Update (Oct. 24, 2026): Crumbl’s closures have kept coming since we first published this on Oct. 9. We’ve added the newest counts, the $1.99 value combo that launched Oct. 23 and what to watch next.
Quick answer: As of Oct. 24, 2026, Crumbl is still shrinking but not going out of business. Restaurant Business counted 65 closures and 15 openings since April 30, a net loss of 50 stores. More than 1,000 Crumbl shops remain open. To win back customers, Crumbl launched a $1.99 cookie-and-soda combo on Oct. 23.
Crumbl in 2026: timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Jan. 2026 | Crumbl starts the year with 1,101 locations, per Restaurant Business. |
| May 11 | Co-founders Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley say they will step back from daily roles; a search for outside executives begins. |
| August | Sales reportedly fall 70% below August 2024. Placer.ai data shows foot traffic down 32% from a year earlier. |
| September | Sales still about 50% below 2024 levels; median store profit of $1,832 for the month, per Restaurant Business. |
| Oct. 1 | Restaurant Business counts at least 57 closures so far in 2026. |
| Early October | CEO McGowan tells franchise owners he takes responsibility for the downturn, KSL reports. |
| Oct. 19–20 | New count: 65 closures and 15 openings since April 30. |
| Oct. 23 | The $1.99 Chocolate Chip Thin and Dirty Soda combo goes on sale. |
Crumbl Cookies, the pink-box chain that took over TikTok, is shrinking across the U.S. At least 57 Crumbl stores have closed so far in 2026, according to an October report from Restaurant Business, and dozens more franchises are listed for sale. Here is what is happening, the numbers behind it, and what it means if your local Crumbl is on the list.
Key numbers
- 57+ Crumbl locations closed in 2026 so far.
- 55+ franchises listed for sale on broker websites.
- 32% drop in foot traffic year over year in August (Placer.ai).
- $1.14 million: average sales per store in 2025, down from a $1.84 million peak in 2022.
- 1,000+ Crumbl stores still open nationwide.
📱 In a hurry? Swipe through our quick Web Story on this.
Why are Crumbl stores closing?
The short answer: fewer customers and lower sales per store. Placer.ai data cited by TheStreet shows Crumbl foot traffic fell 32% year over year in August 2026. Some franchisees called August the “worst month in company history,” with sales reported to be 70% lower than two years earlier.
Crumbl grew fast, from one shop in Logan, Utah, to more than 1,000 stores. But as more stores opened, each one sold less. Its weekly rotating menu, which once drove long lines, now competes with copycat cookie shops and grocery-store versions. Higher costs for butter, sugar, labor and rent squeeze franchise owners too.
| Year | Average sales per store |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $1.27 million |
| 2021 | $1.69 million |
| 2022 | $1.84 million (peak) |
| 2023 | $1.16 million |
| 2024 | $1.36 million |
| 2025 | $1.14 million |
Source: Restaurant Business / KUTV reporting on Crumbl franchise data.
Which Crumbl locations have closed?
Most closures are decisions by individual franchise owners, so they are spread across the country. Recent examples reported in local news include:
- Paso Robles, California: the Theatre Drive shop closed without notice.
- Easton, Columbus, Ohio: equipment is being auctioned online through Oct. 15.
- St. Matthews, Kentucky: the franchise owners filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, with more than $352,000 in liabilities.
- Vienna, Virginia: the chain’s first Virginia store closed in September after six years.
Because each franchise decides on its own, check Crumbl’s app or the store’s page before you drive over.
Leadership changes and layoffs
The closures come during a reported restructuring. Co-founders Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley announced in May that they would step back from day-to-day roles, and Crumbl has reportedly laid off workers, though it has not released figures. Some successful franchisees are still opening new stores, so the brand is not disappearing; it is shrinking to fit lower demand.
What it means for customers and franchise buyers
- Gift cards and rewards: use them at another open location; check balances in the Crumbl app.
- Thinking of buying a franchise? With 55+ listed for sale, buyers may find lower prices, but study the falling sales trend and get independent financial advice first.
- Fans of the weekly menu: the rotating flavors continue at open stores.
Crumbl is not alone. Other chains, including Starbucks, are rethinking store formats as customers spend more carefully. Read more: Starbucks tests smaller stores and why Americans worry about a market correction.
The $1.99 combo: what you get
Crumbl’s new value deal pairs a large Chocolate Chip Thin cookie with a 24-ounce zero-sugar Dirty Soda for $1.99. Crumbl’s ad says the two items total 170 calories.
