 | |
 Insomnia Cookies onUCLA's campus | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bakery |
| Founded | 2003 inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Founders | Seth Berkowitz and Jared Barnett |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia,Pennsylvania & New York,New York |
Number of locations | 265+ stores (2024) |
Area served | United States |
| Owner | Verlinvest Mistral Equity Partners |
| Website | insomniacookies |
Insomnia Cookies is a chain of bakeries primarily in theUnited States that specializes in delivering warmcookies, baked goods, and ice cream.[1][2] Based in New York and Philadelphia, it was started in 2003 by Jared Barnett and Seth Berkowitz, both students at theUniversity of Pennsylvania.[3] The company has more than 265 stores, mainly located throughout the continental U.S., with international locations in Canada and England.[4] Many stores are located in close proximity to university campuses and cater to students who want to order cookies late at night.
The company was co-founded by Jared Barnett and Seth Berkowitz in 2003 while attending theUniversity of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Berkowitz began baking and delivering cookies from a dorm room to students on campus late at night.[1] From there the concept of cookie delivery grew.[5] The first retail store opened in 2003 in Syracuse, New York.[6]
Insomnia Cookies is based in New York City and Philadelphia.[1] Insomnia Cookies bakeries are typically located near college and university campuses to target students who wish to order cookies past the closing time of traditional bakeries. Most stores are open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 a.m. Monday-Friday, and from noon until 3:00 a.m. on weekends.[7]
The company expanded throughout the continental U.S., opening its 100th store in 2016.[8]
In 2018Krispy Kreme, financed byJAB Holding Company, acquired Insomnia Cookies at a $175mm enterprise value; the company continued to operate independently.[9][10]
In April 2021, the company opened its first store with an experimental CookieLab section, a "cookiespeakeasy" that offers customizable cookies and a bar with milk and milkshake options.[11]
In June 2021, the company opened its 200th store inExton, Pennsylvania.[12]
In October 2023, the company partnered withUniversal Pictures andScott Cawthon Productions to release the 'Freddy Fazbear's Cookie Pizza' in promotion of theFive Nights at Freddy's movie.
In 2023 the company expanded to locations outside of the United States, with the first international bakeries inManchester, England andToronto, Canada.[13][14] More stores were opened in 2024 inOntario, and the company reached more than 265 locations in North America.[4]
In 2024,Krispy Kreme sold a majority stake in Insomnia Cookies—at a $350mm enterprise value—to Verlinvest and Mistral Equity Partners.[15]Krispy Kreme sold their remaining stake in 2025 for an additional $75mm.[16]
The company allegedly stole wages from at least 40 workers, according to the lawsuit. One worker claimed that a general manager allegedly called her "sneaky" and a "snake" for calling out the wage theft. The manager allegedly "scolded her for crying after she slipped and fell in the snow" and "put plastic spiders in her delivery bag", according to the lawsuit.[17]
Insomnia Cookies sells 17 types of classic cookies, includingvegan options, and a variety of deluxe cookies.[18] Other products includecookie cakes,brownies, milk,ice cream, andice cream sandwiches.[19]