This national restaurant franchise brings back an American mall staple to Columbus

The temperature is heating up and a patriotic summer is in full swing as Independence Day and the 2024 Summer Olympics quickly approach.

Perhaps this makes the timing perfect for the mall staple, Great American Cookies, to return to Peachtree Mall in Columbus.

Founded in 1977, the national franchise quickly became popular among mall shoppers, said Amy Morrison, the operations manager. The restaurant chain operated in Peachtree Mall until about 14 years ago, when a previous owner closed it.

The previous tenant in Great American Cookies’ current space in the mall was Bonnie’s Cookies.

“We are thrilled to bring back our famous cookies and cookie cakes to Peachtree Mall customers,” Morrison said.

This franchise location is owned by The Cookie Place, Inc., the largest franchisee of Great American Cookies in the country. The company also operates Marble Slab Creamery locations.

The returned location in the mall is the second one in Muscogee County, with a co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery in Columbus Park Crossing on Whittlesey Boulevard.

There is no grand opening event planned, Morrison said, but the restaurant is currently open for business.

Along with regular menu items like chocolate chip cookies and Double Doozies™, customers can also purchase customized cookie cakes for events, she said.

“We have a great team that is excited to ‘share the fun of cookies’ at Peachtree Mall,” Morrison said.