Cookie Cutters

The vendor opportunity at Cookie Cutters

Cookie Cutters operates 120 locations—117 franchised, 3 company-owned—with an average unit volume of $314,383. The system is headquartered in Utah, where its 4 mapped operators are concentrated. No multi-unit operators appear in the FDD; all 4 operators fall into the single-unit band. This is a small, tightly controlled network, which means a single HQ decision can unlock the entire system for a software vendor.

For SaaS companies selling into quick-service restaurants, the addressable market here is modest but efficient. The absence of a parent company suggests independent ownership, and the executive roster is lean: Neal Courtney (CEO), Alexis Courtney (COO), and Christy Fossett (VP of Operations and Training). Year-over-year unit growth is not disclosed in the most recent FDD.

Who controls software purchasing

Software purchasing authority at Cookie Cutters sits at the franchisor level. The 2026 FDD Item 1 identifies Neal Courtney as Chief Executive Officer and Alexis Courtney as Chief Operating Officer. These are the likely decision-makers for any system-wide technology adoption. Christy Fossett, as VP of Operations and Training, may influence operational software choices, particularly tools that affect salon workflow or staff training.

There is no indication of a multi-unit operator class that could drive independent purchasing. With all 4 mapped operators running single units, the franchisor’s mandates carry full weight. Vendors should prepare to engage the CEO and COO directly, framing value in terms of system-wide consistency, compliance, and franchisee ease of use.

Mandated and current tech stack

The 2026 FDD mandates three specific systems: QuickBooks by Intuit Inc., QuickBooks Online by Intuit Inc., and Shortcuts. QuickBooks covers accounting and financial management, while Shortcuts is a salon-specific platform likely handling point-of-sale, appointment scheduling, and client management. This stack leaves gaps in areas like advanced analytics, marketing automation, and employee scheduling—potential entry points for complementary SaaS products.

Because both QuickBooks desktop and QuickBooks Online are mandated, franchisees may have flexibility in which version they use. This dual mandate could create integration complexity that a middleware or unified reporting vendor could solve. Shortcuts, as the operational core, represents either a partner or a displacement target, depending on your product category.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

The FDD does not include an Item 8 procurement extract, so the formal supplier designation model—designated, approved, or open—is not disclosed. In practice, the mandated tech list suggests a designated-supplier approach for core systems. Vendors should assume franchisor approval is required for any system that touches financial or operational data.

Renewal terms offer a timing signal. The initial franchise term is 10 years, and renewals run 5 years, with a requirement to notify the franchisor at least 180 days before the term ends. The renewal agreement may contain materially different terms, but the royalty fee will not exceed the rate imposed on similarly situated renewing franchisees. This creates periodic windows where franchisees may be required to update salon appearance and systems to then-current standards—moments when new software can be introduced as part of a broader refresh.

How to read the Cookie Cutters FDD

The 2026 Cookie Cutters Franchise Disclosure Document is filed with state franchise regulators and available in the embedded PDF viewer below. Key sections for software vendors include Item 1 (executives), Item 11 (mandated systems), Item 8 (procurement, if present), and Item 17 (renewal conditions). The document provides the factual foundation for any sales conversation with this brand. For a ranked target list of franchise systems that match your software category, FranCloud can help you prioritize your outreach.