Whether you run a gourmet pretzel franchise, sell soft pretzels wholesale or create your own exotic pretzel twists, there are a few necessities you should stock up on. Pretzels are one of the most commonly eaten snacks because they taste good, offer a healthier alternative to many other goodies like chips or candy and provide some of the essential nutrients every person should have each day. Newly established pretzel makers will need to learn pretzels basics and then experiment with various ingredients to come up with their own signature flavors. Once their product line is established, they will have a better understanding of the different supplies they need to create the tasty treats.

Make sure you have all the supplies for pretzels you need on hand. Some of the items you must have include:

1. All of the ingredients required to produce basic soft pretzels;

2. Display cases that keep their products heated at public locations;

3. Specialty toppings for the pretzel snacks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Prepare to produce your own pretzels

Every pretzel company must create their own mixtures that have a distinct taste in order to set them aside from other soft pretzel manufacturers. When you are getting started, it's a good idea to see what other pretzel makers have done so you can get the basics down and then expand upon the process to make it your own. Find out what the standard ingredients are (such as flour, yeast and gluten), and how each pretzel is shaped and formed into the finished product. Take your time while trying to develop your own batter and experiment to find out what works.

I recommend: J.R.Leverentz shows you what ingredients are necessary and how pretzels are made. Learn how to create a pretzel with help from The Prepared Pantry.

Pick out toppings for your gourmet pretzels

Salt is the most common topping, but there are many different ways to spice up a pretzel. You may want to sell pretzels that have frosting on top, are dipped in sugar or caramel, covered in chocolate or drizzled with butter. Perhaps you would prefer to create another food such as a pretzel pizza or pretzel dog. The applications are limited only by your imagination. It may help to review the flavors that are currently available from pretzel wholesalers to get those ideas flowing and help you to create something new.

I recommend: Investigate the types of specialty pretzels you can make by looking at websites like Pretzels Plus or BakeryWerks.

Find display cases to keep your pretzels warm

Once you have created your recipes and made the products you intend to sell at public locations, you will need a display case to store and show them off. These cases also produce heat to keep the snacks ready to eat at all times. This means that anywhere you set up shop must have at least one electrical outlet available, which is important to keep in mind when picking out a location. These pretzel racks usually operate at 100 degrees or more internally and take up just over one foot of counter space.

I recommend: Obtain a heated display case from Kitchen Supply Direct or RestaurantSupplyExperts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchase ingredients in bulk from discount retailers if you need to provide wholesale pretzels to your customers.
• •  Don't forget the extra supplies for your pretzel stand such as napkins, snack carrying sleeves or mustard.

The snack food industry is a multi-billion-dollar business, and every year the pretzel business earns hundreds of millions of dollars. It is estimated that most people in the United States eat one and a half pounds of the popular treat annually. They are commonly found in bars, sporting arenas, airplanes and other popular locations.

Many people prefer pretzels over a variety of other popular snack foods because they are generally lower in fat, and many varieties are even fat free. Pretzel makers also bake their products instead of frying them, which people often prefer. Individuals who are looking for an enjoyable snack with low fat and cholesterol levels will regularly eat these twisted treats. Pretzel snacks offer many benefits:

1. They are a healthier options for those trying to avoid fatty snack foods.

2. Pretzels are high in fiber, which is an important part of any diet.

3. Gourmet pretzels are available with or without salt.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate pretzel manufacturers

There are a large variety of companies that produce pretzel twists and other variations of the snack food. Consumers interested in trying out a variety of styles, and business owners who wish to offer various snack options to their customers, may wish to investigate these companies and sample several brands to find the pretzel they prefer.

I recommend: Frito-Lay North America Inc., which distributes Rold Gold Pretzels, and Snyder's of Hanover Inc. are two of the most popular pretzel manufacturers in the United States. Superpretzel and UTZ Quality Foods Inc. offer a selection of different flavors and styles for pretzels.

Order specialty and gourmet pretzels

Pretzel twists with salt on top may be the best known image of the popular snack, but there are many other varieties. Whatever flavor, shape or type of pretzel you are interested in, chances are good that there is a pretzel company that makes what you are looking for. Some pretzel makers combine other types of food with their snack.

I recommend: Auntie Anne's Inc. sells soft pretzels in a variety of flavors. Golftees.com produces pretzels that are shaped like golf tees. Find pretzels that have been dipped in chocolate from FunkyChunky. Joe Corbi's Wholesale Pizza Inc. offers a grilled cheese pretzel that is filled and topped with cheddar cheese.

Purchase wholesale pretzels

Individuals or businesses can work with a pretzel wholesale retailer to purchase large amounts of the tasty treat at discounted prices.

I recommend: Quality Components Unlimited Inc. offers several varieties of pretzels to the public at wholesale prices. PretzelsDirect.com sells pretzels wholesale to businesses and retailers.

Operate your own gourmet pretzel franchise

Pretzel enthusiasts who wish to operate their own pretzel business may choose to look into available franchises. Purchasing a franchise gives individuals the benefit of having a business with a recognized company name and brand and most franchisors provide ongoing support to investors.

