Who Owns Crumbl Cookies?

If you’ve ever scrolled through social media or walked past a Crumbl Cookies storefront, chances are you’ve been tempted by their oversized, gourmet cookies and sleek pink boxes. With over 1,000 locations across the United States and a rapidly growing global presence, Crumbl has become a dessert phenomenon. But behind this sweet success lies a fascinating story of entrepreneurship, innovation, and family roots.

So, who really owns Crumbl Cookies? Whether you’re a fan, an aspiring franchisee, or just curious about the people behind the brand, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the ownership and leadership of Crumbl.

The Founders: Meet the Men Behind the Cookie Craze

Crumbl Cookies was founded in 2017 by two cousins: Sawyer Hemsley and Jason McGowan, in Logan, Utah. Their goal? To create the world’s best chocolate chip cookie—and then some.

• Sawyer Hemsley, a college student at the time, dreamed of bringing gourmet cookies to the masses. He now serves as the company’s Chief Branding Officer (CBO) and plays a major role in Crumbl’s viral marketing and menu innovation.

• Jason McGowan, a seasoned tech entrepreneur, helped bring the vision to life using his expertise in digital platforms. He currently serves as CEO of Crumbl Cookies, overseeing strategy and operations.

Together, they began Crumbl with just one store and a lot of trial and error—testing hundreds of cookie recipes before settling on their now-famous product lineup.

Business Ownership Structure: Is Crumbl Privately Owned?

Yes, Crumbl Cookies is a privately owned company. It is not publicly traded and is wholly owned by its founders, leadership team, and selected stakeholders.

Here’s what that means:

• The company operates as an LLC (Limited Liability Company).

• The founders retain control over the brand’s direction, innovation, and expansion.

• Financials are not publicly disclosed, although the company reportedly generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2023.

The Role of Franchising in Crumbl’s Ownership Model

Crumbl’s rapid growth can largely be credited to its franchise model. While the brand is owned and operated centrally by Hemsley and McGowan’s team, many Crumbl locations are owned by independent franchisees.

If you’re interested in owning a Crumbl store, here’s what you should know:

• Initial franchise fee: Around $25,000

• Total investment range: Estimated between $300,000 and $800,000

• Royalty fees: Typically 8% of gross sales

• Franchisees are required to maintain brand standards and use the proprietary Crumbl tech platform and marketing systems.

So, while you may see different names on the paperwork of individual stores, the Crumbl brand is tightly controlled and unified under the original founders.

Leadership and Management Today

As of mid-2025, Crumbl continues to be led by its original founders, with a growing executive team that includes:

• Jason McGowan (CEO)

• Sawyer Hemsley (CBO)

• Additional roles including a Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and tech leadership managing the app and website platforms.

Crumbl invests heavily in data-driven decision making, leveraging customer feedback, social media trends, and online sales data to continuously evolve its weekly rotating menu and customer experience.

Crumbl Cookies is more than just a dessert brand—it’s a story of family, innovation, and turning a simple idea into a billion-dollar empire. By keeping ownership private and hands-on, Crumbl has retained its creative edge while scaling across the country and beyond.