Established
1994
Franchise Units
370
Minimum Investment
$100,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$353,850
Home Based
No
Description
Wetzel’s Pretzels is a leading snack franchise brand in the United States known for its fresh, delicious, hand-rolled soft pretzels and crave-worthy beverages. With high-traffic locations in malls, outlets, theme parks, airports, and more, Wetzel’s offers a simple, scalable business model with strong brand recognition and proven systems for franchisees.
Background
Founded in 1994 in Pasadena, California, by Rick Wetzel and Bill Phelps, Wetzel’s Pretzels quickly grew from a single store into a nationwide and international success. Backed by a strong leadership team and part of the FAT Brands family, Wetzel’s is focused on innovation, franchisee support, and customer satisfaction. The brand is loved for its fresh dough, on-site baking, and premium snacks made with wholesome ingredients.
Support Training
Wetzel’s Pretzels provides extensive support to ensure franchisee success, including:
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Comprehensive Training: In-store and classroom-style instruction covering operations, food prep, customer service, and staff management.
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Site Selection & Design: Help with location scouting, lease negotiation, and store layout planning.
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Marketing & Advertising: National and local marketing programs, seasonal promotions, social media content, and PR campaigns.
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Operational Support: Ongoing field visits, performance analysis, and access to a dedicated franchise business consultant.
Ideal Candidate
Wetzel’s Pretzels is looking for franchisees who are:
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Entrepreneurial and customer-focused
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Passionate about the food and hospitality industry
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Strong communicators with leadership skills
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Financially qualified with access to necessary capital
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Hands-on operators or multi-unit investors
Previous food service experience is helpful but not required due to the brand’s extensive training program.
Financial Detail
Franchise Fee: $35,000
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Total Investment Range: $164,850 – $353,850
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Minimum Liquid Capital Required: $100,000
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Royalty Fee: 7% of gross sales
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Marketing Fee: 1% of gross sales
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Franchise Units (Approximate): 370+ (U.S. and International)
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Established: 1994
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Franchise Since: 1996