Crumbl started as a family-owned business, co-founded by USU alumnus Sawyer Hemsley, ’18, and his cousin, Jason McGowan, as part of a quest to make and sell the perfect chocolate chip cookie. From testing each individual ingredient to learning the science of baking, the pair invested unlimited time into the journey. Since the first location was opened in Logan, Utah — while Hemsley was finishing his degree — the business has grown to more than 200 bakeries throughout the U.S. with more than 3,500 employees.
Customer service and satisfaction has been crucial to the company’s growth, according to the two. Each location shows the kitchen, complete with employees mixing, prepping, baking, and packaging the cookies in real time, and the company welcomes suggestions on improvements as well as possible flavors to offer. During the same time, the menu has expanded beyond the offerings of a 6 oz. chocolate chip cookies and single-serving milks to include a weekly rotating menu of four additional gourmet flavors, plus a family recipe of pink frosted sugar cookies and miniature options.
Crumbl has gained more than 1 million followers on Instagram and 2 million on TikTok as customers find the of big cookies packaged in bright pink boxes in the last four years, and new locations can be found in 32 states. The cookies can be ordered in-person, on the phone, online, or through the Crumbl app, and can be shipped where there isn’t a location nearby.
Originally from Preston, Idaho, Sawyer Hemsley moved to Logan, Utah in 2012 to attend Utah State University. Sawyer has always loved working with people and originally wanted to be a news anchor or event organizer. He also came from a family who not only love cookies but is known for eating them warm right from the oven every Sunday. Lucky for him, Sawyer’s passion for cookies and people led to the beginning of the cookie empire, Crumbl Cookies, in 2017. A year later, he earned his bachelor’s degree at USU in communication studies with minors in marketing and multimedia development. Community has always been extremely important to Sawyer, and he made the most of his USU experience by serving with USUSA and the A-Team. He also ran for student body president during his senior year. While he may have lost the election, he started Crumbl a few months later and now counts it as a blessing disguise!
Today, Sawyer sits as Crumbl’s COO and company visionary. He credits his family and growing up with a strong emphasis on work ethic for his success. When not baking up the world’s best cookies, Sawyer enjoys cycling, interior design, gardening, reading, and music. Sawyer is forever grateful for USU and the residents of Cache Valley for helping him get his start in supporting his venture.
Alumni '18