Franchising

Wetzel's Pretzels launches program for women, minority franchisees

Provided

February 23, 2023

Wetzel's Pretzels has launched its Wetzel's Pretzels Access to Equity program designed to make franchise ownership accessible to women and ethnic minorities. The program will attempt to create pathways to ownership, provide financial discounts and will offer educational and mentorship opportunities to underrepresented candidates from all backgrounds, according to a press release.

The program is powered by Jennifer Schuler, Wetzel's first female CEO, and seeks to eliminate barriers and provide prospective franchisees with access to capital.

"While our pretzels are a delicious treat, they represent something bigger to our franchisees, and that is a dream of entrepreneurship coming to fruition," Schuler said in the press release. "We've been hard at work designing this program to both level the playing field and elevate conversations within our system and across the industry about diversity and inclusion. Our franchisees make it possible to 'Bring Pretzels to the People,' so our top priority is providing them with the connections to capital, education and support they need to succeed."

The Access to Equity Program will offer a 25% financial discount off the initial Wetzel's franchisee fee to qualified potential franchisees who self-identify as female or as an ethnic minority. To supplement on-the-job training, Wetzel's has partnered with Operation Hope and Start Small Think Big to provide business education, access to professional services and financial counseling. The program will also foster a sense of community for franchisees.

"We're proud to partner with Wetzel's to support and elevate aspiring female and minority entrepreneurs, helping to make business ownership attainable and blaze a trail for future leaders of underrepresented communities," Lance Triggs, executive vice president at Operation Hope, said in the press release. "Operation HOPE's 1MBB program was uniquely designed to meet the needs of dreamers who are ready to launch and grow. Our team is here to support them every step of the way."

Daintry McFadden is the program's first franchise partner. "I'm so thankful to the Wetzel's team for their incredible support in making this longtime dream of restaurant ownership a reality," McFadden said in the press release.

Wetzel's Pretzels operates more than 370 bakeries.