Pretzel Chains

Mix together the perfect ingredients to form your own soft pretzel company
By Darcy Chadwick Pretzel chains are great restaurants for customers to eat at since they solve an immediate problem of eating something quick and filling. You can start a pretzel store in a suburban strip mall, inside a shopping mall, inside an airport or in the middle of a quaint town.

It may be tempting to open your own pretzel shop without any connections to the big-name pretzel empires. While you may have more freedom with your own brand, working with established franchises allows you more security as well as a recognizable store name. When deciding upon pretzel chains, remember to:

1. Choose the pretzel shop franchise that best suits your needs.

2. Locate the perfect spot to open your pretzel store.

3. Secure dough and financial information for your soft pretzel company.

Select the pretzel business chain you wish to open

No matter where you decide to open your pretzel chain, what should draw people to your store is the name. If you choose a recognizable name that people associate with quality, affordable, delicious pretzels, you should do well with your business. Pour through franchise information to find one that's perfectly suited to your needs.
Try:  Check with the Franchise 500 of Entrepreneur.com, Inc. to find names of pretzel chains of which you may want to own a piece. If you're looking to open a pretzel business domestically or nationally, Auntie Anne's can provide an ample opportunity. Open for business since 1989, the company lists areas where it's currently seeking franchising locations. Introduced to the public in 1994, Mr. Pretzels takes pride in its specialty Dutch pretzel recipe. The chain has locations in the United States and around the world. Philly's Own Soft Pretzel Bakery is another option, allowing you to apply straight from its website. Even though the name says Philadelphia, they're looking for people to open stores all over the country.

Find an ideal location to open your pretzel business

Scope out the areas you wish to open your new pretzel store. It could be at a previous pretzel business location or at a previous restaurant location, or it could be merely an open storefront. Certain pretzel chains have information on-hand about purchasing existing stores; all you need to do is contact the correct person.
Try:  Head over to RestaurantFranchise.com, LLC and find its list of restaurant and pretzel chain opportunities listed by state. Franchise Gator compiles a list of pretzel franchises for sale. Links on its site redirect you to the pretzel chain's site, as well as provide information about liquid capital required, net worth required and total capital to invest.

Raise the dough you need to open your pretzel store

Initial pretzel chain start-up costs vary, depending on what "ingredients" you need to purchase and mix together for your pretzel stand. Most chains require you to finance funds of at least $100,000 domestically. Keep in mind that most of the money you need up-front is due to start-up fees and other money to get the business going.
Try:  Determine what you'll need to open a Wetzel's Pretzels franchise by viewing the financial requirements, as well as initial costs, to open one of its pretzel chains. Visit World Franchising Network to see the financial requirements, including the cash investment needed and the initial franchise fee, for Pretzel Time.