How to Finance a NoBaked Cookie Dough Franchise: Three Formats
By Marc Cornella
A NoBaked Cookie Dough franchise loan funds a dessert business built around gourmet edible cookie dough that is safe to eat raw. Because the brand offers scoop shops, food trucks and carts, the right financing depends heavily on which format you choose, and each one looks different to a lender.
This article explains the brand’s background, the costs a loan usually covers in each format, how lenders evaluate a young dessert franchise and what NoBaked’s SBA Franchise Directory listing means for buyers.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by NoBaked Cookie Dough; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and accountant.
NoBaked Cookie Dough Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: scoopable edible cookie dough made without eggs and with heat-treated flour, including vegan and gluten-free flavors.
- Formats: scoop shops, food trucks and carts, which the company describes as flexible formats with a low initial investment.
- Experience: the franchisor says no foodservice experience is needed.
- Fees, investment and capital requirements: not published on the franchisor’s franchise page; read Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- Headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee, where the brand began in 2017.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “NoBaked Cookie Dough” under code S3288 with no additional notes.
What Is NoBaked Cookie Dough?
NoBaked was founded in Nashville in early 2017 by Megan Feeman, who developed a chocolate chip cookie dough recipe she believed others would love. According to the company, she built the website on her lunch breaks at a corporate job, launched the business and quit that job. The first scoop shop opened in the fall of 2017. She now runs the company with her husband, Jimmy, and their team.
The product is edible cookie dough meant to be eaten raw. The company says its dough is made without eggs, removing the raw-egg risk, and that its flour is heat-treated to kill bacteria. Flavors include chocolate chip, cookies and cream, confetti sugar, s’mores, brownie batter and oatmeal chocolate chip, with vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options labeled.
More than a storefront brand. NoBaked has grown through pop-up shops, scoop shops, grocery stores, catering and nationwide shipping. Its site lists storefronts in Nashville, Chattanooga and Springfield, with a location coming to Bozeman, Montana. For a franchisee, that wider brand presence can help recognition, though each unit’s lender still underwrites its own local sales.
How lenders view the brand. A young franchise system with several small formats and no published investment figures means lenders lean on the borrower’s finances, the chosen format and a realistic local plan. The SBA listing helps by clearing the franchise agreement for SBA review.
NoBaked Cookie Dough Franchise Costs
NoBaked’s franchise page highlights a low initial investment but does not publish dollar amounts. Item 7 of the FDD is the only reliable source for each format’s range, so use the categories below to organize your questions and your loan request.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 states the fee and when it is due. Ask whether it differs by format or for additional units. Most buyers pay it from their own cash at signing.
Real estate and build-out (scoop shops)
A scoop shop needs leased retail space, counters, refrigerated display cases, sinks, electrical work, seating and the brand’s design. The franchisor says it helps with site selection and design. A landlord improvement allowance can reduce the amount you borrow.
Vehicles and carts
A food truck brings the cost of the vehicle, its build-out, refrigeration, generator or power supply, branding wrap and local permits. A cart is the smallest footprint, but it still needs refrigeration, signage and a place to operate, often under a host agreement or event permits.
Opening costs and working capital
Opening inventory of dough, packaging, training, grand opening support, insurance and funds for the first months belong in the budget. Item 7 includes an additional funds line for the initial period.
Total investment
Typical Item 7 categories for a dessert franchise like this include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements, or truck or cart purchase and build-out
- Refrigerated display cases, freezers and smallwares
- Signage, decor and vehicle wraps
- Point-of-sale technology
- Opening inventory, packaging and grand opening marketing
- Permits, licenses, deposits and insurance
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any marketing or brand fund contribution and other recurring fees. The franchisor says franchisees get full access to its cookie dough, so also study Item 8 to learn whether you must buy dough or ingredients from the franchisor or approved suppliers and how pricing is set. Product cost will be one of your largest expenses.
How lenders factor these in. Lenders build monthly cash flow by subtracting royalties, product purchases, labor, rent or vehicle costs and event fees from projected sales, then compare what remains with the loan payment. The company highlights low labor requirements, which can help, but lenders still want a realistic staffing plan for peak evenings and events.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
NoBaked’s franchise page does not publish minimum net worth or liquid capital. It says no foodservice experience is needed and that the brand is looking for passionate, community-driven entrepreneurs. Confirm financial requirements with the franchise team and in the FDD.
Support the franchisor describes. The company lists onboarding and training videos, in-person support at launch, site selection and design help, marketing templates and campaigns, grand opening support, an operations playbook with procedures, checklists, inventory systems and vendor contacts, and ongoing coaching. Lenders like seeing that support documented in your plan, especially for a first-time owner.
Ways to Own a NoBaked Cookie Dough Franchise
A scoop shop. The most traditional format, financed much like any small retail food build-out. Our page on franchise start-up financing explains how lenders approach new units.
A food truck. A mobile unit can follow events, campuses and neighborhoods. The truck itself can serve as collateral, which may make equipment or vehicle financing a fit.
A cart. The smallest format, suited to malls, events and pop-ups. A smaller NoBaked Cookie Dough franchise loan can mean a simpler structure, but lenders still want a clear plan for where the cart will operate.
