Edmond entrepreneurs turn cookies into dough for customers

When developing the business model for Cookie Advantage, Carns said they wanted it to be attractive to franchisees. Startups can expect an initial investment of less than $75,000 with the potential to make a six-figure income. Plus, it's a four-day workweek: they don't bake Fridays because they don't want cookies lingering at the post office over a weekend.

“We wanted an efficient model that would give the person a life beyond the business,” Carns said.

Franchisees are able to set up their location quickly. Carver's Edmond location was up and running in less than two months. Carns says for most, a staff consisting of a husband-and-wife team with one part-time employee is sufficient. The size of the locations is just 800 to 1,000 square feet, and there's very little equipment to set up.

Cookie Advantage has now shipped more than 20 million cookies. The company has more than 20 franchises nationwide and expects to add a dozen this year.

Carver said she was surprised by how well the business has done. She grossed more than $23,500 in sales and filled 1,100 orders in January, her third month in business, and is on track to gross $300,000 in her first year.