Why do Girl Scout cookies cost so much?

For Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), there are two cookie baking companies. They are allowed to offer up to 8 varieties but the have to offer Thin Mints®, Peanut Butter Sandwich/Do-si-dos® and Shortbread/Trefoils®.

Any of the five other varieties can be changed each year. Since Samoas®/Caramel deLites® are the second best seller, the cookie companies keep them.

So the other four varieties can be changed. The chocolate chip cookies were sold for a couple of years, then switched so that another kind could be sold.