Whenever you open up a little fortune cookie — eager to receive some random, universal wisdom — do you ever wonder who makes the cookies? You might think the whole process is automated and devoid of magic, but you’d be wrong! There’s one mystical company keeping fortune cookie goodness alive — and that’s San Francisco’s Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company.
It’s been in operation since 1962, hand-producing its fortune cookies.
The company actually rolls and folds each and every one of the fortunes you love to rip open and read.
Of course, most other companies do automate their fortune cookie assembly, and have been doing this since 1964. Sci Technology was the first major manufacturer of totally-automated cookies.
It may be that the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company will have to update their manufacturing processes, too, though, since San Francisco is getting pricey.
Other companies are jumping ship and leaving the city, so the future of their beloved fortune cookies is unclear.
The company’s co-owner Kevin Chan told the BBC that their rent has increased a whopping 328 percent — from $1,400 to $6,000 per month.
In three years.
Yep, that’s a lot.
Chances are the fortune cookies 🥠 in your takeout 🥡 were made by a machine. Not the case here at Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in #SanFrancisco! But owner says this popular tourist stop is facing money troubles, because of rising rent prices & regulations. @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/A3bLd2VrwJ
— Melissa Colorado (@melissacolorado) March 6, 2019
To make matters worse, automated fortune cookie companies sell boxes of fortune cookies for about half the price ($8).
The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company sells a single box at $14, and it takes them an hour-and-a-half to produce one.
There’s something about hand-produced goods that makes all the difference.
Sadly, rent prices are skyrocketing and there’s no sustainable way to stay competitive against cheaper goods that are faster to prepare.
A popular San Francisco business is struggling to stay open, after its monthly rent goes from $1,400 to $5,750. Golden Gate Fortune Cookies says it’s the only shop left in the country making these by hand @KPIXtv 11 pm pic.twitter.com/jHxARazCIl
— Betty Yu (@bett_yu) March 6, 2019
San Francisco is facing a major problem.
That’s because mega millionaires are moving in and taking up residence, displacing people and businesses.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookies is the last handmade fortune cookie factory in the entire US, in San Francisco for 57 years. SF city government needs to step up and do something about this. @AaronPeskin @LondonBreed https://t.co/LX6izPjht0
— AntiDisplacementCoup 🇵🇸 (@AsterZephyrIsis) March 7, 2019
In fact, the Bay Area is seeing single-family homes costing up to 5 million dollars — all due to businesses like Uber, Lyft, Slack, Postmates, Pinterest, and Airbnb going public.
In any case, we love a good fortune cookie, and we admire the effort and love that goes into creating them by hand.
The company even lets you create your own custom fortune cookies, as one Twitter user shows.
Who wouldn’t want a handmade fortune cookie that’s been customized to your liking?
The company also lets you take tours of the factory, which makes it a favorite among tourists and locals.
Yesterday we explored a lot of Chinatown (it's the biggest Chinatown in the world after all!!) and we went to the awesome Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory!! I… https://t.co/5WNpgMUEIE
— Harriett Neville (@gingerpeahats) March 7, 2019
As the SF Gate reports,
“For 57 years, tourists, schoolchildren and locals have squeezed into the small storefront of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in SF for a free sample and a sight of workers folding fortune cookies.”
From Instagram: For 57 years, tourists, schoolchildren and locals have squeezed into the small storefront of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in SF for a free sample and a sight of workers folding fortune cookies. But the future of the business is … https://t.co/J4HIxy5tOi pic.twitter.com/AkjnqVNTHe
— SFGATE (@SFGate) March 6, 2019
Fans of the company are wondering what can be done. We hope that the city will find a way to save the institution.
In an incredible soundbite translated into the English, the co-owner says,
“People think I’m a millionaire but as you can see, each fortune cookie is individually hand-folded [with] blood and tears.”
BBC landed the scoop but @KTSF26's report on Golden Gate Fortune Cookies is all HEART: https://t.co/za6VKFut0B
— a p r i l 陳雅珮 (@pril) March 7, 2019
Soundbites from Kevin Chan in Cantonese: "People think I'm a millionaire but as you can see, each fortune cookie is individually hand-folded [with] blood and tears."🧵
Apparently, only Chan’s mother has the secret recipe for the cookies:
“Even I don’t know the recipe,” co-owner Kevin Chan, whose mother and uncle founded the store, told the BBC.
“It’s my mum’s secret.”
Happy Year of the Pig from District 3, which hosts the nation's largest Chinese New Year's Parade! Thank you to lil Andy for being my co-pilot this year, to city planner Moses for driving his beautiful car, & to Frank from Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory for the custom treats! pic.twitter.com/rGWoPksiQd
— Aaron Peskin (@AaronPeskin) February 24, 2019
As Chan tells BBC, he still uses old machinery, one dating back to the ’50s:
“Old school doesn’t exist in today’s technology. But I’m determined to keep the traditions going.”
Did you know that Chinese fortune cookies were first created and served in #SanFrancisco in 1914? When you’re in town, make sure you visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory where more than 20,000 fortune cookies that are handmade here every day! @california @onlyinsf 🥠🥠🥠 pic.twitter.com/fQ7Zb3QGZm
— Michele | The Intrepid Guide (@intrepidguide) December 2, 2018
We hope the company will stick around, since it seems so many people feel passionately about what they do and what they stand for in the local community.
This tweet really exemplifies that local love:
Thank you to Kevin Chan, my Galileo High classmate and owner of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory for teaching me the art of making the perfect fortune cookie! #LondonForMayor pic.twitter.com/tMKwdkeeYT
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) April 12, 2018
San Francisco, find a way to keep your institution alive.
We need our fortunes!
