Hot (literally) new cookie bakery Crumbl opens first California location in Turlock
When is a cookie not just a cookie? When it’s a social media phenomenon that gets delivered warm right to your door.
Crumbl Cookies, a new bakery chain based out of Utah, has opened its first California location in Turlock’s Monte Vista Crossings Shopping Center. Since debuting late last month, the Countryside Drive shop has been selling its signature oversized cookies like — well, with all due respect to hotcakes — really good cookies.
Husband-and-wife owners John and Jill Gauthier are no strangers to opening chains in the Central Valley. The Gauthiers opened their first Little Caesars Pizza in Modesto in 1990 and now own 49 of the franchises across eight states, including 16 in the region.
But last year one of their best friends, who is also friends with the Crumbl founder, started talking up this new chain. Crumbl began in 2017 in Logan, Utah and now has more than 90 locations across the country from Texas to Tennessee, Nevada to North Carolina. They all specialize in takeout and delivery of fresh-baked cookies.
John Gauthier said after learning more about the concept he wanted to open a site in California right away, but it wasn’t available. So earlier this year he opened his first Crumbl locations in Colorado, where some of his children live and now manage the shops. The Turlock location, in his hometown, is actually his third in the franchise.
And while the Gauthiers own California’s first Crumbl, it certainly won’t be their last. They have signed leases for new Crumbl locations in Elk Grove and Clovis. They are also eyeing Lodi and a spot in the popular Riverbank Crossroads shopping center.
So why all the fuss over cookies? For starters, these are some big cookies. Crumbl cookies measure about 5-inches across, like if you squashed a softball flat. They are made from crack-the-eggs, shape-the-dough scratch fresh throughout the day in full view of customers.
The company offers some 90 different cookie flavors, which rotate through each week. The shop sells six varieties daily — chocolate chip and sugar cookies each day and four other flavors that change weekly. This past week’s specials included churro, Nutella sea-salt, buckeye brownie and Funfetti. You can order them by the box and they run $4 for one, $13 for four and $29 for a dozen.
The cookies are soft and chewy, and can be delivered warm to your house through a partnership with DoorDash. There’s even an app, which allows you to order for touchless curbside pickup or home delivery from your phone.
And, that’s not all the shop sells. Your sweet tooth can also enjoy ice cream, called Crumbl Cream, by the pint or several pints ($4 for 1, $13 for 4 pints) in six different flavors.
“It’s a super fun concept. It’s very upbeat. You have to experience the vibe, it’s a really cool vibe that’s very hip and modern,” John Gauthier said.
While Crumbl has no seating and is only takeout or delivery, the compact 1,200 square-foot space that sits two doors down from Deli Delicious in Monte Vista Crossings is sleek and bright inside. One wall features a big Crumbl logo, custom-made for snapping a pic to post on social media.
Indeed, Gauthier said most of its customers have found the store through Facebook or Instagram. And they stay open late, like really late. During the week the Turlock location is open until 10 p.m. and on the weekends you can get your cookie fix until midnight. Yes, midnight. Just don’t forget the milk.
“People are just sick of being cooped up. We’ve been wildly successful because of that. I mean, I think we’d be successful if this didn’t happen, but with all this even more so,” he said. “Most people come in and say, ‘Wow.’ It’s quite the cookie experience.”
Crumbl Cookies, at 2745A Countryside Drive in Turlock, is open for pickup or delivery from 8 .am. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. For more information call 209-336-6449 or visit https://crumblcookies.com.
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
