Ben's Soft Pretzels Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Ben's Soft Pretzels is a pretzel franchise that offers handcrafted pretzels made from scratch using high-quality ingredients, providing a delicious and satisfying snack option for pretzel enthusiasts.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

Franchise fee

$30,000

Investment

$90,000 - $345,000

Revenue (AUV)

$195,000

n.a.

Ben's Soft Pretzels has been a beloved name in gourmet soft pretzels since its inception in 2008. The first bakery launched at Concord Mall in Elkhart, Indiana, introducing the public to their Amish-inspired pretzels. Renowned for their hand-rolled, jumbo-sized pretzels, Ben's Soft Pretzels quickly established a reputation for quality and traditional craftsmanship.

In 2013, Ben's Soft Pretzels began franchising, marking a pivotal moment that enabled the brand to expand beyond its original store. This strategic move allowed more people across the United States to enjoy their distinctive pretzels, driving the brand's swift nationwide growth.

Ben's Soft Pretzels, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, continues to honor its origins while pushing innovation in the pretzel industry. The headquarters oversees the franchise's operations, ensuring that every location maintains the high standards and authenticity that define Ben's Soft Pretzels.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Ben's Soft Pretzels franchise is $90,000 - $345,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Traditional or Captive Venue Store Amount	Mobile Store Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Travel and Living Expenses During Training	$1,000 to $10,000	$1,000 to $10,000
Office Equipment and Supplies	$500 to $1,000	$500 to $1,000
Business Insurance	$1,000 to $4,000	$1,000 to $4,000
Professional Fees	$5,000 to $10,000	$5,000 to $10,000
Initial Inventory	$2,150 to $6,500	$1,650 to $4,000
Live Large Initial Inventory	$350 to $1,000	$350 to $1,000
Security Deposit	$1,600 to $12,000	N/A
First 3 Month’s Rent	$3,600 to $18,000	N/A
Leasehold Improvements	$25,000 to $125,000	N/A
Equipment, including Starter Kit, Display Cabinets and Countertops and POS	$27,500 to $65,000 (with $4,500 to $11,500 potentially payable to our affiliate)	$12,000 to $65,000 (with $1,000 to $11,500 potentially payable to our affiliate)
Signage	$1,000 to $10,000	$1,000 to $5,000
Furniture and Fixtures	$2,000 to $5,000	N/A
Business Licenses and Permits	$500 to $2,000	$500 to $2,000
Grand Opening Advertising	$1,000 to $5,000	N/A
Additional Funds for First 3 Months	$20,000 to $40,000	$10,000 to $20,000
Vehicle	N/A	$27,000 to $94,500
TOTAL	$122,200 to $344,500	$90,000 to $246,500

Type of Expenditure	Traditional or Captive Venue Store Amount	Mobile Store Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Travel and Living Expenses During Training	$1,000 to $10,000	$1,000 to $10,000
Office Equipment and Supplies	$500 to $1,000	$500 to $1,000
Business Insurance	$1,000 to $4,000	$1,000 to $4,000
Professional Fees	$5,000 to $10,000	$5,000 to $10,000
Initial Inventory	$2,150 to $6,500	$1,650 to $4,000
Live Large Initial Inventory	$350 to $1,000	$350 to $1,000
Security Deposit	$1,600 to $12,000	N/A
First 3 Month’s Rent	$3,600 to $18,000	N/A
Leasehold Improvements	$25,000 to $125,000	N/A
Equipment, including Starter Kit, Display Cabinets and Countertops and POS	$27,500 to $65,000 (with $4,500 to $11,500 potentially payable to our affiliate)	$12,000 to $65,000 (with $1,000 to $11,500 potentially payable to our affiliate)
Signage	$1,000 to $10,000	$1,000 to $5,000
Furniture and Fixtures	$2,000 to $5,000	N/A
Business Licenses and Permits	$500 to $2,000	$500 to $2,000
Grand Opening Advertising	$1,000 to $5,000	N/A
Additional Funds for First 3 Months	$20,000 to $40,000	$10,000 to $20,000
Vehicle	N/A	$27,000 to $94,500
TOTAL	$122,200 to $344,500	$90,000 to $246,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Ben's Soft Pretzels's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Ben's Soft Pretzels had 81 total units in 2024, of which 75 were franchised-owned and 6 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Ben's Soft Pretzels

key competitors in the

Baked Goods

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

New

6.00%

$90,000

$345,000

$195,000

n.a.

Cinnaholic

$200K - $500K

New

57%

5.00%

$241,000

$527,000

$351,000

n.a.

Randy's Donuts

$200K - $500K

New

140%

5.00%

$241,000

$608,000

$1,026,000

n.a.

Cookie Co.

$200K - $500K

New

n.a.

7.00%

$233,000

$553,000

$877,000

n.a.

Orange County Bagel

$200K - $500K

New

n.a.

5.50%

$204,000

$387,000

n.a.

Hurts Donut Company

Over $500K

New

-17%

7.00%

$504,000

$825,000

$1,101,000

n.a.

Crumbl Cookies

Over $500K

1058

New

53%

8.00%

$816,000

$1,443,000

$1,303,000

18.6%

Training

Ben's Soft Pretzels offers a comprehensive training program to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to operate their stores efficiently. The training includes:

Pre-Opening Training

Prior to opening, franchisees and up to two additional team members participate in an initial training program. This program combines classroom instruction and hands-on training, covering essential aspects of running a Ben's Soft Pretzels store. Key areas of focus include operational procedures, product preparation, customer service, financial management, and adherence to brand standards.

On-Site Opening Assistance

Beyond pre-opening training, Ben's Soft Pretzels provides on-site support during the store's opening phase. This support includes assistance with store setup, staff training, and the implementation of operational procedures learned during initial training. Additional on-site training days can be requested or may be required by the franchisor, with associated costs for each extra day.

Ongoing and Additional Training

Franchisees, along with their managers and key employees, may need to attend ongoing training sessions at the franchisor's designated training facility or other specified locations. These sessions aim to provide continuous education and updates on store operations, new products, and any changes to the operational manual. Additionally, technical assistance and support are available via phone, ensuring franchisees have access to help whenever needed.

Territory Protection

Ben's Soft Pretzels does not guarantee exclusive territories for its franchisees. This means franchisees may encounter competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels and competitive brands managed by Ben's Soft Pretzels.

The franchise agreement grants the right to operate a Ben's Soft Pretzels Store at a specified authorized location but does not extend exclusive territorial rights beyond this location. For Mobile Stores, the authorized location refers to where the truck or trailer is stationed when not in use.

Additionally, franchisees are assigned a non-exclusive geographic area of operation, determined by Ben's Soft Pretzels based on factors such as population density and the number of households. This strategy allows Ben's Soft Pretzels to maintain brand flexibility and operational control while providing franchisees with a designated area to conduct their business.