DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections, Acquired 

Entrepreneur Neil Hershman, the owner and CEO of 16 Handles, New York City’s leading self-serve frozen yogurt franchise with over 30 locations, has acquired the cookie dough brand, DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections. 

Hershman will immediately retain the role of CEO and owner of DŌ. He is joined by DŌ’s founder and co-owner Kristen Tomlan, who will continue to play an integral part in this new stage of growth as the Chief Brand Officer. 

Tomlan, a designer and brand consultant, founded DŌ in 2014 because of her love for unbaked cookie dough. Her unique take on the treat has been a viral success. Her business has garnered hours-long lines and has captured the attention of leading media outlets. Tomlan successfully grew the brand to include multiple retail outlets and pop-ups, a booming eCommerce business, hands-on and virtual baking classes, and safe-to-eat flour and mixes. Her cookbook, Hello, Cookie Dough: 110 Doughlicious Confections to Eat, Bake, and Share debuted in October 2019. 

“I started DŌ in a quest to create a worry-free indulgence that I could selfishly eat, bake, and share with others. The mission for this brand was always about spreading joy, which has been and always will be my favorite part of the baking process,” says Tomlan. “It’s been a dream come true to collaborate with 16 Handles’ New York City locations over the past five years, so expanding the partnership and growing our brands together is exciting for us both. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and being able to continue to spread happiness through these two iconic New York desserts.”

Over the past four years, Hershman has quickly built a brick-and-mortar dessert empire throughout New York City under various popular brands. He personally owns and operates 12 dessert shops, including the 16 Handles Flagship located in Times Square.

“DŌ is one of New York City’s favorite and most unique desserts, and it’s been so popular selling alongside our artisanal frozen yogurt at 16 Handles in the past. I’m so excited to take Kristen and my partnership to the next level as we integrate DŌ’s addictive edible cookie dough into the self-serve topping bar and to-go freezer at all of our 16 Handles locations, especially as we continue to expand nationally,” said Hershman.

DŌ will continue to ship its products nationwide through its website.