Wetzel’s Pretzels is expanding its California footprint with a new food truck cruising through North Orange County. The truck will be owned and operated by pretzel lovers, spanning generations from grandmother, Lorna Braley, to her daughter Stacey Hooper, along with Stacey’s daughters, Alexis Pullon and Jadyn Hooper.
“Our family is truly devoted to Wetzel’s, and our extensive experience working with the brand led us to the decision that we needed to invest in its journey,” says Stacey. “There’s nothing quite like reminiscing about Wetzel’s together, and we’re thrilled to drive around North Orange County, spreading the brand’s positive vibes wherever we go. We know our local community will respond well to Wetzel’s delicious pretzels and we can’t wait to embark on this exciting family business affair together.”
Starting at the Ontario Mills location, Alexis and Jadyn worked their way up from employees to managers, gaining valuable experience while tapping into their unique professional backgrounds across various fields. As their passion for the brand solidified, they joined a multi-generational venture into franchise ownership with Lorna, a seasoned business owner, and Stacey, a skilled court reporter. Together, the three generations of Wetzel’s fanatics are bringing their favorite Wetzel’s snacks to the community, spreading good vibes for both the product and the company at its core.
Wetzel’s is putting its foot on the gas for a massive expansion of its food truck concept and is more equipped than ever to satisfy consumers’ hunger for pretzels. With a rapidly growing mobile fleet and more in the pipeline, the brand is making its sweet and salty snacks more accessible than ever. Multi-unit operators are adding multiple trucks to their territory due to this high demand and feasibility, further driving the brand’s new unit growth.
“It’s operators like the Hooper family that keep our business thriving and why we continue to ‘bring pretzels to the people,” adds Jon Fischer, Head of Development at Wetzel’s. “We’re always looking for passionate individuals or groups that want to grow alongside the brand and bring Wetzel’s into untapped regions. We’re confident they will make a positive mark in our home state, bringing the SoCal feel to more people in California.”
As the brand approaches its 30th anniversary in the business, it is strategically poised for another successful year with a concentrated effort on achieving the milestone of opening its 400th store. Wetzel’s passion for ‘bringing pretzels to the people’ extends beyond traditional mall settings, encompassing airports, stadiums, food trucks, convenience stores, and major retailers like Walmart and Macy’s, opening various revenue streams for franchisees. Known for its innovative take on soft pretzels, Wetzel’s menu blends time-tested classics with fresh offerings. Guests in Orange County can indulge in iconic favorites, like the Wetzel’s Original Pretzel and refreshing lemonade, or satisfy their sweet tooth cravings with perfectly baked Cin-A-Bitz.
Wetzel’s has been sharing its signature handheld happiness ever since its founding in Pasadena, California in 1994. The brand continues to attract a cult-like following in communities across North America through its cool, SoCal feel and crave-worthy snacks that cultivate special moments of pure pretzel bliss between friends, family and colleagues.
