What is the Famous Amos Story?
The Famous Amos story began in 1975 at a bakery on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Inspired by a delectable family recipe, founder Wally Amos perfected the ultimate chocolate chip cookie. He used only the best ingredients to make his bite-size cookies. Their delicious homemade signature helped them gain fame just by word of mouth.
Who is the founder of Famous Amos cookies?
Famous Amos is a brand of cookies founded in Los Angeles in 1975 by Wally Amos, a former talent agent with William Morris Agency. Wallace "Wally" Amos was born in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, on July 1, 1936.
Who is Famous Amos owner Wally Amos?
African American entrepreneur Wally Amos founded the Famous Amos cookie brand. He also worked as a talent agent and discovered Simon & Garfunkel. Who Is Wally Amos? Wally Amos was born on July 1, 1936, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Is Famous Amos owned by Kellogg's?
The brand is a part of Kellogg's. There is a sign commemorating the first Famous Amos store in Los Angeles, located at West Sunset Boulevard and North Formosa Avenue in Hollywood. Wally Amos has created another brand of cookie called "Chip and Cookie", named after two characters he created in the 1980s.
Who owns Famous Amos now?
Today, Famous Amos is an international brand you can find in most grocery stores. In April 2019, its current owner, Kellogg Company, announced plans to sell Famous Amos, the Keebler brand and its fruit snacks business to Ferrero for $1.4 billion.
What happened to the founder of Famous Amos cookie company?
The man who created the Famous Amos cookie empire and eventually lost ownership of the company — as well as the rights to use the catchy name — is now running a modest cookie shop in Hawaii. But he's hardly struggling. Wally Amos will always be famous, even though he can't call himself that anymore.
How did Famous Amos get started?
Amos started the original Famous Amos Cookie Company with $25,000 from the singers Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy, celebrity friends he knew from his days as a talent agent. The company sold $300,000 in cookies that year, and by 1982, revenue reached $12 million. Mr. Amos was a rising star.
Did Famous Amos get a deal on Shark Tank?
Unfortunately, there wasn't much to market because Amos wasn't allowed to use his face to endorse his company, The Cookie Kahuna, due to agreements he'd signed with Famous Amos. One by one, the Sharks backed away from Amos' pitch, and the entrepreneur was left with no deals (via Shark Tank Tales).
Who is Professor Amos?
0:002:17The Story Behind Professor Amos| HSN's "American Dreams" - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI became a paperboy at nine years old I made 32 cents every day I would business I didn't know thatMoreI became a paperboy at nine years old I made 32 cents every day I would business I didn't know that I was in business but I was doing business see it was about 14.
How much is professor Amos worth?
Wally Amos Net WorthNet Worth:$20 ThousandDate of Birth:Jul 1, 1936 (86 years old)Gender:MaleProfession:Entrepreneur, Writer, Businessperson, ActorNationality:United States of America
Who invented chocolate chip cookies?
Overlooked No More: Ruth Wakefield, Who Invented the Chocolate Chip Cookie. Legend has it that Wakefield was trying a variation on a butterscotch dessert when she decided to let the chocolate chips fall where they may.
Who invented cookies?
Cookies appear to have their origins in 7th century AD Persia, shortly after the use of sugar became relatively common in the region. They spread to Europe through the Muslim conquest of Spain.
When was Famous Amos cookies invented?
1975The Famous Amos story began in 1975 at a bakery on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Inspired by a delectable family recipe, founder Wally Amos perfected the ultimate chocolate chip cookie. He used only the best ingredients to make his bite-size cookies.
Did Wally Amos go on Shark Tank?
In Season 8 Episode 3, Wally Amos appeared on Shark Tank seeking $50,000 for 20% of his Hawaii inspired cookied, the Cookie Kahuna. Here's a quick recap before we dive into the Cookie Kahuna Shark Tank update. : The business has all the challenges of launching a new brand. “Sorry but it's not investable.”
Is The Cookie Kahuna still in business?
Is Cookie Kahuna Out of Business? Cookie Kahuna has ceased operations. Later in life, Wally Amos shifted his focus to his second cookie brand, Aunt Della's Cookies.
Do they still sell Famous Amos cookies?
FAMOUS AMOS WONDERS FROM THE WORLD Order our Belgian Chocolate Cookies, Philippine Coconut, Mediterranean Hazelnut, or British Salted Caramel on Uber Eats, InstaCart, or discover where to buy Famous Amos at a store near you.
Where did Amos move to?
Famous Amos Cookies. In 1967, Amos left William Morris and moved to Los Angeles, where he struggled to set up his own personal management company. Burdened with the debt of his failing business, Amos began to take comfort in baking chocolate chip cookies.
Who is Amos' aunt?
According to Amos, his success as an author and a motivational speaker is due in no small part to his Aunt Della : " [Aunt Della's] basic recipe for cookies became the foundation for much of my success. But it was her recipes for life that sustain me to this day," he states on his website.
Why did Shansby sue Amos?
The Shansby Group sued Amos for violating an agreement that forbade him to use his name and likeness on the packaging of any food products. In 1998, the Keebler Company purchased the Famous Amos brand, and Amos resumed his role as the brand's spokesperson.
When did Amos cookie store open?
With financial backing from singers like Gaye and an innovative marketing initiative, which included an extensive advertising campaign and a gala grand opening, the first Famous Amos cookie store opened on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1975.
Where did Amos go to high school?
And it was filled with the aroma of her delicious chocolate chip cookies.". Amos's penchant for cooking led him to enroll at the Food Trades Vocational High School, where he studied culinary arts for two years. After a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, Amos returned to New York in 1957.
