Law & Pretzels
A title like that might not make for a very exciting TV show, but it's this ex-lawyer's life story.
"I guess I was dissatisfied with the profession and my
practice, and was looking for something else to do, something more
rewarding than being an attorney." Such was the mindset of
Harry Rieck more than six years ago, when he decided to leave the
legal world and start a business.
Through his brother-in-law, Rieck secured a retail space at
Sawgrass Mills mall in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "The location
suited itself for a snack-food-type franchise," he explains.
With the right space and purpose in mind, Rieck researched various
snack-food niches before settling on pretzels and then on Auntie
Anne's.
With help from wife Sharon, 31, Rieck, 44, opened his franchise
in 1995, a store that co-brands Auntie Anne's pretzels with
Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard. Five years later, the Riecks opened a
second location, this one serving only pretzels, at the other end
of the Sawgrass center.
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But rolling dough isn't Rieck's only passion. Since
1997, he has been on Auntie Anne's regional advisory council,
serving as president for the Southeast region for three years. In
that position, Rieck helped bring together Auntie Anne's and
the Children's Miracle Network, a charity the franchise
supports through various fund-raisers. "We wanted something
everyone could feel good about doing, and CMN seemed to be
[perfect], because no one [objects] to helping out sick kids,"
Rieck explains.
Although running two stores, serving on the advisory council and
raising a growing family make for long hours, Rieck's new life
continues to bring him a level of satisfaction he never achieved in
the legal profession. "I'm much happier doing this,"
he says. "This is hard, but it's fun."