Philly Pretzel Factory featured in Philadelphia Daily News

Philly Pretzel Factory was recently featured in the Philadelphia Daily News in an article titled, "Pretzel CEO has a TV Twist."  Dan DiZio, CEO of Philly Pretzel Factory, discussed his experience on Undercover Boss and entrepreneurial story. He was also able to touch on details about National Pretzel Day and the promotions running at Philly Pretzel Factory locations.  For the entire article click here or continue below.

Pretzel CEO has a TV Twist

By: Dan Gross

When Dan DiZio sold pretzels on Roosevelt Boulevard and dreamed of opening his own pretzel bakery, he didn’t know what the word “franchise” meant, or that having one store could ever happen.

But now with 120 locations nationwide, the CEO and co-founder of the Philly Pretzel Factory will be on “Undercover Boss” Friday night (8 p.m., CBS 3). DiZio, 40, said he thinks every CEO should go undercover at his business and see how his employees work.

“I was sleeping on bags of flour when we first opened up, but I became a corporate guy,” DiZio said. “I said, I’m never gonna lose my roots in the pretzel business, but to get caught up in boardrooms and meetings you really do lose touch. I forget how hard it was to go to work at 3 in the morning to make pretzels,” DiZio said.

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Philly Pretzel Factory featured in QSR

Philly Pretzel Factory was featured in an article in QSR titled, “Honey, I Shrunk the Store.” The article was built from interviews with Marty Ferrill and franchisee Dave Grimaldi discussing the new kiosk option launched by Philly Pretzel Factory. Dave was the first of the existing franchisees to purchase the new model and has plans to open in it Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia. Marty discusses the decision to finally launch the kiosk to reach a greater number of potential customers and open in more heavy traffic areas. In addition, the new model also allows entrepreneurs to open the kiosks more quickly and only cost about $100,000 for the build-out. Click here to read the full article, or begin reading below.

Honey, I Shrunk the Store
By John Morell

One concept hopes an inexpensive, portable kiosk will jumpstart expansion.

As the U.S. economy shows signs of new growth in 2012, many quick serves are cautiously looking at expansion plans to see if they can jumpstart the growth that stalled with the recession.

Some franchise concepts are banking on the fact that cheaper, smaller footprints might be more attractive to potential franchisees in this rocky lending environment. One in particular, Philly Pretzel Factory, is hoping a new kiosk offering will draw new franchise partners and excite its existing franchisee base.

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Philly Pretzel Factory featured in Nation's Restaurant News

Philly Pretzel Factory was featured in an article in Nation’s Restaurant News titled, “Growth Concepts: Restaurant executives share franchising, growth strategies.” The article had a section built from Philly Pretzel Factory COO, Marty Ferrill, who discussed how the brand poised themselves for growth over 2012 and the coming years with a goal to open 25 locations this year. Philly Pretzel Factory just launched its new kiosk prototype to help new and existing franchisees open more quickly at a lower investment cost in malls, theme parks and transportation stations. With the kiosk costing just half of the traditional build-out, this now offers qualified franchisees the opportunity to open their Philly Pretzel Factory without having to looking for large business loans and makes it easier to secure financing. Click here to view the full article, or begin reading Philly Pretzel Factory's section below.

Growth concepts: Restaurant executives share franchising, growth strategies
by Mark Brandau

Marty Ferrill, chief operating officer, Philly Pretzel Factory
System size: 122 units
Growth targets: 25 openings this year, agreements for 25 more
Source for optimism: Small-footprint kiosk prototype

Our normal investment for a full bakery is typically $250,000 to $275,000 all in, and we were running into some challenges financing that. So we shrunk everything, from our ovens to our mixers, and made the footprint smaller, from about 1,400 square feet into a kiosk as small as 300 to 400 square feet. It’s a dramatic decrease in rent and build-out costs; people are now looking at a total investment of $125,000 including the franchise fee.


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Philly Pretzel Factory featured in Monroeville Times-Express

Philly Pretzel Factory was featured in the Monroeville Times-Express in an article titled “Local businessman to open pretzel shop." In the article, it talked about how Joe’s background in franchising and the success he has experienced working with major brands. Joe discussed his plans for growth of Philly Pretzel Factory in the area, and how he and his brother plan to expand further throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. The article also included some quotes from Marty Ferrill about his excitement for the Kallen brothers to do great things for the brand in the market, especially since Pittsburgh is as far west as the brand has gone. Click here to view the article or begin reading below.

Local businessman to open pretzel shop
By Karen Kadilak

The Philly Pretzel Factory store opening Friday at 3968 William Penn Highway in Monroeville is the latest in a string of businesses for Joe Kallen.

Kallen, 34, has owned franchises with three companies.

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Philly Pretzel Factory featured on Central Pennsylvania Business Journal

Philly Pretzel Factory was mentioned in the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal in an article titled, "Shop local for last-minute foodie V-Day gifts," for its heart shaped pretzels. The article disucssed ideas for Valentine's Day and gives residents ideas about where to buy fun, local gifts for the holiday and include the Philly Pretzel locations in Camp Hill, Harrisburg and Lititz. The heart-shaped pretzels will only be avaliable through Valentine's Day. Click here to read more, or begin reading below.

Shop local for last-minute foodie V-Day gifts
by Erica Streisfeld

To all the procrastinators out there, I'm here to save your Valentine's Day.

No, I'm not Cupid.

But I will share a few last-minute gift ideas that might score some points with that special someone. The rest is up to you!

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Philly Pretzel Factory featured in QSR Magazine

Philly Pretzel Factory was featured in an article in QSR Magazine titled, “Tap into this Marketing Win-Win,” built from an interview with Brent Schadler, multi-unit franchisee of Philly Pretzel Factory. Brent discussed the benefits of partnering together with organizations in his community and with national organizations like the Red Cross and the Susan G. Komen Foundation throughout the year for fundraisers as a natural marketing opportunity. By working with larger causes, Brent has been able to help local groups but has been able to more effectively stretch his marketing budget as that is one of the largest expenditures that a business makes throughout the year. Click here to view the full article, or begin reading below:

Tap into this Marketing Win-Win
A Philly Pretzel Factory franchisee reveals how community involvement grows your business, customer base, and brand awareness all at once.

Cheesesteaks aren’t the only food Philadelphia obsesses over. Brent Schadler of Philly Pretzel Factory has been serving pretzels to a loyal community in the City of Brotherly Love since 2008.

Schadler developed a grassroots-style marketing strategy at both of his Philly Pretzel units. He’s not only immersing himself in the community, but also using fundraising as a main source of marketing for his business. While contributing to national organizations like the Red Cross and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Schadler also delivers business to his units and creates relationships with local schools and churches.

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Philly Pretzel Factory featured in Philadelphia City Paper

Philly Pretzel Factory was featured in an article in the Philadelphia City Paper titled, “Pretzels, ice cream and chocolate in one University City shop.” The article features of Philly Pretzel Factory in University City. Owner, Jason Gordon, is recognized and the article also mentions that this is his third Philly B&J store and specific details about the store, which will also include Ben & Jerry’s and Wholly Cow Chocolates. Click here to view the article, or begin reading below.

Pretzels, ice cream and chocolate in one University City shop
by Drew Lazor

Jason Gordon, the franchise operator who owns the Ben and Jerry's locations at 40th and Walnut and in 30th Street Station, is opening his third Philly B&J at 3400 Civic Center Boulevard right outside CHOP. But it won't be just a scoop-and-cone operation — the storefront will also include a Philly Soft Pretzel Factory and a new concept of Gordon's own creation called Wholly Cow Chocolates.

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