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The Smiley Cookie story began right here in Pennsylvania. Introduced in 1986, Smiley Cookies are celebrating 40 years of smiles! The inspiration came from our former chairman, Jim Broadhurst, who grew up in Titusville, a small town north of Pittsburgh. As a child, Jim would stop at Warner’s Bakery on his way home from school to buy a smiling, happy-faced cookie. Years later, Jim carried that feeling with him. With permission from Mr. Warner, he brought a smiling cookie to Eat’n Park, building bakeries in our Eat’n Park restaurants and giving each child a Smiley Cookie with their meal. Before long, adults wanted their own Smiley Cookies, and that simple gesture grew into a truly special tradition for guests of all ages. 

For four decades years, Smiley Cookies have been creating smiles far and wide. While they started as a sweet treat for kids, they’ve become a symbol of joy, care, and hospitality. Today, we bake nearly 7 million Smiley Cookies every year. Last year alone, SmileyCookie.com shipped about half a million Smiley Cookies to all 50 states, and even more were donated to support local community events. We believe a smile can go a long way, and that belief is what has made Smiley Cookies a Pennsylvania classic. 

We’re incredibly thankful to everyone who shares in the joy and nostalgia Smiley Cookies bring. Being part of the fabric of the communities where we live and work is something we are proud of, and this recognition reflects that commitment to our guests in Pennsylvania and beyond. Thank you for helping to name Smiley Cookies the “Coolest Thing Made in PA!” Here’s to 40 years of smiles, and many more to come.