit-claims |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Across Pennsylvania, PA Patch |language=en}}
Products
Insomnia Cookies sells 17 types of classic cookies, including vegan options, and a variety of deluxe cookies.{{cite web |date=2021-06-25 |title=Insomnia Cookies Nutritional Facts Guide |url=https://api.insomniacookies.com/uploads/Insomnia%20Cookies%20Overall%20Nutritional%20Facts%20Guide.pdf |access-date=2021-06-25 |website=Insomnia Cookies}} Other products include cookie cakes, brownies, milk, ice cream, and ice cream sandwiches.{{cite web |date=2019-07-19 |title=Insomnia Cookies celebrates National Ice Cream Day |url=https://www.bakemag.com/articles/12298-insomnia-cookies-celebrates-national-ice-cream-day |access-date=2021-05-04 |website=Bake Magazine}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://insomniacookies.com/ Insomnia Cookies website]
{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}
Category:Fast-food chains of the United States
Category:Companies based in New York City
Category:Companies based in Philadelphia