I recommend: Purchase a pretzel franchise from established companies such as The Pretzel Twister, Philly's Own Pretzel, We're Rolling Pretzel Company or Mr. Pretzels.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pretzels may be purchased in lavish gift sets that are ideal for special occasions.
• •  Offer gourmet pretzels as prizes for games and contests at your place of business.

Healthy, wholesome snacks are great sellers at food stands and bakeries--and fitting the bill are pretzels, making education and training in pretzel making lucrative. Sure, pretzel manufacturers create wholesale pretzels that are tasty, but can anything compare to fresh, gourmet pretzels? To keep your customers coming back and back again, learn to make your own pretzel twists.

Whether you want to create a gourmet pretzel franchise or simply wish to serve up fresh pretzels for a small pretzel cart, take the time to do a little research:

1. Study what good pretzel makers are doing.

2. Consider obtaining soft pretzel training from a franchise.

3. Obtain pretzel snacks training from trade organizations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the basics of the pretzel business

One survey concluded that pretzels are a $570-million-a-year business in the United States. Over 300 million pounds of pretzels are made commercially each year, most by a fully automated process. However, as Americans have learned pretzels can be a healthy snack, more and more food businesses are seeking to make gourmet pretzels--sometimes by hand.

I recommend: For a great introduction to how pretzels are made, including what ingredients are essential and how pretzels are commercially formed, dipped, cooked and packaged, see Advameg. For a pictorial guide to commercial pretzel making, see Inter Snack.

Obtain full training for making soft pretzels

Soft pretzels are hot, both literally and figuratively. Chewy and delicious, gourmet soft pretzels can be the highlight of your food business. If you work with an established franchise, they will usually provide full training in the best pretzel making techniques. This is a valuable way to not only begin a business but to train yourself thoroughly for it.

I recommend: For full training in how to make fantastic soft pretzels, check out two of the most popular soft pretzel businesses: Pretzel Boy's and Aunt Anne's.

Benefit from pretzel company trade associations

Whether you're interested in soft or hard pretzels, trade organizations not only offer networking opportunities, but also training and education. For pretzel making, seek organizations focusing on gourmet or snack foods.

I recommend: The Snack Food Association not only keeps members up to date on the latest in snack foods (including pretzels), but they give you access to experts to answer your questions, seminars and manuals for pretzel making. The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade periodically offers articles, seminars and educational programs with practical information about the pretzel business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whether you join one or 100 trade organizations for hard or soft pretzel manufacturers, be sure you are fully versed in what they offer. Many associations offer not only training and ongoing education but also legal advice, marketing opportunities and more.

Pretzels come in many shapes, sizes and flavors, so you'll have many decisions to make when you consider pretzels pricing and costs. Choices vary from hard pretzels to soft pretzels. In addition, many companies make pretzel snacks, which can be filled with cheese or peanut butter, and gourmet pretzels.

If you own a pretzel business, you may want to look for pretzel wholesalers or deal directly with pretzel manufacturers. You may also think about opening a gourmet pretzel franchise. These make good money when they are located in busy malls.

If you open a gourmet pretzel franchise, consider these tips:

1. Find a pretzel company whose other stores do a good pretzel business.

2. Select an area where people will want to buy gourmet pretzels.

3. Try not to locate your pretzel business too near a competitor.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a reliable source of wholesale pretzels

If you sell or use pre-bagged pretzels in your store or business, look for a pretzel wholesale distributor who delivers or deal directly with pretzel manufacturers online. Offer your customers a choice of pretzel twists, sticks, bites, and hard pretzels. Look for interesting flavors and dips that will appeal to your customers.

I recommend: Utz offers a variety of container sizes from individual-serving sized bags to pretzels barrels. For example, you can order a barrel of pretzel sticks for under $10 or buy in bulk for a discount. Snyder's of Hanover also sells pretzels online. Check out their pretzel of the month and best value sections for the lowest prices.

Open your own soft pretzel business

Look for a soft pretzel franchise for an easy way to get into the pretzel business. All the ingredients, training and uniforms will be included in the package, so you will not need to search out suppliers. But if you want to venture out on your own, look for soft pretzel manufacturers who will sell to you, or buy your soft pretzels wholesale.

I recommend: Auntie Anne's has soft pretzel franchises, but they also sell pretzels in quantities for fundraising. Individual pretzels prices cost under $5, depending on the flavor. PretzelsDirect.com has many choices of 40 Philly soft pretzels in the $25 range. They also sell soft pretzels wholesale.

Make your own homemade pretzels

Homemade pretzels are always in demand. Customers enjoy buying directly from pretzel makers, so advertise the freshness of your pretzels. If you use organic ingredients, you can attract health-conscious customers. Buy ingredients in bulk or use pre-packaged pretzel mixes. If you just want to make pretzels in your own kitchen, buy the bake-and-serve variety at your local grocery store.

I recommend: J.R.Leverentz offers pretzel-making kits for under $25. They also sell ingedients such as yeast and sea salt. Coleman Concessions sells a case of 50 frozen SUPERPRETZELs for under $35. Smaller packages can be found in the grocery store.