Pasadena Pretzel Innovator Expects Further Expansion in 2017

Wetzel’s Pretzels, an innovator in fresh-baked pretzels with headquarters in Pasadena, said Tuesday it expects to have over 320 locations worldwide by the end of the year, ensuring a robust 2017 expansion.

The international chain, with more than 300 locations now open, announced the highlights and financial results for its fiscal year 2016 and the outlook for 2017, saying it has achieved a 4.4 percent increase in comparable same-store sales. The 2016 fourth quarter also marked the 12th straight consecutive quarter it recorded same-store sales growth.

2016 also saw continued non-traditional unit growth for the company, including the opening of Wetzel’s locations at multiple Walmart locations, and in Manhattan’s Fulton Center, with daily foot traffic exceeding 300,000. The company opened 23 units, including the company’s first Saudi Arabia location.

“While the restaurant sector was essentially flat in 2016, Wetzel’s continued to drive same-store sales increases,” said Bill Phelps, co-founder and CEO of Wetzel’s Pretzels. “We attribute this growth to a variety of factors, including offering the best-tasting, freshest product, exceptional customer service and a corporate philosophy that places a priority on franchise profitability.”

In 2016, Wetzel’s Pretzels also launched its user-friendly app for iOS and Android devices, allowing for both mobile pay and e-gift cards.

For 2017, the company intends to continue its expansion within many other Walmart locations, and will be recruiting multi-unit developers to expand into strategic areas of the country.

It will also launch a new Bitz flavor, following on the heels of Pizza Bitz, one of the most successful new product introductions in the company’s history. Pizza Bitz accounted for up to 10 percent of net sales across the system.

“There is tremendous white space for Wetzel’s Pretzels both domestically and internationally,” Phelps said. “With our strong unit economics and same-store sales growth, we expect to capitalize on those opportunities by recruiting more multi-unit developers into our system and offering incentives for growth.”

Phelps and Rick Wetzel opened the first Wetzel’s Pretzels bakery in Redondo Beach in 1994. Today, the company has grown to more than 300 fresh bakeries across the U.S. and around the world, with premier locations at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

For additional information on Wetzel’s Pretzels or franchise opportunities, visit www.wetzels.com or call (626) 432-6900.