Buying an existing unit. A resale brings actual sales history, which lenders prefer. Transfers require franchisor approval. See franchise restaurant acquisition financing.
Financing Options for a NoBaked Cookie Dough Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because NoBaked is on the SBA Franchise Directory, SBA 7(a) loans can fund build-out, a truck or cart, equipment and working capital, and in some structures the franchise fee.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit and cash may consider a conventional business loan, though lenders may ask for more equity from a young brand.
Equipment and vehicle financing. Display cases, freezers, a cart or a food truck can often be financed separately and secured by the asset. See restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A reserve or line can cover dough orders, packaging and payroll while sales ramp up and help fund holiday and catering demand. Learn more about restaurant working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on an existing unit. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and loan programs may limit how it is used.
SBA Loans for NoBaked Cookie Dough Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally need the brand on the directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to a franchisee. A listing clears the franchise relationship; it does not approve any borrower.
NoBaked’s listing. The directory lists “NoBaked Cookie Dough” under code S3288 with no additional notes. In plain English, the directory adds no brand-specific lease, lien or document conditions, so the lender moves on to its standard review of you and your project. Confirm the listing when you apply, because entries can change.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Most NoBaked projects, especially carts and trucks, will be far smaller.
Application tips. Prepare a personal financial statement, recent tax returns, a resume, the FDD, a lease, host agreement or vehicle quote, equipment quotes and monthly projections. Our SBA loan calculator can estimate payments for planning only; it is not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a NoBaked Cookie Dough Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement and typically require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders check the cash you have after the equity injection and opening costs, plus a reserve for a slow start.
Industry and management experience. The franchisor does not require foodservice experience, but lenders still weigh management and customer service background. Owners who plan to hire a manager should read about financing a semi-absentee franchise.
Business plan and projections. Model foot traffic or event bookings, average ticket, product and packaging costs, labor, rent or vehicle costs and royalties. Our article on writing a franchise business plan for an SBA loan shows lenders’ preferred format.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 21 and note whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations. See how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document.
Site, lease or route. For a shop, lenders want a lease term that covers the loan. For a truck or cart, they want to see where you will sell: permits, host agreements and a calendar of events.
Product, Shelf Life and Inventory
Edible cookie dough has an advantage many dessert concepts lack: the company says its dough lasts about six months refrigerated and up to a year frozen. That can reduce waste and let mobile units carry inventory between events. Owners still need reliable refrigeration, careful allergen handling, since the company notes its dough is made in shared kitchens, and a clear ordering rhythm with the franchisor. Financing dependable refrigeration protects both inventory and the lender’s collateral.
Multi-Unit Growth
The mix of formats creates a natural path: an owner can open a scoop shop, then add a cart or truck to reach events and nearby markets without a second lease. Lenders financing that growth look at the first unit’s actual results, remaining liquidity and combined debt service. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing covers how lenders approach expansion.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner with a cart. A buyer with no food background starts with a cart at a busy shopping center, financing the cart and equipment and keeping a cash reserve for slower weeks.
A truck for events. An owner builds a calendar of festivals, school events and corporate catering, and uses vehicle financing secured by the truck to preserve cash.
A shop plus a cart. After a strong first year in a scoop shop, an owner adds a cart. The lender reviews the shop’s actual results before approving the second loan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming “low initial investment” means a small loan without reading Item 7
- Choosing a mobile format without permits or host agreements lined up
- Ignoring required product purchases and pricing in Item 8
- Underbudgeting refrigeration and backup equipment
- Projecting holiday and event sales for every month
For more pitfalls, read the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your NoBaked Cookie Dough Franchise
Step 1: Contact the franchise team. Ask for the current FDD and the investment range for each format.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5 to 8 and 17 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Choose your format. Decide between a shop, truck or cart based on your market and budget.
Step 4: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn what a NoBaked Cookie Dough franchise loan could cover for that format.
Step 5: Secure your location or route. Line up a lease, host agreement or event calendar and permits.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit a complete package and coordinate closing with training and opening.
NoBaked Cookie Dough Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a NoBaked Cookie Dough franchise cost?
The franchisor does not publish its investment range online. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the range for each format.
What are the franchise fee and royalty?
Both are disclosed in Items 5 and 6 of the FDD.
Can I get an SBA loan for a NoBaked franchise?
Yes, the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3288 with no additional notes, so qualified borrowers may use SBA financing. Every loan is subject to approval.
Do I need restaurant experience?
The franchisor says no foodservice experience is needed. Lenders still look at your management background and plan.
Can I finance a food truck or cart separately?
Often, yes. Vehicle and equipment financing can be secured by the truck or cart itself.
Is the cookie dough safe to eat raw?
The company says its dough is made without eggs and with heat-treated flour so it can be eaten raw.
Can I own more than one unit?
Ask the franchise team about multi-unit rights. Mixing a shop with a cart or truck is one way owners may grow.
Does NoBaked offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD, which discloses any financing the franchisor offers.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Review Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
A NoBaked Cookie Dough franchise loan starts with one decision: shop, truck or cart. Buyers who get each format’s Item 7 range, line up their location or event calendar and plan for product costs and slower weeks give themselves the strongest case with lenders.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
