Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery Build on Global Growth with Development Deal in Iraq

Rhea-AI Summary

FAT (NASDAQ: FAT) announced a development deal dated October 22, 2025 to open 10 co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery stores in Iraq over the next five years with operator Eric Wilson, a 27-year U.S. military veteran who served in Iraq. The company noted it already has seven locations in Iraq and owns 18 restaurant brands with more than 2,300 units worldwide. The agreement expands FAT’s international footprint and targets heightened demand for American brands in Iraq while noting forward-looking risks tied to timing and execution.

Positive

• 10-store co-branded development deal in Iraq over five years
• Adds to 7 existing FAT locations in Iraq to expand footprint
• Company owns 18 brands and > 2,300 units worldwide

Negative

• None.

Insights

Global Franchise Development Analyst

FAT Brands secures a 10-unit co-branded development deal in Iraq, expanding its regional footprint over the next five years.

FAT Brands will open 10 co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery stores in Iraq with a local operator who is a U.S. military veteran, building on the company's existing seven locations there. The deal leverages branded franchising and co-branding to share real estate and operating costs, while tapping reported local demand for American concepts.

Key dependencies and risks include successful site selection, permitting and local operational execution, plus the usual uncertainties tied to opening timelines and franchisee performance. The press release notes a target rollout over the next five years, which spreads capital and execution risk but delays revenue realization. Watch openings cadence, store-level KPIs, and any disclosed financial commitments or franchising terms over the five-year horizon to judge execution and revenue impact.

U.S. Military Veteran to Open 10 Stores in Country over Next Five Years

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery, and 16 other restaurant concepts, has announced a new development deal to open 10 co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery stores across Iraq over the next five years in partnership with Eric Wilson, a 27-year U.S. military veteran who served in Iraq.

“FAT Brands continues to build a strong presence in Iraq with seven locations to date, and we are committed to expanding our footprint in the country further with the launch of Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery,” said Taylor Wiederhorn, Chief Development Officer of FAT Brands. “With a heightened demand for American brands in Iraq, we are confident we will experience sweet success, especially with a committed operator like Eric who served in Iraq.”

Since 1977, Great American Cookies has baked up a reputation for not only being the creator of the Original Cookie Cake, but also for its famous chocolate chip cookie recipe. Other craveable menu items include brownies and Double Doozies^™, made with delectable icing sandwiched between two cookies.

For over 40 years, Marble Slab Creamery has been an innovator in the ice cream space, dreaming up the frozen slab technique and offering homemade, small-batch Ice Cream with always free Mix-Ins, Shakes in a variety of flavors, and Ice Cream Cakes.

For more information on Great American Cookies, visit www.greatamericancookies.com. For more information on Marble Slab Creamery, visit www.marbleslab.com.

About FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands

FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT) is a leading global franchising company that strategically acquires, markets, and develops fast casual, quick-service, casual dining, and polished casual dining concepts around the world. The Company currently owns 18 restaurant brands: Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Twin Peaks, Great American Cookies, Smokey Bones, Hot Dog on a Stick, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Native Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses, and franchises and owns over 2,300 units worldwide. For more information on FAT Brands, please visit fatbrands.com.

About Great American Cookies

Founded on a family chocolate chip cookie recipe in 1977, Great American Cookies believes that pure, simple delight is part of living a full life. Serving the Original Cookie Cake, fresh baked cookies in a variety of flavors, brownies, and Double Doozies^™, we promise to treat you to bites of bliss that prove how sweet life can be. With more than 400 bakeries across the country and internationally in Bahrain, Guam, Saudi Arabia, and treats available to ship right to your door, the sweet spot is always close to home. For more information, visit www.greatamericancookies.com.

About Marble Slab Creamery

Since dreaming up the frozen slab technique and serving fresh homemade, small-batch Ice Cream in-store since 1983, Marble Slab Creamery has always known how to dream big. We sprinkle our customers with imagination and promise to inspire with infinite ice cream possibilities to feed your curiosity and capture cravings. With our free unlimited Mix-in philosophy, delicious Ice Cream and Shakes in a variety of flavors, hand-rolled waffle cones, and Ice Cream Cakes, imagination has no limits. Today, Marble Slab Creamery is enjoyed by consumers across the globe with locations in Bahrain, Canada, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico, and the United States. For more information, visit www.marbleslab.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the timing and performance of new store openings and area development agreements. Forward-looking statements reflect expectations of FAT Brands Inc. (“we” or “our”) concerning the future and are subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies. These factors are difficult to predict and beyond our control, and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We refer you to the documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as our reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, for a discussion of these and other factors. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Erin Mandzik, FAT Brands
emandzik@fatbrands.com
860-212-6509

FAQ

What did FAT (NASDAQ: FAT) announce on October 22, 2025 about Iraq expansion?

FAT announced a development deal to open 10 co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery stores in Iraq over five years.

Who will operate the new FAT stores in Iraq under the October 22, 2025 deal?

The rollout will be operated by Eric Wilson, a 27-year U.S. military veteran who served in Iraq.

How many FAT locations does the company have in Iraq before the new 2025 deal?

FAT reported it currently has 7 locations in Iraq prior to the new agreement.

How will the 10-store development affect FAT’s international presence?

The 10-store commitment is intended to expand FAT’s footprint in Iraq and build on existing American brand demand.

What brands are included in the October 22, 2025 FAT development deal for Iraq?

The deal covers co-branded stores for Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery.

Does FAT disclose risks related to the Iraq store openings in the October 22, 2025 announcement?

Yes; FAT included standard forward-looking language noting timing and performance of new store openings are subject to business, economic and competitive risks.