Auntie Anne’s

Auntie Anne’s began in 1988 as a single pretzel stand and has grown into a global snack retailer with more than 2,100 locations across 49 U.S. states and 26 countries as of September 2025. The brand is known for its fresh-baked pretzels, made in full view of customers, which has helped it stand out in the quick-service food industry.

Today, Auntie Anne’s operates in a variety of settings, including mall food courts, airports, universities, military bases, travel plazas, and select retail locations. This diverse presence allows the company to reach customers in both traditional and non-traditional venues. Since being acquired by GoTo Foods, Auntie Anne’s has been undergoing a significant transformation focused on modernizing its brand and expanding its footprint.

In 2025, the company completed a comprehensive brand refresh that introduced a new visual identity and modular store formats. These changes are designed to lower construction costs and speed up the opening of new locations, especially in high-traffic street locations and non-traditional venues. Over 150 existing stores have been remodeled with a contemporary design that supports a mobile-first customer experience. Leadership additions, such as the appointment of Chief Brand Officer Nathan Baldwin in 2025, reflect the company’s commitment to aggressive growth.

Auntie Anne’s is actively pursuing expansion through franchise development, offering incentives for agreements signed by December 15, 2025. The brand’s strategy emphasizes flexibility in store formats and locations, making it a versatile tenant option for landlords and developers. Its proven operating model and broad geographic reach position it well to enter underserved markets and new venue types, including airports and travel plazas.

Overall, Auntie Anne’s combines a well-established presence with a clear focus on modernization and growth, leveraging its strong brand recognition and multi-format approach to expand within the evolving foodservice landscape.