Cookie Bar celebrates first birthday with 850,000 cookies sold

The world’s first Cookie Bar in Queenstown is celebrating its first birthday and a hugely successful year of business – with 850,000 cookies sold and thousands of litres of fresh milk dispensed from its ‘beer’ tap.

Cookie Time Limited's first retail store opened in the centre of the resort town on May 17 2010, a showcase outlet designed as a world-class retail experience that incorporates experiences for all five senses. Aside from delicious tastes and smells, there is a life size interactive Cookie Muncher, touch screen photo booth and state-of-the-art sound system. Hot cookies and milk are nostalgically served alongside a full complement of company products.

Birthday celebrations today include hot, freshly-baked cookies at just $1, a children’s colouring competition and loads of other specials.

Cookie Time Queenstown Manager Verity Richard said the plan was to make the first birthday the biggest selling cookie day of the year.

“It’s a full-on 12-hour birthday celebration from 9am to 9pm and we hope to see hundreds of people queuing for their hot cookies throughout the day. We’ll also have some Cookie Muncher ‘super specials’ all day and a great day of fun.” she says.

Founded in 1983, Cookie Time Limited is an entrepreneurial, innovation-led food company. Its business includes franchised distribution and retail, licensing and manufacturing operations.

Headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, the company is actively focused on international franchise and licensing opportunities.

Committed to quality, operational excellence and ongoing growth, this successful iconic company has a substantial portfolio which includes some of New Zealand’s most loved cookie brands, and innovations such as gluten-free cookies, and Smart Cookies with the National Heart Foundation tick. It also makes Bumper Bars and the world-first meal bar One Square Meal – a breakthrough bar that delivers one third of daily nutritional requirements.

The company employs more than 80 full time staff at its Christchurch head office, factory and food science laboratory. In addition, more than 40 independent franchisees distribute Cookie Time products to 7000 resellers throughout New Zealand.

Aside from the Queenstown Cookie Bar, the company also has an outlet shop outside its Christchurch factory, a landmark site with its distinctive giant cookies frontage. Head office and a purpose-built food science laboratory are also based here.