Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

#44

At a Glance

Products & Services: Hand-rolled soft pretzels

Number of Locations: 1,333

Total Investment: $201.38K - 374.6K

Founded: 1988

Began Franchising: 1989

About Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

Anne Beiler had been baking most of her life, but it wasn't until she began managing a concession stand at a farmer's market in Maryland that she thought about starting a business. The stand served pizzas, pretzels, chips and candy, with the pretzels outselling everything else. Beiler stopped selling pizza and began hand-rolling pretzels in front of her customers, making the snack even more popular. Eventually, Beiler bought her own stand, naming it Auntie Anne's, and, soon two of her brothers were operating Auntie Anne's booths of their own.

Today, Auntie Anne's locations serve a variety of pretzels, dipping sauces and drinks. Stores can be found in shopping centers, airports and train stations across the United States, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the United Kingdom and Venezuela.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2012	983	2	334	14
2011	864	3	247	14
2010	861	14	247	4
2009	792	2	211	11

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units worldwide.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $201,375 - $374,600
Franchise Fee: $30,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 7%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 20 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Net Worth: $300,000

Operations

50% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12. Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed..

Financing Type	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee
Startup Costs
Equipment
Inventory
Accounts Receivable
Payroll

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees

Training: Available at headquarters: Up to 2 weeks. At franchisee's location: Up to 5 days.

Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives, Lease Negotiation

Marketing Support: Ad slicks, Regional advertising,

Other marketing support: Onling toolbox