When the popular CBS show Survivor launched its 26th season on February 13th, Sherri Biethman gave Wetzel’s Pretzels fans and Idaho residents a reason to cheer. Biethman, a Boise resident and owner of two local Wetzel’s Pretzels, is a competitor on this season’s Survivor: Caramoan, “Fans vs. Favorites.”
Biethman, who is part of the “Gota” tribe, and whose favorite Wetzel’s item is the Pepperoni Twist, opened her first Wetzel’s Pretzels at the Boise Town Center in 2004, opening a second location in the mall in 2011. Along with the two Wetzel’s she currently operates, Biethman has an additional location in development.
“Leveraging my management and team-building skills acquired from owning and operating two Wetzel’s Pretzels was an attribute during the competition,” says Biethman. “I’m looking forward to putting on a strong showing and making both Wetzel’s fans and Idaho residents proud.”
Like Biethman, Wetzel’s Pretzels can relate to the “Survivor” theme. Launched in 1994, the company was the ninth player in the soft pretzel category when it launched, and has since thrived. Today, Wetzel’s is the number two player in the category, achieving growth through operational excellence, and by introducing products such as Wetzel Bitz and the Wetzel Dog, a 100-percent beef hot dog wrapped in a fresh, soft-baked pretzel.
Both Biethman’s Wetzel’s Pretzels are located at the Boise Town Square Mall on the second level, the first by JC Penny and the second just outside of Macy’s. The Boise Town Square Mall is located at 350 North Milwaukee Street.