Wetzel’s Pretzels opens 500th store

Don’t get it twisted, fresh, hot soft pretzels are still big business, and the U.S.’s leading chain has achieved a milestone that proves it.

Today, Wetzel’s Pretzels announced the opening of their 500th store in Porter Ranch, CA. The brand marked the occasion with an on-site celebration that brought together members of the Wetzel’s team, partners, guests, and other members of the local community to eat, interact, and share in the positive buzz of the occasion.

“This 500th store is an incredible milestone for our brand,” said Sarah Curtis, Head of Marketing for Wetzel’s Pretzels. “It reflects the passion and dedication of our franchise partners and team members who bring our fresh, made-daily pretzels to life in communities across the country. We’re proud to celebrate this moment in Porter Ranch.”

The historic 500th location opening demonstrates the strong momentum Wetzel’s Pretzels has from a growth and development perspective as we approach the halfway mark in 2026. The brand has continued to find ways to grow, open new stores, and set franchisees up for success in recent years, even as foot traffic has declined in the shopping malls where the brand first became a household name.

The pretzel powerhouse also recently announced it will open 17 co-branded locations in a partnership with Cold Stone Creamery between now and end-of-year. Both chains are managed by Kahala Brands, whose portfolio of nearly 30 quick service restaurants also contains recognizable names like Blimpie, Pink Berry, Taco Time, Planet Smoothie, Baja Fresh, and Great Steak.

Wetzel’s Pretzels was founded by Rick Wetzel and launched at Redondo Beach’s South Bay Galleria back in 1994. The company began franchising less than two years later on the strength of a straightforward model and strong word of mouth. Over the last 30-plus years, the brand has evolved from a West Coast favorite to a globally known name by delivering fresh-baked, tasty, and innovative handheld snacks. They reached 100 units in 2001, 200 units in 2008, and 400 locations in 2024.