News

Wetzel's Pretzels FY results prove offbeat locations work

February 8, 2017

Wetzel's Pretzels completed 12 straight quarters of same-store sales growth, with comparabele same-store sales up 4.4 percent during FY 2016, according to a news release. 

Recent additions of various multi-unit franchise partners ensure expansion in the year ahead when stores will pass the 320 mark, according to a news release. 

"We attribute this growth to a variety of factors, including offering the best-tasting, freshest product, exceptional customer service and a corporate philosophy that places a priority on franchise profitability," CEO and Co-founder Bill Phelps, said in a news release. "There is tremendous white space for Wetzel's Pretzels both domestically — in malls, bus stations, Walmarts, stadiums and airports — and internationally. 

"With our strong unit economics and same-store sales growth, we expect to capitalize on those opportunities by recruiting more multi-unit developers into our system and offering incentives for growth."

2016 Highlights:
•    Achieved comparable same-store sales increases of 4.4 percent.
•    Q4 was twelfth consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth
•    Grew numbers of non-traditional units, including openings in Walmart locations and Manhattan's Fulton Center.  
•    Opened 23 units, including the company's first Saudi Arabia location.
•    Launched app allowing for mobile pay and e-gift cards.

2017 Outlook:
•    Continued expansion and multi-unit developer recruitment.  
•    Launching new Bitz flavor, after successful launch of Pizza Bitz, which accounted for up to 10 percent of net sales system-wide.
•    Additional expansion in Saudi Arabia.