Nov. 4, 2022

Nestle Toll House Cafe by Chip will be replaced by Great American Cookies at The Empire Mall.

The cookie store is franchised by Lindsey and Micah Schliemann. Nestle’s cafe group recently was sold to Fat Brands, requiring it to rebrand as a new company.

“There are around 370 Great American stores open, and they have a wonderful support team for us to work with,” Lindsey Schliemann said.

“They have embraced our rebranding and are allowing us to continue selling ice cream and coffee, which normally isn’t offered at traditional cafes. They offer a wider variety of cookies and brownies, and will have featured seasonal cookies I’m very excited about. They also have a fun new look to their stores that I love. We think Great American will be a great fit for our family and a seamless transition for our customers.”

The cookie shop is near the Sanford Children’s play area, not far from the food court. The location was a Great American Cookie at the mall about five years ago under different ownership, Schliemann said.

Fat Brands, which has 17 other brands such as Fazoli’s and Hot Dog on a Stick, added Great American Cookies to its portfolio in 2021.

The Nestle cafe will close at the end of this weekend and reopen Tuesday as Great American Cookies. It will continue to offer same-day cookie cakes.