PRETZELMAKER
Pretzelmaker franchises operate retail restaurants specializing in hand-rolled soft pretzels of various flavors, pretzel dogs, bites, toppings, frozen pretzels, and related beverages and food items under the Pretzelmaker brand. The franchisor offers single-unit franchises for traditional standalone locations, non-traditional venues like food courts, satellites, and multi-unit development agreements, as well as co-branding opportunities with affiliate brands such as Marble Slab Creamery, Great American Cookies, and Hot Dog on a Stick. Their business model focuses on franchising to operators in high-traffic areas like malls and shopping centers, targeting customers seeking quick, indulgent snack options.
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
7% royalty + 2% ad fund + $70-$125/mo brand technology system support
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 103 Pretzelmaker only and co-branded Great American Cookies U.S. franchised Restaurants open for the full year from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
* Average gross revenue and median gross revenue were directly extracted from 'Table 1 - Net Sales' for 'Total' All Pretzelmaker Restaurants on Page 2. Revenue top quartile was estimated by taking the average of the minimum and maximum values for the 'Over $850,000' range (highest reported segment) in 'Table 2 - Range of Net Sales' on Page 2. Revenue bottom quartile was estimated by taking the average of the minimum and maximum values for the 'Under $249,999' range (lowest reported segment) in 'Table 2 - Range of Net Sales' on Page 2. A discrepancy was noted: 'Table 1 - Net Sales' reports 103 total units, while the sum of units in 'Table 2 - Range of Net Sales' is 102. Profit-related fields (average_net_income, average_net_profit, average_ebitda, ebitda_margin_pct, best_guess_profit_low, best_guess_profit_high) are set to null because the document explicitly states on Page 5 that it 'omits all operating costs and expenses related to operation of a restaurant except food, paper and store level labor,' making it impossible to accurately determine full profit or EBITDA.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How PRETZELMAKER Compares to Other General Retail Franchises
Key Insights
- Top 10 largest franchise system in General Retail
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in General Retail
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PRETZELMAKER Current | $392K - $573K | $25K | 7.0% | 129 |
| ACE HARDWARE | $604K - $2.0M | $5K | N/A | 4,885 |
| DO IT BEST CORP. | $565K - $1.3M | $9K | N/A | 3,407 |
| WINDOW WORLD, WORLD OF WINDOWS | $123K - $331K | $45K | N/A | 209 |
| FLEET FEET, FLEET FEET TRIATHLETE | $229K - $545K | $45K | 4.0% | 192 |
| TECHY | $119K - $400K | $15K | 7.0% | 62 |
General Retail Average 14 franchises | $502K - $1.0M | $108K | 5.7% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 14 General Retail 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
+22 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for PRETZELMAKER franchisees (2010 - 2018)
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)
Rescission and breach of international multi-unit franchise development agreement.
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 PRETZELMAKER franchise?
The total initial investment to open a PRETZELMAKER franchise ranges from $391,500 to $573,000. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 7.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a PRETZELMAKER franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a PRETZELMAKER franchise is $559,357. The median revenue is $484,275.
How many PRETZELMAKER franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, PRETZELMAKER has 129 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2008.
Can you get an SBA loan for a PRETZELMAKER franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for PRETZELMAKER franchises. Historical data shows 15 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for PRETZELMAKER franchisees, with an average loan amount of $177,720. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is PRETZELMAKER a good franchise to buy?
PRETZELMAKER shows several positive indicators: established brand with 129+ locations, 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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