Crave Cookies is coming to Springfield, becoming
the second gourmet cookie company to open a franchise in the capital city this
year.
The first was Crumbl Cookies, which opened in February in Parkway Pointe near the west-side Walmart. Now construction is underway at 3808 Octavus Via, a 1,560-square-foot suite in a shopping center next to the south-side Walmart.
Franchise owners Josh and Jennifer Ellison work as a physician and nurse practitioner, respectively, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.
“We wanted to expand our knowledge in a
different venue,” said Jennifer Ellison. “We’re both in medicine and some days
can be very rewarding, but others are quite challenging.”
Jennifer Ellison said when the couple started
investigating various business opportunities, they initially considered opening
a coffee shop before settling on Crave Cookies. “(The franchise) is highly
rated for helping new business owners and providing a lot of guidance along the
way,” she said.
Crave Cookies was the subject of a trademark
infringement lawsuit filed in May 2022 by its competitor, Crumbl Cookies. The
lawsuit alleged that Crave Cookies was using a similar logo, packaging and
presentation as Crumbl, including a weekly rotating menu of cookie flavors.
Both companies are based in Utah.
Crumbl’s lawsuit argued that Trent Engligh,
the co-founder of Crave Cookies, had applied to be a Crumbl franchise owner and
started a similar company after his application was denied.
In July 2023, the companies announced they
had “reached an amicable settlement to a trademark and trade dress infringement
dispute.” The terms of the settlement were confidential.
Crave Cookies currently has more than two
dozen locations in 11 states. The first Illinois store opened earlier this year
in the Chicago suburb of Orland Park. The Ellisons are hoping to have the
Springfield store open by Aug. 1.
A new menu of five featured cookie flavors
is announced each Friday, with the company’s signature chocolate chip cookie always
available. Offerings also include loaded sodas, made with flavored syrups,
smooth creams and fresh purees.
“We’re happy to be giving back to the
community in another way that we haven’t been able to do with medicine,” said
Josh Ellison. “We’re looking forward to supporting the community in this way
and also getting support back.”
