Wetzel's Pretzels vs Ben's Soft Pretzels Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wetzel's Pretzels vs Ben's Soft Pretzels including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Ben's Soft Pretzels Franchise
Investment $126,600 - $405,850$107,200 - $339,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 7%6%
Advertising Fee 1%1.5%
Year Founded 19942008
Year Franchised 19962013
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Ben's Soft Pretzels Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Ben's Soft Pretzels Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment Yes/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Ben's Soft Pretzels Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours As a Franchise Partner, you will receive many different forms of hands-on training. We focus on teaching you how to run your business, as well as, how to make our legendary Ben's Soft Pretzel products. We are here to help you every step of the way. * 101 Training (3-Days at Ben's Soft Pretzels University): We walk you through all of the important aspects of starting and managing a successful business. * Reality Training (5-Days at Ben's Soft Pretzels University). In this training we show you everything you need to know about making our delicious pretzel products. * In-Store Training (6-Days). We send a Pretzel Professor to your bakery for 6 days when you open your store to help train your staff in the art of perfect pretzel making. * On-Going Training. We offer multiple training opportunities throughout the year for both Franchise Partners and Bakery Managers. We also offer monthly Franchise Partners conference calls, an online forum, and weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date with the latest happenings surrounding our business.
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app Here at Ben's Soft Pretzels we are fortunate to have a brand that customers L-O-V-E. Our easy-to-follow marketing programs allow franchise partners to focus their marketing efforts locally. We assist you in turning customers into raving pretzel-loving fans. From announcing the opening of your bakery, to planning your Grand Opening, to growing your brand online, we help our franchise partners every step of the way. We come along side you to create a finely-tuned marketing plan to connect with customers, influencers and community leaders near your bakery. Throughout the year we offer ongoing marketing training to keep up to speed with the most effective marketing tools and tactics.
    Operations 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

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    Expansion Plans

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Ben's Soft Pretzels Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Wetzel's Pretzels

    Wetzel's Pretzels founded by Rick Wetzel & Bill Phelps, former marketing executives in 1994. 1st Wetzel's Pretzels located in South Bay Galleria in Southern California. First store was opened in 1995 Century City, Hollywood.
    In 1996 Wetzel's Pretzels began franchising. Currently they have locations across United States (Universal City, Staples Center, Dodgers Stadium, Disneyland, Disney world) & internationally. Currently co-branding relationship with Cold Stone Creamery, Swensen's, Juice It Up and more.
    Beginning of 2016 Wetzel's franchise fast food restaurants had 298 locations out of them 269 US locations; 2 in Canada; 19 worldwide; and 8 owned by the company itself.

    Popular products:
    Pretzels, consisting of several different flavors
    Frozen Lemonade, sold in a variety of flavors.
    Frozen Granita, a frozen version of the Italian dessert
     
    The franchisor offers 3 franchise programs:
    1. A single Wetzel's Pretzels Bakery. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Wetzel's Pretzels Bakery ranges from $164,950 to $405,850. This includes approximately between $42,350 and $50,750 that must be paid to the franchisor. If Wetzel's Pretzels grants you a license to operate a Remote Mobile Unit under a Remote Mobile Unit Addendum to your Franchise Agreement, you will also pay it a fee of $5,000 for a Remote Mobile Unit.
    2. Multiple Wetzel's Pretzels Bakeries within a defined area pursuant to a Multi-Unit Development Agreement. There is an initial development fee of $15,000 multiplied by the number of Bakeries which you must open, plus the balance of the initial franchise fee ($20,000) for your first Franchise Agreement. You will pay an initial franchise fee of $35,000 for each Bakery ($22,500 for a second Bakery in the same mall). However, the franchisor will credit the development fee against the initial franchise fees (at the rate of $15,000 for the second and each subsequent Franchise Agreement).
    3. A single Wetzel's Pretzels Concession Truck or Trailer. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Wetzel's Pretzels Concession Truck or Trailer ranges from $126,600 to $275,850. This includes approximately between $9,000 and $14,750 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    "Entrepreneur
    #497 in Franchise 500 for 2020.








    About Ben's Soft Pretzels

    Ben's Soft Pretzels is an Amish-roused Pretzel Bakery serving amazing, additive free, hot pretzels and other pretzel items at an incredible esteem. Cushy, a dissolve in-your-mouth taste, and regularly delighted in with a wide exhibit of gourmet plunging sauces, Ben's Soft Pretzels are very nearly 2x the measure of different pretzels and highlight imported salt from Germany. Supported by the Perfect Pretzel Promise, on the off chance that you are not 100% content with your item bring back the uneaten bit and we will re-make it. We will do this until you are 100% cheerful! For franchisee applicants, Ben's Soft Pretzels is quickly extending in prime markets all through the US. Being a piece of the Ben's Soft Pretzels family permits people to wind up entrepreneurs with a demonstrated framework and scrumptious item that is sought after. What's more, Ben's Soft Pretzels offers solid brand mindfulness, hands-on preparing, and many levels of progressing backing for establishment proprietors. Land is accessible at this point. Ben's Soft Pretzels has deliberately adjusted to various landowners to give moment store accessibility.
    Looking to turn dough into dough? Come roll with us! Franchising opportunities are available.
    Ben’s Soft Pretzels has more than 115+ locations across the US and we are growing rapidly! Have a pretzel day!
    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee