Welcome back to The Cookie Craving Podcast! In this exciting second episode, Bang Cookies founder George Kuan (@georgekuan) and co-host Ankur K. Garg (@ankurkgarg) are joined by special guest Mike Smilovitch, George’s longtime friend and a key player in the Bang Cookies franchise expansion. Get ready for an episode packed with laughs, friendship, and, of course, cookies! In this episode, the trio reminisces about their college days, from George’s early baking attempts to wild road trips and late-night avocado snacks. Mike, now a successful franchise entrepreneur, shares how he helped guide Bang Cookies into the world of franchising, bringing his experience from finance and franchise ownership to the table. You’ll hear how their deep-rooted friendship helped fuel the success of Bang Cookies as it grows into new markets. Highlights of the Episode: 🍪 College Shenanigans: From Rutgers business school to eating seaweed-wrapped liver, George and Mike share hilarious stories of their college days, including how they managed to avoid trouble with border patrol (barely). 🍪 Mike’s Franchise Expertise: Mike talks about how his journey in finance led him to the world of franchises, eventually reconnecting with George to help expand Bang Cookies. Learn what goes into opening a Bang Cookies franchise and the secrets behind building a successful store. 🍪 Jersey Shore Expansion: Why Mike chose the Jersey Shore for his flagship store, complete with a special Instagram-worthy “I Got Banged” neon sign. Get the inside scoop on the grand opening and what’s in store for fans at the Shore. 🍪 Fitness Meets Cookies: Mike and George share their fitness tips and how they balance their love for cookies with staying in shape. Raw beef liver, anyone? 🍪 Franchise Tips & Tricks: Ever wondered what it takes to open a Bang Cookies franchise? Mike and George dive into the financials, build-out costs, and the importance of real estate, providing valuable advice for future franchisees. 🍪 Fundraising with Bang Cookies: George and Mike discuss how Bang Cookies is helping schools raise money with their unique fundraising program, offering up to 40% returns and delicious cookies to sell. Join us for another fun, insightful, and cookie-filled episode as we continue to explore the sweet world of Bang Cookies. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring special guests, cookie tastings, and behind-the-scenes stories! CONNECT WITH US Bang Cookies Website: https://www.bangcookies.com Fundraising Information: https://fundraise.bangcookies.com Follow us on Instagram: @bangcookies Stay tuned and keep craving those cookies! 🍪

Welcome to the debut episode of The Cookie Craving Podcast! Join us as we dive into the world of gourmet cookies with Bang Cookies' founder George Kuan (@georgekuan), the energetic podcast host Corey Bonalewicz (@iamcoreyb), and the newest member of the team, Chief Marketing Officer Ankur K. Garg (@ankurkgarg). In this episode, we embark on a delicious journey starting from humble beginnings to cookie stardom. George shares the hilarious origin story of Bang Cookies, from its cheeky initial name, "Bang Me Bakery," to its rapid success at farmers markets. Corey and Ankur bring the laughs with their witty banter, all while tasting some of the most indulgent cookies you’ve ever seen. Highlights of the Episode: 🍪 Meet the Team: Corey B introduces the charismatic founder George Kuan. Get to know Ankur Garg, the marketing whiz bringing fresh ideas and Jay-Z references to the table. 🍪 Cookie Tasting Extravaganza: Watch Ankur's reaction to his first bite of Bang Cookies’ famous creations, including the giant Cookies and Cream and the rich Triple Chocolate cookie. Corey’s favorite? The legendary Sea Salt Chocolate Chip, of course! 🍪 The Hilarious Origin Story: Discover how a quirky name like "Bang Me Bakery" drew crowds at the farmers market and why it had to be changed. George's tales of early challenges and sweet victories. 🍪 The Ingredients That Matter: Learn about Bang Cookies' commitment to using premium, organic ingredients like Peruvian cocoa powder and organic macadamia nuts. Why these cookies are not just delicious but also made with care for health-conscious consumers. 🍪 Fundraising with Cookies: How Bang Cookies is revolutionizing school fundraisers, offering up to 40% returns and making it easy for kids to sell cookies through personalized online pages. Hear inspiring stories of schools raising significant funds quickly and easily. 🍪 Expansion and Future Plans: Exciting news about new locations, including a potential store in Las Vegas and a corporate location in Brooklyn. Plans for franchising and the introduction of delicious cookie milkshakes. 🍪 Corey’s Influencer Impact: Corey’s first viral post that sold over 1,000 boxes in 24 hours. The importance of genuine influencer partnerships and how it transformed Bang Cookies’ marketing strategy. Join us for a fun, insightful, and mouth-watering episode as we kick off this new podcast series. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring special guests, cookie reviews, and insider stories from Bang Cookies. CONNECT WITH US Bang Cookies Website https://www.bangcookies.com/ Fundraising Information https://fundraise.bangcookies.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @bangcookies Follow Corey: @iamcoreyb Follow George: @georgekuan Follow Ankur: @ankurkgarg Stay tuned and keep craving those cookies!