PASADENA, Calif., July 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wetzel’s Pretzels is a brand born from the Southern California lifestyle that has cultivated fans for more than 20 years thanks to its scratch-made pretzels, fresh lemonade and craveable Cin-a-Bitz. Building on that fan passion and the brand’s ability to cultivate fanatics from coast to coast, Wetzel’s Pretzel’s director of franchise development, Frank Gonzales, will be hosting exploratory meetings with qualified multi-unit operators July 12 – 14 in Providence, Rhode Island and Boston.

Wetzel’s targeted growth plans for Boston and the Northeast area come on the heels of another banner year for the company, which included consistent, industry-leading sales growth as well being named one of the top three fastest-growing snack concepts by Franchise Times Magazine , and a Top Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine .

Beyond Wetzel’s Pretzels’ sales momentum, company leadership view Boston and the greater Northeast as fantastic growth opportunities thanks to the area’s heavy tourism, economic growth and construction boom, including an influx of regional development to the tune of $7B. Currently, the brand has the following immediate opportunities available:

  • Liberty Tree Mall
  • Natick Mall
  • Wrentham Premium Outlets

“Wetzel’s Pretzels’ menu items sit at a fantastic intersection of being quick, affordable snacks that are made from scratch with limited ingredients, exactly what today’s consumers are looking for,” said Jennifer Schuler, Wetzel’s Pretzel’s President. “This brand is positioned for immediate and long-term growth thanks to operational simplicity, unit size flexibility and the corporate team’s core focus on franchisee profitability. We believe there is a tremendous opportunity across Boston and the Northeast and look forward to partnering with operators to bring this beloved West Coast brand to life throughout the area.”

Beyond traditional mall buildouts, Wetzel’s Pretzels is able to capitalize on various nontraditional locations as the brand offers a variety of build-out options to accommodate most any space, including both baking and non-baking kiosks, as well as remote units that can supplement a traditional in-line location. It’s a concept that can truly fit anywhere there is appropriate space.

Those interested in learning more about Wetzel’s Pretzels can contact Gonzales to schedule an initial discussion at 909.717.9843 or frank@wetzels.com . Alternatively, operators who are looking to expand or diversify their holdings can visit Wetzel’s Pretzels’ franchise site .

About Wetzel's Pretzels

Armed with a vision and a tasty recipe for soft pretzel perfection, Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel opened the first Wetzel's Pretzels bakery in Redondo Beach, Calif., in 1994. Long lines of hungry customers soon formed, attracted by mouth-watering soft pretzels that were hand-rolled, baked fresh and served hot from the oven. As word spread about these golden-on-the-outside pretzels, the company added additional offerings to its menu. Today, Wetzel's Pretzels has grown to more than 340 fresh bakeries across the United States and around the world, including premier locations at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Every Wetzel's Pretzels bakery adheres to the original vision of its founders; that each super-premium pretzel will be crafted from fresh dough and baked in-store consistently throughout the day, to ensure a delicious offering for each consumer, regardless of when the craving for a pretzel strikes. For additional information on Wetzel's Pretzels or franchise opportunities, please visit the  website , call (626) 432-6900, "Like" them on  Facebook  and follow them on  Twitter  and Instagram .

Media Contact: Josh Levitt Canvas Blue for Wetzel’s Pretzels 949.215.1438 JLevitt@canvasblue.com   

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...aa6cfff842