Established
2008
Franchise Units
120
Minimum Investment
$81,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$339,500
Home Based
No
Description
Ben’s Soft Pretzels offers a delectable twist on a classic favorite, combining traditional Amish-inspired recipes with modern business practices.Founded in 2008 in Elkhart, Indiana, the brand quickly gained popularity for its hand-rolled, jumbo-sized pretzels.By 2013, Ben’s Soft Pretzels began franchising, leading to rapid expansion across the United States.Today, with over 150 locations in 17 states, the brand has established itself as a leader in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
Investing in a Ben’s Soft Pretzels franchise offers several compelling advantages:
Proven Business Model: A streamlined operations system that simplifies management and enhances profitability.
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Strong Brand Recognition: A well-established brand with a loyal customer base.
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Diverse Revenue Streams: Opportunities include traditional storefronts, mobile units, and catering services.
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Comprehensive Support: Extensive training and ongoing assistance to ensure franchisee success.
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Community Engagement: A brand that values community involvement and customer satisfaction.
Background
Company History
The story of Ben’s Soft Pretzels began in 2008 in Elkhart, Indiana. It was born from a collaboration between a local businessman, Brian Krider, a pretzel fanatic, Scott GLOVER, and a man with a legendary Amish family recipe, Ben Miller. What started as a single stand at a farmers market quickly exploded in popularity because the product was simply better than anything else on the market.
Market Presence
- Established: 2008
- First Unit Franchised: 2013
- Franchised Units: 120
- Company-Owned Units: 7
- Founders: Ben Miller, Brian Krider, and Scott Glover.
- Industry Category: Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) / Snack Foods.
- States Registered In: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)
- Canada Franchises: No
- International Franchises: No
Support Training
Financial Assistance Provided: No
Site Selection Assistance: Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance: Yes
Recruiting Assistance: Yes
Cooperative Advertising: No
Training:
- Online onboarding training
- Weekly virtual meetings leading up to in-person training
- 101 Training combined with Reality Training — conducted in person in Elkhart, IN (6 days total). Includes ongoing online and in-person franchise training, along with an extensive online employee training platform.
Ideal Candidate
Who thrives within the Ben’s Soft Pretzels system? It’s not always the person with the most restaurant experience; it’s the person with the most heart.
The Community Connector: Someone who loves being the "face" of the business and engaging with local schools, sports teams, and charities.
Operational Mindset: You don't need to be a Master Chef, but you should appreciate the beauty of a clean, efficient, and disciplined kitchen.
Investment Ready: Individuals with a minimum liquid capital of $50,000 to $100,000 and the ability to secure financing for the total project.
Passion for the Product: You have to believe that this is the best pretzel on the planet—because your customers certainly will.
Financial Detail
- Cash Investment: $30,000 – $70,000
- Total Investment: $81,000 – $339,500
- Minimum Net Worth: $250,000
- Franchise Fee: $30,000
- Royalty: 6%
- Advertising Fee: 1.50%
- Item 19: Yes
- Average Number of Employees: 5
- Visa Candidates: Yes
- Passive Ownership: No
- Home-Based: No
- B2B: No
- Master Franchise Opportunities: No
- Veteran Discount: Yes