Crumbl, the Utah-based chain known for oversized cookies and a weekly rotating menu, has closed dozens of stores in 2026 as its sales have fallen sharply. The company is not shutting down: it still operates more than 1,000 locations, according to the Los Angeles Times. If you are wondering what happened to Crumbl, here is what has been reported about the closures, the sales decline and the company’s leadership.
Key facts
- Closures: At least 57 stores closed this year, a figure first reported by Restaurant Business and cited by the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and KUTV.
- Sales: August sales were 70% lower than two years earlier, according to company documents reviewed by Restaurant Business.
- Size: Crumbl listed 1,101 locations at the end of 2025, according to its franchise disclosure document.
- Not closing entirely: The chain has given no indication it will wind down, the Los Angeles Times reported.
What happened to Crumbl
Restaurant Business, a restaurant industry trade publication, reported earlier this month that at least 57 Crumbl locations had closed in 2026, while about 20 new stores had opened, according to KUTV, which cited that reporting. KUTV said Crumbl’s most recent franchise disclosure document listed 1,101 locations at the end of 2025, while Restaurant Business’ count of stores on the company’s website showed 1,064, a net decline of 37.
In an Oct. 19 follow-up, Restaurant Business reported that Crumbl had closed 65 shops since April 30 and opened 15, for 50 net closures, based on a comparison of the company’s website with a master list of locations the publication obtained. It said recent closures included stores in Melbourne, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Montgomery, Alabama.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Oct. 23 that seven California stores had closed: Westlake Village, Mira Mesa in San Diego, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Hanford, Ladera Ranch and Cupertino. The chain still has more than 100 California locations, the Times said.
Why sales are down
Restaurant Business reported that Crumbl’s August sales were down 70% compared with two years earlier, based on company documents it reviewed, and that September sales were down 50% over the same period. Other outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and KUTV, have cited that figure. KUTV noted it had not independently reviewed the document.
The company’s own franchise disclosure document showed average store sales of $1.14 million in 2025, down 16%, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. KUTV likewise reported that a typical location had more than $1.1 million in gross sales last year, a figure that does not account for expenses or profit.
Co-founder Jason McGowan acknowledged the challenges in an Oct. 9 LinkedIn post, according to Restaurant Business. “The restaurant industry is facing real headwinds right now, and Crumbl is no exception,” he wrote. “As a leader, I should have anticipated them sooner and adjusted our course. That is on me.”
Experts quoted by USA Today pointed to an overbuilt cookie market, the fad-like nature of specialty cookies and the rise of weight-loss medications. Robert Spendlove, senior economist at Zions Bank, told KUTV that higher prices for essentials can push consumers to cut “little luxuries.” A single Crumbl cookie costs about $5, according to the Los Angeles Times, and KUTV reported that a four-cookie box starts at $14.99.
The Los Angeles Times also reported that a push this year to promote “dirty sodas” did not catch on nationally. In a statement to Restaurant Business, the company said Dirty Sodas are in about 800 stores and that it is “continuing to build out our marketing efforts, including various initiatives and value bundles.”
Timeline
- 2017: Cousins Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley found Crumbl in Utah, according to the Los Angeles Times and Nation’s Restaurant News.
- End of 2025: Crumbl lists 1,101 locations in its franchise disclosure document, KUTV reported.
- May 11, 2026: The founders announce they will step away from day-to-day roles once new executives are found, Nation’s Restaurant News reported.
- Early October 2026: Restaurant Business reports at least 57 closures this year and a 70% drop in August sales versus two years earlier.
- Oct. 9: USA Today reports that rival Chip City Cookies is closing its last locations; McGowan posts about industry “headwinds.”
- Oct. 19: Restaurant Business counts 65 closures and 15 openings since April 30.
- Oct. 23: The Los Angeles Times reports seven California closures.
Who is running Crumbl?
Reports differ on the leadership status. Nation’s Restaurant News reported in May that McGowan would step down as CEO and Hemsley as chief brand officer once replacements were found through an open search, with McGowan remaining board chairman. The Los Angeles Times and USA Today have described the co-founders as having stepped down in May, while Restaurant Business still referred to McGowan as CEO in its Oct. 19 report. Crumbl has not publicly named a new CEO in the coverage reviewed for this article.
Why it matters
Crumbl grew into the largest cookie chain in the country within about six years, Restaurant Business reported. Its pullback is being watched as a sign of pressure on treat chains and other mid-priced restaurant concepts. Experts told USA Today that rival chains may shift toward smaller portions, fewer weekly flavors and cheaper bundles.
For customers, the practical effect is local: some neighborhoods have lost their nearest store, while most locations remain open.
What’s next
Crumbl has not responded to repeated requests for comment about the closures, according to Restaurant Business, KUTV and the Los Angeles Times. Open questions include whether more franchise stores will close, who will become the next CEO and whether value offers can lift sales. To check a specific store, use the location finder on Crumbl’s website or app. For more developing stories, visit our Trending News page.
FAQ
Is Crumbl going out of business?
No. Crumbl still has more than 1,000 locations and has given no indication it will wind down, the Los Angeles Times reported.
How many Crumbl stores have closed?
At least 57 this year, according to Restaurant Business. Its later count found 65 closures and 15 openings since April 30.
Why are Crumbl stores closing?
Reported reasons include a steep sales decline, an overbuilt cookie market and consumers cutting back on treats. Crumbl itself has pointed to industry “headwinds.”
Did the Crumbl founders leave?
In May, the founders said they would step away from day-to-day roles once new leaders were hired. Outlets differ on whether that transition is complete.
Which California Crumbl stores closed?
Westlake Village, Mira Mesa, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Hanford, Ladera Ranch and Cupertino, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Updated October 26, 2026