Earlier in the year, the Focus Brands-owned Auntie Anne’s Pretzels chain of quick serve hand rolled soft pretzel stores reported that it had plans of opening over 100 new domestic locations in 2015 with an emphasis on non-traditional growth. The 1600 unit franchise opened more than 90 non-traditional locations in 2014. In early 2014, the chain opened its first theme park location and at the end of the year, it opened its 13th theme park location in Universal CityWalk in Orlando. In addition, in August 2014, the chain formed a agreement with the Grand Rapids-based Meijer Inc., a regional retail chain and in the Spring, it will open its third location inside a Meijer location in Allen Park in Michigan. Each new location in 2015 will be built incorporating the brand’s new store design. Since its debut in May 2014, more than 40 stores now feature the new look and feel, which resembles a home kitchen with warmer tones, new ovens and redesigned equipment. In addition, the franchise has recently entered Aruba and Canada and plans on additional international development in 2015. Featuring its fresh baked pretzels, the franchise locates in malls and outlet centers as well as in airports, travel centers, train stations, amusement parks, colleges and universities as well as in stores. The typical in-line unit can range in 450 to 650 square foot locations though the design is flexible. The preferred size for a baking kiosk is at lease 230 square feet with utility hook-ups and 150 to 200 square feet of nearby storage is necessary. Satellite locations that are supplied by another site can operate in about 76 square feet.
CATEGORY: Quick Service
Chain Name: Auntie Anne’s
Company Name: Auntie Anne’s Inc.
Street Address: 48-50 West Chestnut St., Suite 200, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603
Tel: 717/435-1479 or 877/778-9588 Fax: 717/435-1471
Email: [email protected] Website: www.auntieannesfranchising.com
Menu Specialty: Fresh baked, hand rolled soft pretzels
Introduced: Anne and Jonas Beiler introduced the hand rolled soft pretzel concept in 1988 in Downingtown, Pennsylvania and the first franchise opened in 1989
No. of Locations: Over 1600 locations in over 30 countries.
Areas of Operation: Worldwide
Types of Location: Kiosks and in-line units in malls and outlet centers as well as in airports, travel centers, train stations, amusement parks, colleges and universities as well as in-store ‘leased departments’.
BusinessType (corp., franchise, jv): Franchise
Size Req’d: In-line unit operates in 450 to 650 square foot locations though the design is flexible. The preferred size for a baking kiosk is at lease 230 square feet with utility hook-ups and 150 to 200 square feet of nearby storage is necessary. Satellite locations that are supplied by another site can operate in about 76 square feet.
Special Requirements (patio, drive-thru, etc): High pedestrian traffic, leading edge of food courts, anchored mall.
Contact Name: William P. Dunn – President, CEO
Beth Monaghan – Chief Administration Officer
Dale Smucker – Vice President, Purchasing & Distribution
Brian Boycan – Vice President, Non-Traditional Development
Heather Neary – Chief Marketing Officer
Okey Reese – Vice President, Real Estate
Tracey Grinestaff – Vice President, Legal & COmpliance
REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVES:
FRANCHISE REPRESENTATIVES:
PARENT COMPANY: Focus Brands International, 200 Glenridge Point Pkwy., Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia 30342 (404/255-3250 www.focusbrands.com)
Related Chains: Carvel, Moe’s Southwest Grill,Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s Bakery Café, McAlister’s Deli
Last Report: Restaurant & QSR Expansion Report #131 Last Update:
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