First Crumbl Store Hemsley and McGowan opened their first location in Logan, Utah, in 2017. (courtesy of Crumbl Media Kit)
The Cookie Chronicles Begin
Ah, the iconic pink box. Just when you thought you’d found the end of culinary creativity, along come two cousins with a dream—nay, a cookie-fueled obsession. Crumbl began as a lovely little side hustle in 2017 and has bloomed into a global titan of baked goods. And by ‘global,’ I mean they now sell over a million cookies daily. No big deal, right?
From Small Town to Cookie Empire
Meet Sawyer Hemsley, who, like any sensible college senior, decided to launch a cookie bakery while diligently pursuing a degree at Utah State University. Fun fact: less than 3 months after opening, he realized his cookie venture might just have a little ‘potential.’ Who knew people liked cookies?
Baking Stack Overflows
Rooted in the small town of Preston, Idaho, Hemsley shares his inspiration: a lack of dining options. Apparently, fewer restaurants means more cookies. Who knew? “We didn’t have much to eat out, so we baked at home. Cornbread, muffins—you name it! And look where it’s led me,” he chuckles, probably while inspecting his empire of cookie storefronts.
A Fresh Take on Delivery
In an era where everyone and their grandmother is getting food delivered, Hemsley decided that grandma’s cookies deserved their moment in the spotlight. “Nothing says ‘I care’ like cookies made with love and delivered to your door!” Because nothing speaks louder than a warm chocolate chip cookie arriving on your doorstep. Perfect for impressing anyone—like your couch!
Kush With Sawyer Hemsley Kush met with Hemsley virtually to discuss his childhood and how that led to creating one of the largest dessert companies (photo credit: Kush Kalra).
Careers at Crumbl: More Than Cookies
Fast forward to today, and Crumbl has taken the cookie scene by storm, boasting over 1,000 stores and 29,000 employees. Hemsley himself has popped up in various roles, including our favorite: the test kitchen. Who wouldn’t want a job where taste-testing treats is a requirement? Sounds like a dream, right? Or perhaps an elaborate lie.
STEM Skills Are Sweet
Of course, baking is more than just a sprinkle of flour and a dash of sugar. It’s a math and science lab for cookies. Karina Hamalainen, Editorial Director at Scholastic Magazines+, assures us that “math is a superpower.” Who knew I was unintentionally preparing for a career in sweets by mastering fractions in kindergarten? “Measure this, calculate that”—might just be the ingredients to cookie success!
Bringing People Together, One Cookie at a Time
All in all, Crumbl is more than just a cookie company—it’s a billion-dollar venture with a heart. Hemsley emphasizes the mission of creating sweet moments for families because, let’s face it, food is the best form of therapy. In a world full of chaos, there’s nothing quite like gathering with friends over a warm cookie (or five). Count your blessings, not calories—and Crumbl can help with both!
