News

Wetzel’s Pretzels plans Brazil entry

July 1, 2014

Wetzel’s Pretzels announced it will open its first location in Brazil by the end of this month. The new location will be at the Shopping Vila Velha Mall, a new shopping center in Vitória, one of Brazil’s most populated cities, according to a news release.

To launch Wetzel’s in Brazil, the company partnered with master franchisee Richard Holzer, a veteran in the wholesale food business. Holzer and Wetzel’s have a plan to open five Wetzel’s Pretzels in Brazil throughout the next two years.

The locations will include the same business model and menu as the U.S., but will also feature some offerings that cater to local tastes, such as a signature lemonade made with Brazilian-grown lemons, the release said.

"The international market continues to embrace Wetzel’s Pretzels, and with the emergence of a new shopping center in Vitória, we felt now was the opportune time to bring Wetzel’s to the country," CEO Bill Phelps said. "As Wetzel’s continues its domestic and international expansion, our focus remains the same, securing well-trafficked, desirable real estate and providing our franchisees with the resources to be successful."