1994
370
$100,000
$35,000
$353,850
No
Wetzel’s Pretzels is a leading snack franchise brand in the United States known for its fresh, delicious, hand-rolled soft pretzels and crave-worthy beverages. With high-traffic locations in malls, outlets, theme parks, airports, and more, Wetzel’s offers a simple, scalable business model with strong brand recognition and proven systems for franchisees.
Founded in 1994 in Pasadena, California, by Rick Wetzel and Bill Phelps, Wetzel’s Pretzels quickly grew from a single store into a nationwide and international success. Backed by a strong leadership team and part of the FAT Brands family, Wetzel’s is focused on innovation, franchisee support, and customer satisfaction. The brand is loved for its fresh dough, on-site baking, and premium snacks made with wholesome ingredients.
Wetzel’s Pretzels provides extensive support to ensure franchisee success, including:
Comprehensive Training: In-store and classroom-style instruction covering operations, food prep, customer service, and staff management.
Site Selection & Design: Help with location scouting, lease negotiation, and store layout planning.
Marketing & Advertising: National and local marketing programs, seasonal promotions, social media content, and PR campaigns.
Operational Support: Ongoing field visits, performance analysis, and access to a dedicated franchise business consultant.
Wetzel’s Pretzels is looking for franchisees who are:
Entrepreneurial and customer-focused
Passionate about the food and hospitality industry
Strong communicators with leadership skills
Financially qualified with access to necessary capital
Hands-on operators or multi-unit investors
Previous food service experience is helpful but not required due to the brand’s extensive training program.
Franchise Fee: $35,000
Total Investment Range: $164,850 – $353,850
Minimum Liquid Capital Required: $100,000
Royalty Fee: 7% of gross sales
Marketing Fee: 1% of gross sales
Franchise Units (Approximate): 370+ (U.S. and International)
Established: 1994
Franchise Since: 1996
