Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

Founded: 1988 Franchising since: 1989
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.

Address: 48-50 W. Chestnut St., #200 Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603

Phone: (717)435-1479

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 150 employee(s); 8 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	792	2	211	11
2008	753	1	188	13
2007	723	0	187	10
2006	751	0	175	8

Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide
Worldwide

Special Programs
Auntie AnneÂ’s holds franchise contests to encourage marketing efforts. It also sponsors golf tournaments and does fund-raising for the ChildrenÂ’s Miracle Network, which supports 170 childrenÂ’s hospitals.

Total investment: $197,875 - $439,100
Franchise fee: $30,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 7%
Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable


Express/kiosk option available

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	Yes
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	Yes
Accounts Receivable	No	Yes
Payroll	No	Yes

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $300,000
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• General business experience

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 NOT allowed.

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

Marketing Support

• Ad slicks
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• Onling toolbox

Franchise 500® rank:
#50 (2010); #73 (2009); #83 (2008); #72 (2006);

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#59 (2010); #103 (2009);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#43 (2010); #62 (2009); #73 (2008); #56 (2006);