Ben's Soft Pretzels
Ben’s Soft Pretzels Franchising Corporation grants franchises for operating BEN’S SOFT PRETZELS Stores that specialize in fresh soft pretzels, pretzel pockets, soft drinks, and other menu items prepared according to proprietary recipes, specifications, and standards. The business model focuses on franchising small-format stores (290-1,100 sq ft) and mobile units in high-traffic locations like malls, airports, stadiums, or retailers, with support for independently owned operations. It targets consumers seeking quick-service gourmet pretzel snacks in captive and retail venues.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty + 1.5% ad fund + $279.50/mo POS/technology fee + $200/mo lease administration fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Gross Sales for 62 franchisee-owned stores that were open and operated for the entire 2024 Measurement Period. Specific exclusions mentioned in the FDD (e.g., baseball parks, new stores not open entire year) may account for the difference between this sample size and the total franchised outlets listed in the Systemwide Outlet Summary.
* Calculated average, median, top quartile, and bottom quartile gross revenue from individual Gross Sales figures for 62 franchisee-owned stores for the 2024 Measurement Period. Individual store figures were extracted from the 'Franchisee-Owned Operating Stores' tables across pages 3, 4, and 5 of the FDD. For 'Multi-Store Operators' and 'Venue/Mobile only' sections, individual component sales were used as distinct units if they were clearly delineated and summed up to the main entry's total; otherwise, the consolidated total for the business unit was used as one unit's sales. No information on net income, net profit, EBITDA, or expenses was provided.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Ben's Soft Pretzels Compares to Other Fast Food Franchises
Key Insights
- Lower investment than 90% of Fast Food franchises
- Higher than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Food
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ben's Soft Pretzels Current | $122K - $345K | $30K | 6.0% | 78 |
| Burger King | $2.1M - $4.7M | $50K | 4.5% | 19,732 |
| MCDONALD'S | $1.5M - $2.6M | $45K | N/A | 12,772 |
| AFC | $45K - $151K | $6K | 9.5% | 3,572 |
| SONIC DRIVE-IN | $1.7M - $3.1M | $15K | 5.0% | 3,441 |
| JIMMY JOHN'S | $366K - $728K | $35K | 6.0% | 2,647 |
Fast Food Average 127 franchises | $605K - $1.5M | $35K | 6.1% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 127 Fast Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Ben's Soft Pretzels franchisees (2015 - 2024)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Ben's Soft Pretzels franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Ben's Soft Pretzels franchise ranges from $122,200 to $344,500. This includes a franchise fee of $30,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a Ben's Soft Pretzels franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a Ben's Soft Pretzels franchise is $267,127.37. The median revenue is $197,995.
How many Ben's Soft Pretzels franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Ben's Soft Pretzels has 78 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2013.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Ben's Soft Pretzels franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Ben's Soft Pretzels franchises. Historical data shows 10 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Ben's Soft Pretzels franchisees, with an average loan amount of $69,620. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is Ben's Soft Pretzels a good franchise to buy?
Ben's Soft Pretzels shows several positive indicators: transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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