New York City-based gourmet cookie chain Chip City Cookies is marking the start of a new school year in a crumby way.

As part of a Sept. 4 promotion, the brand’s nearly 50 locations across eight states will treat customers to a free cookie. To redeem the offer, guests must use the code BACKTOSCHOOL in the Chip City app.

Founded seven years ago in Astoria, Queens, Chip City offers a rotating menu of thick, fresh-baked cookies in a variety of unique flavors, like peanut butter & jelly, oatmeal apple pie, blueberry cheesecake, lemon berry and cannoli. The weekly menu features a mix of classics, seasonal treats and dairy-free options.

Within New Jersey, Chip City has outposts in Montclair, Hoboken and Ridgewood. A fourth shop is coming soon to Marlton.

As of May 2024, Chip City has raised $17.5 million in Series B funding from Enlightened Hospitality Investments, the growth equity fund associated with restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.

Chip City says it’s using the money for continued growth of its retail footprint, team and operations, as well as development of brand-building initiatives.

Besides providing Chip City with capital, EHI offers expertise in fast-casual retail operations, giving strategic and operational guidance in partnership with USHG. That group also operates popular restaurants like Union Square Café and Gramercy Tavern.

Chip City co-founder Peter Phillips recently celebrated the New Jersey debut of another concept he developed. Located in Montclair, Somedays Bakery serves premium croissants, soft-serve ice cream and La Colombe coffee. The store marks the second franchised site for the two-year-old brand.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:08 p.m. EST Sept. 4, 2025, to remove Shake Shack from a list of restaurants Union Square Hospitality Group operates.