TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 28, 2023 / COOKIES RETAIL PRODUCTS ("CRP"), licensee of the COOKIES brand, issues this voluntary statement in response to recent press coverage of a suit filed on behalf of CRP in 2023.
COOKIES RETAIL PRODUCTS became aware of the coverage referencing CRP's previously filed suit in Los Angeles Superior court and the use of paraphrased excerpts from such filing to cast a negative light on the COOKIES brand and its CEO and co-founder Gilbert Milam Jr, aka "Berner" and President Parker Berling. This statement is intended to set the record straight regarding the status of CRP's suit, and to underscore CRP's confidence in the COOKIES brand and the integrity of its leadership.
CRP has voluntarily dismissed all suits and claims, and expresses a sincere regret for any misunderstandings CRP's allegations may have caused. CRP has sought to seal and dismiss any such allegations in order to preserve the integrity of the COOKIES brand and partnership.
After additional information was discovered and provided to CRP and its principals, CRP realized the suit was filed prematurely and quickly came to find that the allegations were incorrect given additional information and context that was unavailable to CRP at the time the suit was filed.
CRP is unaware of any unethical behavior by Berner, Berling, or Cookies' Management. In fact, as a matter of record, CRP has never implicated or named Berner in any action nor made any claim that he has ever conducted himself in any manner other than professional, kind, and a leader in the space.
CEO and Founder of COOKIES RETAIL PRODUCTS states "I have the utmost confidence in Parker, Berner, and the Cookies leadership team and their partners. Certain third parties influenced us to file suit based upon allegations that we learned were not true, so we took immediate steps to rectify the mistake by dismissing the suit. CRP and I express our confidence in the ethics and integrity of Parker, Berner, and Cookies. CRP has successfully collaborated with Cookies in the past to build amazing connections with consumers and retailers to the brand. We continue to do business with Cookies, in fact, and express our sincere desire to move forward productively together. Lastly, it is a shame that our dismissed suit was used in such a manner and find the timing is suspect given recent positive growth for the brand and our company. We at CRP consider this mischaracterization of our own closed legal action to be shameful and opportunistic. We wish Parker, Berner, and Cookies nothing but the best in the future."
Rock further commented regarding the industry and the products as a whole "It is evident that CBD related products are here to stay and will quickly eclipse Energy and Functional beverages as the most successful new category in Retail History. Our approved programs, such as COOKIES licensed branding initiative fills voids in product format and consumer demand that currently exist and will provide CRP and our retail associations the opportunity to take full advantage of the retail scope offered by our retailer groups who are the front lines of the impending CBD product explosion."
CRP, alongside COOKIES, developed and created multiple branding projects that commanded high premiums and provided excellent options to consumers and retailers across the country.
About COOKIES RETAIL PRODUCTS, Inc.
CRP continues to develop and foster relationship with multiple non-Cookies related product lines and the executive management team and Rock continues on to create and launch other amazing products. Rock through his direct reach and leaderships roles within the largest trade associations for independent convenience and gas stations in the country, comprised of smaller buying groups, reginal sub-chapters, and other trade organizations under one blanket that consists of over 50,000 members controlling up to 90,000 locations cross the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Currently, there are approximately 155,000 convenience stores in the country. Notable brands include BP, 76, Sunoco, Gulf, Chevron, Shell, Marathon, Arco, Circle K, and more. Rock and his team continue to foster and develop pedigree brands such as COOKIES in each explosive key consumer-facing product vertical currently being offered through Consumer Packaged Goods in Retail.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "could," "target," "potential," "is likely," "will," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Some or all of the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not be achieved. Further information on the Company's risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Company Contacts:
Cookies Retail Products, LLC
Office of the CEO - Mr. Paul Rock
310 -275-ROCK (7625)
[email protected]
Admin Asst: Nelly Biglari
[email protected]
Media and Legal Contact:
Leech-Tishman Fuscaldo & Lamp
Fadi Rasheed, Counsel for CRP
424.261.1600
[email protected]
SOURCE: COOKIES RETAIL PRODUCTS, LLC