Wetzel's Pretzels
Soft pretzels, lemonade, hot dogsBackground
Founded: 1994 Franchising since: 1996
Former marketing executives Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel founded Wetzel's Pretzels in 1994. The private company began franchising in 1996 and now has units across the United States and internationally. It is based in Pasadena, California, and has co-branding relationships with Cold Stone Creamery, Juice It Up, Swensen's and others.
Franchisor is a privately-held company with 12 employee(s); 3 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 3-5 units
Former marketing executives Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel founded Wetzel's Pretzels in 1994. The private company began franchising in 1996 and now has units across the United States and internationally. It is based in Pasadena, California, and has co-branding relationships with Cold Stone Creamery, Juice It Up, Swensen's and others.
|
35 Hugus Alley., #300 Pasadena, California 91103 |
Phone: (626)432-6900 |
Franchisor is a privately-held company with 12 employee(s); 3 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
| Year | U.S. Franchises | Canadian Franchises | Foreign Franchises | Company Owned |
| 2009 | 225 | 21 | 15 | 9 |
| 2008 | 201 | 21 | 15 | 6 |
| 2007 | 180 | 30 | 23 | 6 |
| 2006 | 176 | 30 | 22 | 6 |
| 2005 | 170 | 30 | 22 | 6 |
Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 3-5 units
Costs and Fees
|
Total investment: $139.7K-385.3K Franchise fee: $35K |
Ongoing royalty fee: 7% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable |
Type of Financing Available
| In-House | Third Party | |
| Franchise Fee | No | No |
| Startup Costs | No | Yes |
| Equipment | No | Yes |
| Inventory | No | No |
| Accounts Receivable | No | No |
| Payroll | No | No |
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $200K
Cash liquidity requirement: $50K
Business Experience:
- General business experience
Operations
- 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit
- Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5
- Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
Training and Support
Training
Ongoing Support
Marketing Support
- Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
- At franchisee's location: 4 days
Ongoing Support
- Newsletter
- Meetings
- Grand opening
- Internet
- Security/safety procedures
- Field operations/evaluations
- Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Support
- Co-op advertising
- Ad slicks
Rankings
Franchise 500® rank:
#228 (2009); #239 (2008); #202 (2007); #194 (2006); #173 (2005);
America's Top Global Franchises:
#175 (2009); #162 (2007); #142 (2006); #95 (2005);
#228 (2009); #239 (2008); #202 (2007); #194 (2006); #173 (2005);
America's Top Global Franchises:
#175 (2009); #162 (2007); #142 (2006); #95 (2005);