Wetzel’s Pretzels
A classic snack food chain specializing in freshly baked, hand-rolled soft pretzels.
Wetzel’s Pretzels
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Wetzel’s Pretzels
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Wetzel's Pretzels began in 1994 when co-founders Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel opened their first bakery in Redondo Beach, California. Their vision was simple: serve mouth-watering, hand-rolled soft pretzels, baked fresh and hot from the oven. This commitment to quality quickly drew long lines of hungry customers, and as demand grew, so did their menu and footprint. Today, Wetzel's Pretzels boasts over 340 fresh bakeries across the U.S. and globally, including prime locations at Disney Resorts. Every bakery upholds the founders' original vision, ensuring each super-premium pretzel is crafted from fresh dough and baked consistently throughout the day for a perfect treat every time.
The story of Wetzel's Pretzels began in 1994, when Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel co-founded the company, making an initial investment of $150,000. Their vision was to bring fresh, hot pretzels to bustling locations, quickly establishing a beloved brand.
Building on their early success, Wetzel's Pretzels secured an Angel Round investment. This crucial capital infusion helped fuel their expansion, with Bill Phelps remaining at the helm as CEO through 2019, guiding the company's steady growth for over two decades.
The growth trajectory continued impressively into 2022, culminating in a private equity majority sale. This transaction underscores Wetzel's Pretzels' sustained popularity and its strong, consistent performance in the competitive food service industry.

