Auntie Anne's

Auntie Anne's is a renowned American franchise specializing in freshly baked soft pretzels, dips, and beverages. Founded in 1988 by Anne F. Beiler and her husband, Jonas, in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, the brand has grown to over 1,200 locations across the United States and internationally.

The journey began when Anne Beiler started making hand-rolled pretzels at a market stand in Maryland. In February 1988, she rented a stand in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and called it Auntie Anne's Pretzels. The Beilers tweaked the recipe and found success.

Anne had no previous business experience and only an eighth-grade education, but she had eight standalone stores and her first Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels store in a mall after a year. The only advertising was customer rave reviews. In 1989, the first franchises opened in Central Pennsylvania.

Product Offerings

Auntie Anne's offers a variety of products, including:

• Classic pretzels
• Pretzel dogs
• Cinnamon sugar pretzels
• A range of dips and beverages

The menu caters to diverse tastes and emphasizes a commitment to quality, using high-quality ingredients and traditional baking methods for a satisfying snack experience.

Company Ownership and Growth

In 2010, Auntie Anne's was acquired by Focus Brands, now known as GoTo Foods, a portfolio company of private equity firm Roark Capital. This acquisition has enabled the brand to expand its reach and continue growth in the competitive food and beverage industry.

As of March 27, 2025, Auntie Anne's operates 1,380 locations across the United States. Pennsylvania has the highest concentration, with 135 locations, making up about 10% of all U.S. Auntie Anne's stores.

International Presence

In addition to its U.S. presence, Auntie Anne's has expanded internationally, with over 600 locations in various countries, including:

• United Kingdom
• Canada
• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Egypt
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Taiwan
• United Arab Emirates

Community Involvement

Auntie Anne's is active in community service and charitable work. From 1999 to 2009, the company and its franchisees donated more than $4.5 million to local children's hospitals through the Children's Miracle Network.

Since 2011, the brand has supported the pediatric cancer charity Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and partnered with Food Donation Connection to donate extra pretzel products to local hunger relief organizations.

Homemade Baking Mix

For customers interested in making Auntie Anne's pretzels at home, the company offers the "Pretzels & More Homemade Baking Mix," allowing fans to recreate the delicious experience in their kitchens.

Locations

Auntie Anne's key location includes:

• Los Angeles, CA, USA

Overall, Auntie Anne's has established itself as a leading brand in the soft pretzel industry, known for quality products, strong community involvement, and a growing global presence.