Philly Pretzel featured in Nation's Restaurant News

The article discusses how franchisors learn from franchisees. It mentions that the Pepperoni Melt was discovered on “Undercover Boss.”

Restaurant brands improve with franchisee input
by Mark Brandau for Nation's Restaurant News

More recently, the Philly Pretzel Factory franchise began selling the Pepperoni Melt Pretzel, an item it first discovered by the chain’s chief executive during the filming of an “Undercover Boss” episode at a franchised restaurant.

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Click here to read the article.

Franchisee Profile: Scott Kallen, Franchisee of Bridgeville, PA

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Scott Kallen is a serial entrepreneur known for his ability to take a struggling business and turn it into a cash cow. This is why the people at Philly Pretzel Factory enlisted Scott to help them turn around a Philly Pretzel Factory with lots of potential that needed a facelift. Here, Scott tells us about his impressive track record, how he got involved with Philly Pretzel Factory, and where he plans to take the business in the future!

Q: Before Philly Pretzel Factory, what were you involved with?
A: I’ve always been a turnaround guy. I started at age 21 with a pizzeria that was in such bad shape that I was able to buy it for almost nothing. Within two years I managed to quadruple sales and had turned it into a local favorite. Then I did the same thing with one of Rita’s Water Ice’s struggling corporate stores. I went into a business partnership with my father, Steve Kallen, who did construction, and we were able to do another complete turnaround and expand to five locations in eight years. I think the key to successful business is a fresh product and excellent customer service—the kind that goes above and beyond and makes guests want to come back again and again because they’re treated so well each and every time.

Q: How did you get involved with Philly Pretzel Factory?
A: Well, in the middle of my Rita’s Water Ice venture I met a lady from Pittsburgh and ended up selling off all my stores so I could get married and move out to Pittsburgh with her. We bought a house here and had a baby. Things are great but I’m ready to re-establish myself as an entrepreneur here. So, when the people at Philly Pretzel Factory’s corporate office gave me a call and asked if I’d be interested in another revival project, I decided to go for it! I think this Bridgeville location has a ton of potential—it’s a great area and Philly Pretzel Factory has an excellent product and a great franchise system. I’m excited to turn this store into something special.

Q: What have been some career milestones for you/your business?
A: When I bought this store last month, it needed some serious TLC. I think the main issue was that people didn’t even know it was open anymore—it didn’t even have an OPEN sign! Now I’m in the process of a complete turnaround and already things are going great. We’ve already got the store all cleaned up, the lights in the store and parking lot are now working, we’ve gotten signage and put a nice big OPEN sign in the window. On February 5th we had a comeback celebration for the entire community, featuring tons of family-friendly activities including clowns, a magic show, kids twisting their own pretzels, live music, and three free pretzels for every man, woman, and child—no purchase necessary, no strings attached. It was just a fun family event to spread the word that Philly Pretzel Factory of Bridgeville is under new management, back in action and better than ever!

Q: What are your future goals? Development plans?
A: Right now I’m focused on making Philly Pretzel Factory of Bridgeville the best it can be, a neighborhood favorite and the place people go to for the best pretzels and the best atmosphere in town. In the future, who knows? We’ll see!

Philly Pretzel Factory Featured in Reading Eagle

Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in an article in the Reading Eagle. The article talks about the unveiling of the cheesesteak pretzel and the upcoming promotion for free cheesesteak pretzels. Below you will find a sample of the article along with a link to it in its entirety.

Food freebie
A dilly from Philly

Philly Pretzel Factory, with locations at 500 Penn St. and in Muhlenberg Township, will be promoting a new offering with a free lunch promotion Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It's called the Cheese-steak pretzel, combining its original Philly pretzel recipe with top-quality steak."While not all marriages are guaranteed success, this team nearly hits perfection," said Dan DiZio, president and co-founder of the Philadelphia-based chain.

