Start a Auntie Anne’s franchise

🥨 Twist Your Way to Success with an Auntie Anne’s Franchise

From Farmers’ Market to Global Favourite

Founded in 1988 by Anne Beiler at a Pennsylvania farmer’s market, Auntie Anne’s began with a simple idea: freshly baked pretzels and lemonade made with love. That humble beginning has evolved into a global franchise success, with stores now delighting customers across 25+ countries.

Every pretzel is rolled by hand, baked on site, and served within 30 minutes—guaranteeing freshness and quality in every bite. From Cinnamon and Salted to Pretzel Dogs and Cheese Nuggets, Auntie Anne’s brings variety, nostalgia, and craveable snacks to retail locations around the world.

A Growing Presence in the UK

Auntie Anne’s has been franchising in the UK since 2008 and now operates 34 retail bakery stores in key locations such as London, Glasgow, and Belfast. One store is company-owned, while the rest are independently operated by franchisees—several of whom manage multiple sites.

With plans for 10 new store openings over the next 12 months, including six already scheduled for 2024, Auntie Anne’s is actively expanding. Their goal? To reach 90 new UK stores in the next decade.

Why Choose Auntie Anne’s?

• Global brand with proven success across 1,900+ stores
• Gross margins typically between 75–80%
• EBITDA returns of 10–20% on average
• Turnkey model with full site selection and setup assistance
• Backed by Focus Brands Inc, the global multi-brand franchisor behind seven food concepts

Whether you’re new to food retail or an experienced entrepreneur, Auntie Anne’s offers a fun, hands-on opportunity with robust margins and outstanding brand recognition.

Comprehensive Training and Ongoing Support

From your first enquiry to opening day and beyond, Auntie Anne’s supports you every step of the way.

• Initial business training – A three-day session led by head office experts covering operations, HR, marketing, and admin
• In-store hands-on training – Learn how to roll, twist, and bake pretzels like a pro in the brand’s dedicated training centre
• Opening support – Experienced staff will be on-site to help launch your store and support your team
• Ongoing operations support – Regular reviews, coaching, and mystery shopper visits to ensure quality and consistency
• Marketing – National campaigns plus local support to drive footfall and customer loyalty

Auntie Anne’s UK team has over 50 years of franchising experience, with ex-franchisees and food & beverage managers forming the core of its support staff.

The Role of a Franchisee

Auntie Anne’s is best suited to hands-on, owner-operators who enjoy retail and hospitality. Your day-to-day includes:

• Managing store operations and staff
• Ensuring fresh pretzel production throughout the day
• Customer service and maintaining brand standards
• Stock management and general admin duties

You’ll lead a small team of up to 4 full-time and 6 part-time staff, creating a friendly, energetic environment that keeps customers coming back.

No Experience? No Problem.

Most Auntie Anne’s franchisees come from non-catering or non-retail backgrounds. What matters most is:

• Strong people skills
• Attention to detail
• Commitment to following operational processes
• A passion for customer satisfaction

The brand can also help you understand P&L and business finance through external training.

Investment and Returns

While exact figures vary, Auntie Anne’s reports:

• 75–80% gross margin potential
• 10–20% EBITDA on average
• Example sales figures available after signing an NDA

This is a franchise that balances strong financial performance with day-to-day satisfaction—especially when you see the joy on customers’ faces as they enjoy a hot, handmade pretzel.

Next Steps

To find out more about the franchise opportunity, simply click to fill out the form to speak with a representative from the brand: