Wetzel's Pretzels

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.

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

Total investment: $139.7K-385.3K Franchise fee: $35K

Ongoing royalty fee: 7% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Express/kiosk option available

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

• 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

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);