TikTok loves Crumbl Cookies, and that is apparent due to their 2.7 Million followers on the platform. Crumbl opened a location this past July in Winston-Salem, and it has become a hit with customers returning week after week to sample the new flavors. There are over 200 locations across the nation so far, and the chain brand cookie company is continuing to grow. However, does Crumbl really deserve the TikTok hype?

Crumbl Cookies features over 100 flavors that rotate out each week, with 4-5 different ones being on the menu at a time. The only constant is their Milk Chocolate Chip cookie which is always on the menu. Some popular and unusual flavors include Neapolitan, Pumpkin Pie, and Birthday Cake. With that being said, imagine buying a bizarre flavored cookie that you end up loving, and then realizing it won’t be on the menu again for months. Though the concept of a rotating menu is interesting in theory, customers may be disappointed by having to wait long periods of time for their favorite flavor to be back in the rotation.

The average store-bought chocolate chip cookie has about 80 calories in it. Crumbl Cookie’s “Famous” Milk Chocolate Chip Cookie has 550 calories. Yep, 550 calories in just one cookie. Is that intake really worth the lack of enjoyable taste? The cookies themselves are most commonly dry or tough, with the frosting being too sweet in comparison. Additionally, their large size is intimidating. If you are hoping to taste test that week’s menu by purchasing the four-pack of flavors, it is unlikely that you will be able to finish all the cookies in the box.

At Crumbl, a single cookie is sold for $3.48, and a pack of four is sold for $11.18. That is expensive pricing for moderate cookies. Compare Crumbl’s prices to those at local small business Baked Just SO who has two locations, Robinhood Village Shopping Center and Lewisville Shopping Center. A two-pack of Chocolate Chip Cookies costs $2.75, and different cookie pies and sandwiches cost $4.00 at most (those variations feature two cookies AND ice cream in between). If you really want to get your money’s worth on a tasty cookie, go support a local small business like Baked Just SO, whose quality is top tier!

Overall, Crumbl is a chain-brand cookie company that can’t beat the deliciousness of a small business’ cookie, or even a homemade one. Though their arrival in Winston-Salem was exciting, their performance has been underwhelming. Therefore, instead of spending your money on a large, overpriced cookie, I recommend supporting one of our many local small businesses. In their bakeries, you will never be disappointed.