In a move that’s destined to delight dessert lovers across the Raleigh region, FAT Brands Inc. has opened a co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery location in Sanford, North Carolina. This launch strategically expands the parent company’s footprint in North Carolina, enabling both brands to serve nostalgic cookie connoisseurs and ice-cream aficionados under one roof.
Allison Lauenstein, President of both Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery, frames the opening as a seamless progression in their regional growth plan. She notes that the co-branded setup pairs traditional favorites with inventive creations, offering “endless sweet treat possibilities” that she believes will turn this store into “Sanford’s ultimate dessert destination.”
Since its founding in 1977, Great American Cookies has earned acclaim for its Original Cookie Cake and classic chocolate chip cookies, plus its brownie offerings and indulgent Double Doozies™, which sandwich rich icing between two cookies. These treats have long represented a comforting and celebratory nostalgia for dessert lovers.
Marble Slab Creamery brings a complementary appeal with its pioneering frozen slab technique and small-batch ice-cream philosophy. Known for providing free mix-ins, a variety of shakes, and eye-catching Ice Cream Cakes, the brand delivers both creativity and customizable dessert experiences.
Located at 3268 US Hwy 87 South in Sanford, the new outlet is set to serve dessert seekers six days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with shorter Sunday hours from noon to 8 p.m. This timetable ensures accessibility for both casual outings and planned sweet stops.
This co-branded initiative speaks to a broader trend in fast-casual franchising, where combining beloved dessert brands under one roof can amplify cross-brand appeal and operational efficiency. FAT Brands, which currently operates 18 distinct restaurant concepts and over 2,300 units globally, is leveraging co-branding to continue expanding its market reach. By marrying Great American Cookies’ comforting heritage with Marble Slab Creamery’s customizable innovation, the company offers customers a compelling, all-your-dessert-dreams-under-one-roof experience.