The Cheesesteak pretzel is seen as extending the franchise's offerings, so that customers can stop in for a snack, lunch or dinner.

(READ MORE)

Philly Pretzel Factory Featured in The Mercury

Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in The Mercury, the local daily newspaper for Pottstown, PA. The article was published both online and print today, May 21st. The article was built from the Cheesesteak Pretzel press release and our pitching efforts. Below is the article along with a link to the original source.

Philly Pretzel Factory to offer free Philly Cheesesteak pretzels

PHILADELPHIA — Philly Pretzel Factory has revolutionized the soft pretzel by bringing together two of Philadelphia's oldest and most beloved foods: The pretzel and the cheesesteak. The pretzels offer a one-two punch of thinly sliced steak, combined with cheese and wrapped up in a warm, Philly soft pretzel, creating a one-of-a-kind food.

"While not all marriages are guaranteed success, this team nearly hits perfection," said Dan DiZio, president and co-founder of Philly Pretzel Factory, a 100-plus-unit chain born and raised in Philadelphia.

DiZio noted that the brand will release the new product with a free lunch promotion for a Cheesesteak Pretzel, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Monday, May 24, at participating locations.

Philly Pretzel Factory was founded in 1998 by college buddies Dan DiZio and Len Lehman who created a recipe unique to Philly, yet desired in any market. Today, the award-winning pretzel feeds customers at more than 100 franchised locations, primarily in the Northeast. For more information on Philly Pretzel Factory, visit www.phillypretzelfactory.com.

(READ MORE)

Philly Pretzel Factory Featured in Charlotte Observer

Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in an article in the Charlotte Observer entitled, “Free cheesesteak pretzels, for those who dare”. The article was built from an interview with George Heck and focuses on the new Cheesesteak Pretzel as well as George’s entrepreneurial story and success as the only location in North Carolina. Below is a portion of the article along with a link to the article in its entirety.

Free cheesesteak pretzels, for those who dare
Jen Aronoff

The one and only N.C. location of the Philly Pretzel Factory, in Mooresville, will be giving away its newest product from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - a cheesesteak pretzel. The pocket sandwich (alas, not pictured at left) combines two iconic foodstuffs from the City of Brotherly Love, with thinly sliced steak and American cheese wrapped in a warm soft pretzel.

Will it be two great tastes that taste great together? The Mooresville shop's co-owner, George Heck, sure thinks so. Eager to expand his lunch menu, the native of Riverton, N.J. - just across the river from Philadelphia - began experimenting with pocket sandwiches using pretzel dough about eight months ago and was pleased with the result. The Philly-based company is now selling such items in all its stores, and is aiming to launch them with the help of the Monday giveaway. The cheesesteak pretzels - admittedly, perhaps not for the faint of stomach - normally sell for $3.50 apiece, $6 for two or $5 as part of a combo that includes a drink and (naturally) a regular pretzel. (If you're looking for the famous cheesesteak with Cheez Wiz, though, look elsewhere: "The best cheesesteak is with white American cheese," Heck said.)

(READ MORE)

Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in the Delaware Coast Press!

Two Philly favorites come together

Pretzel factory brings a new taste to Delaware shore

REHOBOTH BEACH -- It's warm, buttery and salty and Paul Sarnak hopes it becomes just as popular in Delaware as it is in his home state of Pennsylvania.

What's he talking about? The Philadelphia-style pretzel.

"They are almost as big as the cheesesteaks up there," said Sarnak, who recently purchased the Philly Pretzel Factory, located on Route 1 near Lewes. "It's a unique product that people can enjoy for a low cost."

Sarnak reopened the franchise March 17, and is excited about his new venture.

"I'm a real estate agent by trade, but I've always been interested in this franchise," he said. "I just jumped at the opportunity."

Along with classic flavors such as plain, salted, poppy, sesame, garlic and everything, Sarnak will introduce a new item, the cheesesteak pretzel, on May 17. (Read More)