Who Owns Girl Scout Cookies?

The first known sale of Girl Scout cookies occurred in 1917, when Girl Scouts in Muskogee, Oklahoma, baked and sold homemade cookies to raise funds for their troop. This grassroots fundraising effort proved so successful that it became a signature program of Girl Scouts USA. Throughout the early 20th century, cookie sales evolved from homemade products to commercially manufactured cookies.

By the 1930s, Girl Scout councils began partnering with commercial bakeries to produce cookies at scale. The program expanded significantly during the mid-20th century, becoming a beloved American tradition. In 1978, Girl Scouts USA formalized the program by establishing relationships with two national bakeries—ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers—to ensure consistent quality and availability across regions.

The cookie program has continuously evolved, introducing new flavors and varieties while maintaining iconic products like Thin Mints and Samoas. In recent years, Girl Scout Cookies have expanded beyond traditional door-to-door sales to include online ordering, cookie booths at retail locations, and digital payment options. The program remains one of the largest girl-led entrepreneurial initiatives in the world.