Philly Soft Pretzel Factory featured in Smart Business Philadelphia

Philly Pretzel Factory was featured in Smart Business Philadelphia in an article titled, “Building a growth strategy at Philly Pretzel Factory,” which came out in May’s edition. The article discusses Philly Pretzel Factory from the founding to where they are now at and how they have developed a strategy to help them grow over the past 8 years. Dan DiZio and his college roommate Len Lehman have really found a way to make this once simple company grow to 120 stores down the Eastern seaboard. Looking at their strengths and their core values, they were able to create a successful system with strong framework that positioned them for continued growth. By focusing on each franchisee, the company knew that each operator would help them to build the brand in local markets and to continue to bring new ideas back to the system to keep it fresh. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

Building a growth strategy at Philly Pretzel Factory
By Erik Cassano

They were planning to close at 9 a.m. that first day.

Dan DiZio had just co-founded a small pretzel bakery with his former college roommate. He had been a stockbroker; his roommate was a psychological counselor. They had tired of the daily 9-to-5 grind and decided to pool their resources and get into the pretzel business.

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Philly Pretzel Factory featured in Dover Post

Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in the Dover Post in an article entitled “Meet Your Bakers: Anita and Joe Anderson." This article features Anita and Joe Anderson, owners of Philly Pretzel Factory of Dover, discussing what makes their pretzels unique and the attention that goes into baking the 800-1000 pretzels they make fresh every day. Anita and Joe also divulge that twisting pretzels isn’t as difficult as you might think and how important the dough is to creating the perfect Philly Pretzel Factory pretzel. Click here to view the full article!

MEET YOUR BAKERS: Philly Pretzel Factory's Anita and Joe Anderson
By Sarika Jagtiani

Dover, Del - Anita and Joe Anderson have owned the Philly Pretzel Factory for two years. They took a break from the job to talk about two years of early mornings, twisting pretzels and learning the ropes as bakers. They also offered a tip to pretzel lovers: When you buy a bag of pretzels, keep the top open to let the pretzels breathe. Otherwise the salt will melt and dampen your pretzels.

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Philly Pretzel Factory Featured in York Daily Record

Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in the York Daily Record in an article entitled "Former state cop is now 'the pretzel guy' in Windsor Twp." The article features Greg Mitchell, the franchisee of the Windsor Township location. It focuses on his entrepreneurial story in which he was a police officer for 30 years before becoming a Philly Pretzel Factory franchisee. A portion of the article is included below and can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

Former state cop is now 'the pretzel guy' in Windsor Twp.
By Kevin Horan

During his 30 years with the Pennsylvania State Police, first in York and then in Harrisburg, Greg Mitchell noticed that many people feel apprehensive talking with a police officer.

Even his neighbors chose their words carefully around Mitchell, he said. If they discussed going out the previous night, they were quick to add, "I only had one drink." If they said they were speeding, they made sure to include, "it wasn't very fast."

Mitchell retired from the force in 2008 and entered a new line of work.
The apprehension that once marked his day-to-day interactions with the public, he said, is no more.

"Most people know me as 'the pretzel guy' now," he said.

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Philly Pretzel Factory Featured in the Island Packet

To raise awareness for breast cancer awareness month, Philly Pretzel Factory of Bluffton led by local entrepreneurs, Lou Sist and Nick Frunzi, has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise money for a great cause. Throughout the month of October, Philly Pretzel Factory will be twisting ribbon shaped pretzels and selling them for $1.00 and 50% of the proceeds will be going toward breast cancer research. This is a great way to awareness for the philanthropic initiative in October and will let consumers know that they can buy pretzel ribbons and some of the proceeds will be donated back to the Foundation. Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in an article in The Island Packet. You can view the article in its entirety here.

Pretzel company marks breast cancer awareness month with a twist

Philly Pretzel Factory in Bluffton is selling pretzels shaped as ribbons this month to mark breast cancer awareness month.

The eatery at 50 Burnt Church Road, owned by Lou Sist and Nick Frunzi, will donate half the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help fund breast cancer research.

Customers who buy a pretzel ribbon will receive a paper pink ribbon to sign and place on the eatery's "Wall of Fame."

October also is national pretzel month.

