Great American Cookies® Hosts Second Annual Reading is SWEET!™ National Book Drive

ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Great American Cookies announced today that it is hosting its second annual Reading is SWEET!™ National Book Drive to benefit local libraries and charities across the country. The company, which created the program in 2010 to celebrate October as National Cookie Month and National Book Month, collected more than 7,000 books during the program's first year. Great American Cookies is managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.

The 2011 Reading is SWEET! National Book Drive kicks off on October 1 with a FREE Original Chocolate Chip cookie giveaway from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at participating Great American Cookies locations.  Throughout October, customers can receive a free cookie of their choice by donating a new or gently read book at their local Great American Cookies store*.  All books collected at each store will be offered as a donation to a local branch of the public library or a local charity.  More information on the program, including a list of participating stores, is available at www.GreatAmericanCookies.com.    

Grammy Award winning, platinum recording artist Michelle Branch has also signed on to help Great American Cookies promote the event through a nationwide radio media tour on September 29. Branch's newest highly anticipated third solo album, "West Coast Time," is scheduled for release this fall.

"I'm excited to work with Great American Cookies and am looking forward to helping help spread the word about this great annual program," said Branch. "I believe that books open the door to a world of possibilities and that all begins with literacy and access to books through community libraries."

"Last year's Reading is SWEET program was a huge success thanks to the efforts of our store owners, customers and community partners," added Jenn Johnston, chief marketing & operations officer for GFG Management, LLC. "We're excited to continue the event for 2011 and can't wait to see how many books we can collect and how many cookies we can give away!"

Customers can stay up to date on all of Great American Cookies' new products and promotions by becoming a fan on Facebook® (www.facebook.com/greatamericancookies), following the brand on Twitter® (www.twitter.com/Gr8AmCookies) or by joining Great American Cookies' e-mail fan club (CookiE-mail) at www.GreatAmericanCookies.com.  

*Limit one cookie per guest per day during the promotion. Counts vary by store. Valid only at participating U.S. stores. No purchase necessary. No cash value.

About Great American Cookies® (www.greatamericancookies.com)

Founded in 1977 on the strength of an old family chocolate chip cookie recipe, Great American Cookies has set the standard for gourmet cookie sales in a fun, celebratory environment. For over 30 years, Great American Cookies has maintained the heritage and integrity of its products by producing proprietary cookie dough exclusively from its plant in Atlanta. Great American Cookies is known for its signature Cookie Cakes, trademark flavors and menu of delectable products baked fresh in store. Great American Cookies currently operates in mall-based locations across the United States, as well as internationally in Bahrain, Chile, Guam, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

About Global Franchise Group, LLC (www.globalfranchise.com)

Global Franchise Group, LLC is a strategic brand management company with a focus on franchising. The company owns a portfolio of franchise brands that includes four quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise concepts: Great American Cookies®, MaggieMoo's®, Marble Slab Creamery®, Pretzelmaker® as well as two retail franchise concepts: TAF® and Shoebox New York®. The brands are managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group, LLC. Global Franchise Group, LLC is an affiliate of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, an independent investment firm, with $5 billion of capital under management and substantial franchise management experience.

SOURCE Great American Cookies