Cookie Time says it's risen again despite difficulties

Cookie Time managing director Lincoln Booth. Photo / Supplied

Cookie Time has bounced back quickly from the February 22 earthquake but some of its franchisees and the stores they sell to have been hit hard, the company says.

Cookie Time was closed for only three working days, opening its doors the Monday after the quake to staff who wanted, and were able to, work.

Managing director Lincoln Booth said the company had been working hard to return to a normal production cycle but a drop in sales for Canterbury and the closure of dairies selling its product was taking its toll on Cookie Time franchisees. Booth said two Christchurch-based franchisees had lost 66 per cent of their business.

"They don't only deliver Cookie Time but they own the products. They deliver to supermarkets and dairies. But many retail outlets in the eastern suburbs and the CBD have been destroyed. Small convenience stores and supermarkets don't exist any more."

Booth said despite the slump in Christchurch, Cookie Time had been selling well in other parts of the country. Its One Square Meal, which was provided to search-and-rescue teams during the recovery, had been doing particularly well.

"People under stress and pressure like chocolate. The cookies have been selling well. One Square Meal is a product that has had tremendous growth.

"There has been a consumer shift to ... a lot of impulse buying. The franchisees here have been heavily hit but we are working with them."

The factory, in Templeton, received minimal damage in September and in February, and managed to replenish its 42 franchisees' stocks and donate 25,000 cookies to volunteers and the public during the first week after the February quake.

The factory was closed for a short period while engineers strengthened the walls and ceiling.

Booth told the Herald last month that despite all the tragedy the earthquakes had brought the company closer together.

"They [the staff] represent the spirit of Christchurch and just want to get their city back up and running."