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Philly Pretzel Facotry Featured in Gloucester County Times

The Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in the Gloucester County Times in an article entitled “Philly Pretzel Factory joins fight against breast cancer.” In an effort during both National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Pretzel Month, Philly Pretzel Factory has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation in efforts to help raise money for breast cancer research. In Gloucester County, this effort is being led by local franchisee, Jay Inglehearn, who is delighted by the partnership for the month of October. Jay lets residents of the area know, that at his specific location in Williamstown, they will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the ribbon shaped pretzels to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, in addition to giving guests a pink ribbon to place on their wall of fame. This partnership last year raised over $11,000 for The Foundation and has goals exceeding $20,000 this year. This is an opportunity for Williamstown residents to become part of a national campaign by contributing to a great cause. You can read the full article here.

Philly Pretzel Factory joins fight against breast cancer
By Kelly Roncace


The recent rise in unemployment has left many people out of work without health insurance.

While not being insured can be devastating to anyone, women battling breast cancer can suffer severe setbacks if they are unable to receive the medical attention they need.

In an effort to help breast cancer patients in the community, the Philly Pretzel Factory corporation reached out to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Philadelphia chapter last year.

“The company touches so many families in the community, some who may not even know about the Susan G. Komen foundation,” said Elaine Grobman, executive director of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Philadelphia affiliate. “They were worried about women in the community and wanted to help those who are battling cancer.”

Jay Inglehearn, manager of the Philly Pretzel Factory in Williamstown said the Pretzel Factory will be selling breast cancer ribbon-shaped pretzels for $1 during the month of October.

“The Philly Pretzel Factory of Williamstown is donating 100 percent of all pretzel ribbon proceeds to the foundation,” Inglehearn said.

Each ribbon pretzel purchased also comes with a pink paper ribbon that will bear the name or a message from the contributor, and hang in the store, he said.

“This is the second year we’ve partnered with the Pretzel Factory,” Grobman said. “Last year they raised $20,000 and they are hoping to raise even more this year.”

(Read More)

Philly Pretzel Factory Featured in Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal recently featured Philly Pretzel Factory franchisee Mark Cooper. Cooper discusses with WSJ reporter Julie Bennett how strategies he picked up in corporate America have helped him achieve success as a franchise owner and operator. Cooper and his wife Karen left the corporate world to get out of the daily grind and take their expertise and apply it to their own business. Karen is responsible for recruiting, training and managing employees while Mark takes the lead on selling pretzels to key decision makers. Below is a PDF of the article.

NATIONAL. Wall Street Journal 10 7 10

Franchisee Spotlight: Ken Hannigan, Owner of the Philly Pretzel Factory in Cranberry Township

We have been highlighting some of our Philly Pretzel Factory franchisees. Today, Ken Hannigan, Owner of the Cranberry Township location, is in our franchisee spotlight.

Franchisee Since: October 2008
Franchise Location: 1691 Route 228, Cranberry Township, PA 16066


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How Ken Hannigan Got Started with Philly Pretzel Factory…
Ken grew up in the New Jersey area and was surrounded by the soft pretzel culture throughout his childhood. He was extremely familiar with the brand as it continued to grow and saturate the Philadelphia and New Jersey markets. Ken and his wife, Kim, were experienced entrepreneurs who owned multiple businesses together before deciding to open their Philly Pretzel Factory. Ken saw that there was an untapped market in Cranberry Township, and felt the same success that Philly Pretzel Factory was experiencing in New Jersey and Philadelphia could be replicated there as well.

What Intrigued Ken Hannigan about Philly Pretzel Factory…
Ken and his wife, Kim, are experienced franchisees as they have owned multiple franchises together in the past. Between the two, the couple has over 12 years of franchise experience and more than 24 years of business experience. The husband and wife team conducted heavy due diligence and realized that Philly Pretzel Factory had a strong support system for both the Philly Pretzel Factory product and franchisees. The two were also attracted to the marketing campaigns and tools that are provided to Philly Pretzel Factory franchisees.

Something Interesting about Ken Hannigan’s Story…
Ken is a sponsor of the Pittsburgh Penguins and is the provider of soft pretzels at Mellon Arena and next season’s Consol Energy Center for all Pittsburgh Penguins home games. He is also involved in his local community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Ken participates with the local schools in fundraising and also takes part in neighborhood summer festivals. Ken also coaches youth soccer and is a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America.