Jennifer BSFCS ’95 and Mike BBA ’90 Dollander have a deep love for three things: each other, Athens, and sweet treats.
In 2019, they combined those passions to create Alumni Cookie Dough, a now-beloved Athens cafe serving up inventive takes on cookie dough, milkshakes, and ice cream. Since then, the Dollanders have turned their dessert shop into a go-to spot for both students and longtime locals craving a taste of nostalgia and indulgence.
The idea for the cafe emerged in 2018 when Jennifer and her daughter Stephanie visited a cookie dough cafe in New York. They were hooked. The edgy vibe of Greenwich Village reminded Jennifer of the Classic City, and one question kept entering her mind: Why is this not in Athens?
By the time Mike picked them up from the airport three days later, he had the LLC. The following fall, the couple found a vacant storefront just down the hill from the Classic Center while taking a stroll on a date night. It was the perfect spot for the business and an ideal opportunity to make an impact on the community that had such an impact on their lives.
“We had our first date at 5 Bar. We got married in Athens,” Jennifer says. “This will always be home, and this cafe will always be home base for Alumni Cookie Dough.”
For the cafe’s first six months, lines of intrigued customers wound out the door and down Thomas Street. The crowds are more manageable these days, but the cafe’s popularity continues.
“We want people to come in and feel that this is a safe, fun, family environment,” Mike says.
Alumni Cookie Dough offers an array of flavors, including red velvet, birthday bash, and the classic chocolate chip cookie dough. The Dollanders are constantly changing the menu to include new and seasonal flavors.
“Since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved baking, but I would always lick the spoon and scrape the bowl. That was always my favorite part, way above and beyond the baked final product. I enjoyed the dough,” Jennifer says.
The shop’s fan-favorite dough wasn’t just a happy accident. From the beginning, Mike and Jennifer were committed to both flavor and food safety. They partnered with UGA’s food science lab to perfect their recipes, testing methods to safely heat-treat the raw flour and eliminate harmful bacteria. The result? A delicious, ready-to-eat dough that’s completely safe to enjoy and store.
Running the cafe is a true partnership. Jennifer serves as the creative force, devising recipes and new flavors, while Mike’s background in health care management helps him lead the business side.
“We work well together and really respect each other,” Jennifer says. “I think that is the foundation for any relationship or business partnership, and I am lucky to have it all wrapped into one.”
The couple continues to support the university through percentage nights and fundraisers. This allows for both the business and partner organizations to make an impact on their hometown.
Jennifer noticed how complicated fundraising can be, especially for students. She wanted raising money to be simple and easy for both the organizations they partner with and customers themselves. For instance, Alumni Cookie Dough has partnered on events with UGA organizations such as Greek Life and the Office of Student Affairs.
“We have appreciated Alumni Cookie Dough’s support for Student Affairs programs over the years, from events ranging from Welcome UGA’s First Night to our annual staff appreciation. Everyone is delighted when they see Alumni Cookie Dough on the table!” says Stan Jackson AB ’06, MPA ’18, PhD ’23, assistant to the vice president for student affairs.
As the company continues to grow, Mike and Jennifer want to remain focused on the impact they are making on their community while also rolling out Alumni Cookie Dough to restaurants, grocery stores, universities, and event venues nationwide.
“This little cafe started out as just a side hustle—something to bring in a little extra income for retirement. It was just a couple of Georgia alumni running a small business downtown,” Mike says.
“But it’s grown into something much bigger: the idea of multiple locations, franchising, and now a wholesale program with hundreds of wholesale locations across the country.”
This story appears in the Fall 2025 issue of Georgia Magazine.