How Insomnia Cookies Went From A Start-Up to a University Town Staple

If your town doesn’t have an Insomnia Cookies location, it soon might have one for you to enjoy a late-night snack.

As the name suggests, this is a bakery chain that specializes in items that could be cravings that college students have late at night while studying for tests or hanging out with friends. Until this chain began, students didn’t have very many places to go when they wanted a snack late at night. In fact, the only options that were offered typically revolved around heavy meals from Denny’s or IHOP, which are still an important part of late-night craving solutions.

This Chain Burst on the Scene

Any company that can go from a start-up to having more than 200 stores in less than twenty years is certainly bursting on the scene. This late-night bakery company began in 2003 by founder Seth Berkowitz, a student at the University of Pennsylvania. Today, this company has more than 200 locations around the country, with most of the stores located close to college campuses around the country, making it easy for students to order cookies and other baked goods late at night.

Krispy Kreme Merges with Insomnia Cookies

Whether you look at the merger as an acquisition by a larger brand or a true merger, two brands that deliver sugary delights of baked goods have been brought together to offer the right way for you to continue to enjoy cookies and donuts the way you want. Krispy Kreme purchased a majority stake in the cookie company, but both brands continue to operate independently to offer their unique experiences. These two brands are amazing at delivering on the cravings we might have, whether late at night or early in the morning.

The Perfect Solution for College Students

If you’ve ever been a college student, you know the struggles of pulling an all-nighter and when those cravings might hit and cause you to lose focus. When it’s two a.m. and you don’t know where to go to get a snack, the right choice for many students has become Insomnia Cookies. This bakery is open all night and makes it possible for you to have the snack you’re looking for. You can order items until three a.m. from most of the locations around the country and know that you’ll have a delicious treat headed your way.

The idea behind this cookie brand was a complete dislike for heavy foods late at night. What students need isn’t a full belly that will put them to sleep, but a quick fix to calm their cravings and give them a sugar rush that will add a bit of energy to their brains so they can continue to function for a few more hours. Delivering on this specific need is what brought Seth Berkowitz to create the cookie brand and begin to bring treats to those that were looking for a late-night fix that would help them continue to study.

From the Dorm to the Market

Seth wasn’t instantly a huge success, although less than twenty years later, there are more than 200 stores. The idea behind Insomnia Cookies began with Seth creating baked goods and delivering them to his friends from his dorm room at the University of Pennsylvania. The cookies filled a need, and he was able to open a business location in 2003, which became a company that has grown and thrived for many years.

Not Limited to Just Cookies

While the name tells you they offer cookies, when you order from one of these stores, you can get more than just some cookies if you’re looking for a sweet treat late at night. You’ll find cake, ice cream, cookie sandwiches with ice cream in the middle, and brownies. This list of items helps you enjoy the sweetness you want when you’re looking for a late-night fix.

Easier Ordering for App Users

Rather than call the local Insomnia Cookies location on the phone, you can simply download an app that makes it easy for you to place an order right off your phone. This is just another way that this company appeals to busy college students that would prefer to text and use apps than make phone calls. Once an order is placed, customers need to allow 30-45 minutes for delivery to take place, but most orders are delivered in less time.

You do have to purchase a minimum of $6 worth of snacks to have your order delivered, but that’s a pretty easy number to hit, which is another way this company appeals to college students. It’s well known that many college students don’t have much money, which makes it easy to use this company to get some delicious snacks late at night.

Enjoy the Rewards Programs

If the easy delivery, delicious treats, and the simple ordering process aren’t enough to appeal to you, the loyalty program might add more to your overall experience. The program is called the Cookie Dough loyalty program, and it’s offered on the app. For every $1 you spend, you earn one point. When you reach 100 points, you receive $10 worth of rewards to use at the store.

From the Dorm Room to the Corporate World

Do you live in a town with a college campus? If so, your town is likely a target for an Insomnia Cookies location if you don’t already have one. While the goal is to deliver sweet treats to college students pulling late-night study sessions, this company will also deliver to you, even if you’re not cramming or a final or putting together a college project.

Imagine being able to order brownies, cookies, or ice cream when you’re up late at night, and those cravings hit. You can place your order on the app and know that you’ve got some delicious, sweet treats on the way to your door. From the dorm room to fulfilling our late-night cravings, Insomnia Cookies is a huge hit and continues to grow to more college towns every year.