Philly Pretzel Factory featured in the Central Penn Business Journal

Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured CPBJ.com in an article titled, "Philly Pretzel Factory planning Central Pa. growth."  The article discusses the success of Philly Pretzel referring to the franchise growth in 2007  and 2008 and how it plans on expanding with 10 new locations in 2012.  Click here for the entire article or see below.

Philly Pretzel planning Central Pa. growth
By: Jason Scott

With locations already on the East and West shores as well as Lancaster, the popular Philly Pretzel Factory franchise could soon be adding stores in Central Pennsylvania.

“We could easily add a few more stores in the Harrisburg general area,” said President Marty Ferrill.

The pretzel maker has 119 stores — nearly 70 in Pennsylvania, including three in the midstate — and operates in eight states. The goal is 10 new locations in 2012, Ferrill said.

“It’s not like it was,” he said, referring to the franchise growth in 2007 and 2008 when the company added about 75 stores.

Founded in 1998, Philly Pretzel Factory has begun building smaller-scale factory locations to reflect changes in the marketplace and jumpstart expansion. The new-look locations are about 300 to 400 square feet and cost about $125,000 for franchise owners, Ferrill said.

The traditional factory locations are about 1,200 square feet and cost about $250,000, he said. Many are freestanding locations in strip mall shopping centers.

The kiosk model is designed for smaller mall spaces and entertainment venues. The company has opened locations at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in the Lehigh Valley and at the Philadelphia Zoo.

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