The deal started Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Crumbl has not said how long it will last.
One catch: not every store can offer it. Restaurant Business reported that about 300 Crumbl locations lack the equipment to make Dirty Sodas. Some owners pushed back on the cost, which reportedly runs up to $50,000 a store.
Check the Crumbl app before you go to see if your store has the combo.
Why some owners can’t just close
Closing a Crumbl is expensive for a franchise owner. Restaurant Business, citing operators and Crumbl’s franchise disclosure documents, reported these terms:
- A $10,000 “de-identification fee” if a store closes without quickly removing Crumbl signs.
- $500 a day on top of that until the signs come down.
- Claims for “liquidated damages” if a closure is not approved by the company.
That helps explain why so many franchises are listed for sale instead of simply shutting. More than 55 were on broker websites as of early October.
Who is affected, and how
| Group | What the closures mean |
|---|---|
| Customers | Fewer nearby stores, more driving, and a risk of unused gift card balances at closed shops. |
| Franchise owners | Falling sales, costly equipment upgrades and steep fees if they close without approval. |
| Store workers | Lost jobs or fewer hours when a location shuts. Most Crumbl stores are run by franchisees, not the company. |
| Headquarters staff | Reported layoffs at the Lindon, Utah, headquarters; Crumbl has not released a number. |
| Shopping centers | Empty storefronts, often in busy suburban strip malls. |
The pattern is common in fast-growing franchise chains. Stores open quickly while demand is hot. When the trend cools, each store sells less, and the weakest locations close first. That is what analysts have described at Crumbl since sales peaked in 2022.
Also read: Why are small businesses struggling in 2026? The bigger picture behind store closures.
What happens next: what to watch
- New leadership. McGowan has said a new CEO is coming soon, along with a new CFO and head of marketing, Entrepreneur reported. No names had been announced as of Oct. 24.
- Holiday sales. November and December are big months for dessert shops. Weak holiday traffic could push more owners to sell.
- The value push. If the $1.99 combo brings customers back, expect more low-price deals.
- More closures. With dozens of franchises for sale, more closures are likely. That is our read of the reporting, not a company forecast.
Tips for Crumbl customers
- Use rewards and gift cards soon. Spend balances at an open store rather than letting them sit.
- Check hours in the app. Closures can happen with little notice.
- Watch for deals. The $1.99 combo is the chain’s cheapest offer we’ve seen this year.
Here’s a made-up example: Jen has a $25 Crumbl gift card from a birthday. Her nearest store closed in September. She checks the app, finds another shop 15 minutes away and uses the card there the same week. She doesn’t wait to see if that store closes too.
Want the cookies for less? Bake them at home
Big, soft “gourmet” cookies are easy to make at home with a few basic tools. A cookie scoop keeps them the same size, and a heavy baking sheet helps them bake evenly.
Recommended products
- Large cookie scoop – Same-size bakery-style cookies.
- Aluminum half-sheet pans – Even baking, easy cleanup.
- Cookie cookbooks – Recipes for big, soft cookies.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Nexgen Headlines earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability can change.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crumbl going out of business?
No. Crumbl still has more than 1,000 stores. But at least 57 have closed in 2026 and more than 55 franchises are for sale.
Why is Crumbl closing stores?
Foot traffic and average sales per store have dropped sharply since 2022, while costs have risen for franchise owners.
How many Crumbl stores closed in 2026?
At least 57 as of an October 2026 report by Restaurant Business. Some outlets put the number closer to 60.
How do I know if my Crumbl is closing?
Check the Crumbl app or the store listing. Closures are decided by individual franchisees and can happen quickly.
Sources: TheStreet, KUTV (citing Restaurant Business), Inc., Hoodline (Easton closure), FFXnow (Vienna closure).
Bottom line
Crumbl is not disappearing, but it is getting smaller fast. Sales and traffic have dropped sharply since 2024, and dozens of stores have closed since spring. A $1.99 combo and a coming leadership change are the company’s answer. If you love Crumbl, check the app before you drive over and use your gift cards soon.
Last reviewed: Oct. 24, 2026
Sources (update): Restaurant Business – A cookie empire is starting to crumble; Restaurant Business – Crumbl prepares a value offer; TheStreet – Crumbl introduces $1.99 combo; KSL; Entrepreneur; Nation’s Restaurant News; KTLA.
