- Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Not ranked last year
- Initial investment
-
$303K - $583K
- Units as of 2024
-
199 12% over 3 years
The name says it all: Pretzelmaker makes pretzels. In 1991, the first Pretzelmaker outlet opened under the name "Pretzelvania," but this soon changed to the name we are familiar with when it started franchising in 1992. Now, locations may tempt hungry mall-goers with the promise of soft pretzels and more. A customer may find innovative snacks, a delicious menu, drinks, and dipping sauces in a snack bar setting.
Since beginning to franchise, Pretzelmaker has opened many locations in the United States, Canada, and overseas.
Why You May Want To Start a Pretzelmaker Franchise
Opening a Pretzelmaker franchise may be an opportunity for an ambitious, hard-working franchisee who has plans for the future. Whether you want to be a single or multi-unit franchisee, the ideal Pretzelmaker franchisee is willing to take a leap of faith. A potential franchisee should want to be their own boss and work hard to achieve their goals.
No specific food service qualifications are needed to open a Pretzelmaker franchise, but you may want to have an appetite for pretzels and be able to make them. Though Prezetlmaker isn't the only soft pretzel snack stand in the industry, it may have an advantage of being one of the first companies to offer soft pretzel bites. Pretzelmaker franchises are expected to bake their pretzels daily.
What Might Make a Pretzelmaker Franchise a Good Choice?
On the business end, a Pretzelmaker franchise may offer a flexible business model. This could potentially open up your franchising options. Pretzelmaker offers traditional franchises—a location in a shopping mall, for example—and non-traditional franchises that you can generally adapt to any available space, such as a kiosk-sized booth on a college campus or in an airport.
Pretzelmaker also has a new business model concept called Fresh Twist. Franchisees may find themselves drawn to this option, as it may offer new menu items in addition to the classics.
To be part of the Pretzelmaker team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.
How To Open a Pretzelmaker Franchise
Choosing a good location may be a key to success with a Pretzelmaker franchise. You typically want to find a place with a constant stream of foot traffic. You should choose a spot with constant movement. That said, as you conduct your due diligence, research the brand and your local market.
Consider speaking to existing franchisees and asking the Pretzelmaker franchising team questions. For example, how does the brand hold up against other direct competitors like Wetzel's Pretzels and Auntie Anne's? Are you at liberty to give away samples of products or run your own promotions?
Should Pretzelmaker award you a franchise, you will most likely undergo corporate training. The process should prepare you well for the gift of pretzels you're about to give your community!
Company Overview
About Pretzelmaker
| Industry | Food |
|---|---|
| Related Categories | Pretzels, Baked Goods, Miscellaneous Baked Goods |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Parent Company | FAT Brands Inc. |
| Leadership | Taylor Wiederhorn, Chief Development Officer |
| Corporate Address |
9720 Wilshire Blvd., #500 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 |
| Social | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok |
Business Overview
| Franchising Since | 1992 (32 years) |
|---|---|
| # of employees at HQ | 335 |
| Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchises throughout the US. This company is offering new franchises worldwide. |
| # of Units | 199 (as of 2024) |
|
|
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Pretzelmaker franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
|
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$25,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$302,500 - $583,000 |
|
Net Worth Requirement
|
$1,500,000 |
|
Cash Requirement
|
$500,000 |
|
Royalty Fee
|
7% |
|
Ad Royalty Fee
|
4% |
|
Term of Agreement
|
15 years |
| Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
| Third Party Financing | Pretzelmaker has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll |
|---|
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
| On-The-Job Training | 23.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Classroom Training | 0.75 hours |
| Ongoing Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
| Marketing Support |
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
| Is absentee ownership allowed? | No |
|---|---|
|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
No |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Pretzelmaker landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
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