Where was Wallace Amos born?
Amos was born Wallace Amos Jr. on July 1, 1936, in Tallahassee, Florida. Following his parents' separation in 1948, Amos was sent to New York City to live with his Aunt Della, who often baked homemade chocolate chip and pecan cookies. He later said of the experience, "We certainly had no monetary wealth, but Aunt Della's home was always rich in the principles and qualities vital to a child’s upbringing. And it was filled with the aroma of her delicious chocolate chip cookies." Amos's penchant for cooking led him to enroll at the Food Trades Vocational High School, where he studied culinary arts for two years.
When did the first black agent start?
He started in the mailroom of the William Morris Agency and in 1962 became the first Black talent agent in their history. As an agent, he signed Simon & Garfunkel and headed the agency's rock 'n' roll department. In 1975, he opened the first Famous Amos store.
Where was Amos born and raised?
Early life and education. Amos was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, until he was 12 years old. When his parents divorced, he moved to Manhattan, New York with his aunt, where he enrolled at the Food Trades Vocational High School. He showed his interest in cooking at a young age.
Who did Amos sign with?
He signed Simon & Garfunkel and headed the agency's rock 'n' roll department. Amos attracted clients by sending them chocolate chip cookies along with an invitation to visit him. He represented musicians such as Diana Ross & the Supremes, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye .
Why did Wally Amos move to New York?
Born in Tallahassee, Fla., Amos moved to New York City at age 12 because of his parents' divorce. He lived with an aunt, Della Bryant, who taught him how to make chocolate chip cookies. ^ Thompson, David (2014-08-05). "The Cookie Comeback King: Wally "Famous" Amos". Honolulu Magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
Why did Amos sell his company?
Due to financial troubles, Amos was forced to sell the Famous Amos Company, and because the name "Famous Amos" was trademarked by his former company, he had to use The Uncle Noname's Cookie Company as his new company's name .
How many books has Amos written?
He has written 10 books, many of which have a self-help theme, including The Cookie Never Crumbles and The Power in You. In 1979, Amos' long-time friend and publicist John Rosica introduced him to Literacy Volunteers of America. Amos has advocated literacy and helped thousands of adults learn to read.
Where are Wally Amos cookies made?
These cookies were marketed in a store in Hawaii, where Amos is based.
When did Amos start his own cookie business?
In 1975, a friend suggested to Amos that he set up a store to sell his cookies, and in March of that year, the first Famous Amos cookie store opened in Los Angeles, California. He started the business with the help of a $25,000 loan from Marvin Gaye and Helen Reddy.
About Our Brand
Inspired by a family recipe, the founder Wally Amos perfected the ultimate chocolate chip cookie. He used only the best ingredients to make his bite-size cookies. This delicious homemade signature helped them gain fame just by word of mouth.
The Famous Amos story becomes a Hollywood success story
This was just the beginning of the Famous Amos story. It was always a core belief of Wally Amos that you make a tastier cookie if you use high-quality ingredients. While this has never changed, what customers looked for in a cookie did. They wanted fewer ingredients and internationally inspired recipes.
This delicious homemade signature helped them gain fame just by word of mouth
From there, the Famous Amos story becomes a Hollywood success story. This was just the beginning of the Famous Amos story. It was always a core belief of Wally Amos that you make a tastier cookie if you use high-quality ingredients. While this has never changed, what customers looked for in a cookie did.
What is George Amos's greatest contribution to the United States?
Amos has earned numerous honors for his volunteerism, including the Literacy Award presented by President George H.W. Bush in 1991. “Your greatest contribution to your country is not your signature straw hat in the Smithsonian, but the people you have inspired to learn to read,” Bush said.
When did Amos go bankrupt?
Some cookies were too small. Others were too big. Some bags contained no cookies at all. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1996, abandoned cookies and went into muffins at the suggestion of Amos’ business partner, Lou Avignone.
Why did Uncle Wally's Muffins get foundered?
in 1992, a few years after Amos lost Famous Amos. Uncle Noname, however, foundered because of debt and problems with its contracted manufacturers. Some cookies were too small. Others were too big. Some bags contained no cookies at all.
Where is Wally Amos now?
The man who created the Famous Amos cookie empire three decades ago and eventually lost ownership of the company — as well as the rights to use the catchy name — is now running a modest cookie shop in Hawaii.
Why did Amos move to New York?
I’m not a production guy. I’m not a purchasing guy.”. Born in Tallahassee, Fla., Amos moved to New York City at age 12 because of his parents’ divorce. He lived with an aunt, Della Bryant, who taught him how to make chocolate chip cookies.
How many times did Amos change ownership of the company?
Before long, the company had changed ownership four times . Amos acknowledges making “some really bad decisions,” such as being too controlling and not listening to others who were advising him to do things differently. Amos said he has since learned how much greater the success can be with a good team.
What is Amos' fragrant store?
Amos’ fragrant store is as much about reading as it is about cookies. At one side is a reading room with dozens of donated books and Amos usually spends Saturdays sitting on a rocking chair, wearing a watermelon hop hat, reading to children. Besides cookies and muffins, promoting literacy is his passion.
Overview
Famous Amos is a brand of cookies founded in Los Angeles in 1975 by Wally Amos, a former talent agent with William Morris Agency.
Early life and education
Career
Personal life
Publications
External links
Wallace "Wally" Amos, Jr. (born July 1, 1936) is an American TV personality, entrepreneur, and author from Tallahassee, Florida. He is the founder of the Famous Amos chocolate-chip cookie, the Cookie Kahuna, and Aunt Della's Cookies gourmet cookie brands, and he was the host of the adult reading program, Learn to Read.