Dirty Dough is a fast-growing cookie franchise specializing in gourmet cookies with a streamlined franchise model. The brand simplifies operations by producing and distributing pre-made cookie dough to its franchisees, enabling them to focus on customer experience. Dirty Dough’s unique approach, coupled with bold marketing, has made it a major player in the gourmet cookie industry.
Bennett Maxwell is an entrepreneur known for his ability to scale businesses rapidly. After purchasing Dirty Dough in 2021, Bennett turned the single-location operation into a national franchise. His expertise in sales, branding, and overcoming challenges has made him a sought-after figure in the franchise industry. Bennett now focuses on franchise sales as part of Craveworthy Brands, where he continues to apply his innovative strategies.
Vertical integration, simplified operations for franchisees, and leveraging PR and social media for brand visibility.
By using humor and bold marketing strategies, we turned the lawsuit into an opportunity to gain public support and media coverage.
The low operational complexity, centralized cookie production, and affordable startup costs make it accessible to a wider audience.
Advisors brought critical industry insights and experience, helping us navigate franchising, operations, and strategic decisions.
I wanted to focus on my strengths in franchise sales and let an experienced team at Craveworthy Brands take the company to the next level.
Vertical integration, simplified operations for franchisees, and leveraging PR and social media for brand visibility.
By using humor and bold marketing strategies, we turned the lawsuit into an opportunity to gain public support and media coverage.
The low operational complexity, centralized cookie production, and affordable startup costs make it accessible to a wider audience.
Advisors brought critical industry insights and experience, helping us navigate franchising, operations, and strategic decisions.
I wanted to focus on my strengths in franchise sales and let an experienced team at Craveworthy Brands take the company to the next level.
Company Stats
- Revenue: $13 million
- Locations: 80+ opened locations with 450+ franchises sold.
- Employees: 100
- Founded: 2018
Episode Highlights
✅ Dirty Dough achieves 100x growth in two years by vertically integrating manufacturing and simplifying franchise operations.
✅ Responding creatively to lawsuits can turn challenges into opportunities for massive brand visibility and sales growth.
✅ Scaling franchises effectively involves leveraging advisors, social media, and compelling business models for wider audience appeal.
Episode Summary
In this episode, Bennett Maxwell, the former owner and operator of Dirty Dough, shares his journey of acquiring and scaling the cookie franchise to extraordinary heights. Under his leadership, Dirty Dough achieved a remarkable 100x revenue growth in just two years, expanding from one location to over 80 with 450+ franchises sold. Bennett credits this growth to innovative strategies like vertical integration, which simplified franchise operations by centralizing cookie production and logistics.
Bennett dives into his approach to overcoming challenges, including a high-profile lawsuit with Crumble, which ultimately fueled brand awareness and boosted franchise sales. By leveraging humor and public support, Dirty Dough transformed adversity into a competitive advantage. Bennett also discusses his exit from Dirty Dough and his new role in franchise sales, reflecting his passion for scaling businesses through effective sales strategies.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:21 Company Stats
01:36 Acquisition and Scaling Strategy
02:51 Franchising Journey
06:34 The Crumble Lawsuit
09:16 Exit and New Ventures
10:27 Connect with Dirty Dough
Get in Touch
Have questions or ready to take the next step? Connect with us directly—whether you’re interested in our services, want to collaborate, or have feedback. We’re here to help you succeed.