Buzz
Whether you're a fan of Thin Mints or Samoas, the young entrepreneurs selling their delicious cookies are earning quite a bit from our national obsession with Girl Scout cookies. Altogether, the Girl Scout Cookie Program is a $800 million industry. But where does all that money go?
To understand how the funds are distributed, let's break down the three levels of Girl Scout organization: local troops, regional councils, and the national organization—Girl Scouts of the USA.
According to the official website, individual troops receive 10 to 20 percent of the earnings, which is used for programs, scholarships, or community service efforts. Meanwhile, regional councils take the lion's share, receiving 65 to 75 percent. The exact breakdown can vary by troop, but a 2010 article reveals that, based on a $0 box price, 85 cents per box goes to cover production costs at the bakery, while 1 penny per box is allocated to the local "service unit."
The funds raised from selling the cookies do not go to the national organization. However, since it holds the rights to the Girl Scouts' trademarked logo, the national organization receives royalties from the baker, as well as from other businesses that use the cookies, such as ice cream makers.
