Wetzel’s Pretzels is an American chain of
fast-food restaurants, specializing in pretzels and hot dogs. The chain has more than 370 locations across the United States, Canada and Central America, mostly located in shopping malls, airports, theme parks, and stadia; plus, as of recently,
food trucks. The company is headquartered in
Pasadena, California
Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district.
...
.
History
Wetzel’s Pretzels was founded in 1994 by Rick Wetzel and Bill Phelps in
Pasadena, California
Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district.
...
. The chain's first location opened that year at the
South Bay Galleria in nearby
Redondo Beach. Its name was inspired by childhood taunts used by Wetzel's classmates.
In 1997, Wetzel and Phelps took on multiple investors, including
John Davis and
Gary L. Wilson
Gary L. Wilson is an American business executive. He served as chairman of the board of Northwest Airlines, chief financial officer of Walt Disney Company and chief financial officer of Marriott Corporation.
Early life
Wilson was born and raised ...
. Wilson's connections to Disney paved the way for the chain to open locations at
Disneyland
Disneyland is a theme park in Anaheim, California. Opened in 1955, it was the first theme park opened by The Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. Disney initially envisio ...
and
Walt Disney World
The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or Disney World, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee. Opened on October 1, 1971, ...
.
Los Angeles-based private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Inc. bought a majority stake in the company in 2007 for an undisclosed amount. Phelps still owns a 20% share, while Wetzel holds a smaller stake.
In October 2016, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners sold majority stake to Dallas-based private equity firm CenterOak Partners LLC. after holding the majority stake for 9 years.
In 2019, Phelps was succeeded as CEO by Jennifer Schuler.
Menu
Food
Wetzel’s menu is centered around its namesake pretzels along with hot dogs and lemonade. Their signature pretzels come in various flavors such as the Wetzel’s Original (buttered or unbuttered), cinnamon sugar, pepperoni and more. Guests can also choose Bitz, more snackable pretzel bites, available in Original, Cinn-a-bitz or Pizza Bitz (with pepperoni). Other pretzel items range from the full-sized Wetzel Dog, an all-beef hotdog wrapped in pretzel or Dog Bites and Cheesy Dog Bites, the bite-sized iteration.
Beverages
Wetzel’s is known for its fresh and frozen lemonades, which are available in original and strawberry flavors. They also offer a variety of other refreshing drinks such as granitas and were the first restaurant in the snack category to introduce boba popping pearls to the menu, with flavors like Cherry and Mango.
References
External links
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{{Fast-food chains of the United States
Restaurants established in 1994
1994 establishments in California
Companies based in Los Angeles County, California
Restaurants in California
Fast-food chains of the United States
Restaurant chains in the United States
Restaurants in Greater Los Angeles
Pretzels