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15 Things to Know About Auntie Anne’s

Auntie Anne’s has been making delicious hand-rolled pretzels for over 30 years. What started as an effort to give back to the community turned into the largest soft-baked pretzel franchise in the world, and it’s only just the beginning.

Since 1988, Auntie Anne’s has been serving Pretzels, Pretzel Nuggets, and Pretzel Dogs in malls and airports across the country. They have since expanded internationally and continue to evolve as they look at new venues, adjust to dietary preferences, and join forces with other favorite snack-focused restaurants.

When you’re craving an Auntie Anne’s Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Pretzel or some Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets, all you have to do is visit the Pretzel Perks app to order delivery right to your door. You may also find Auntie Anne’s at your local Walmart or in your favorite grocery store’s baking or freezer sections.

If pretzels speak your snacking love language, here are 15 things to know about Auntie Anne’s!

1. Auntie Anne’s Is the Largest Soft Baked Pretzel Chain in America

Auntie Anne’s is a US-born restaurant chain known for its freshly baked soft pretzels.

You can order a pretzel to go from Auntie Anne’s restaurants or buy their frozen pretzels and pretzel kits at grocery stores to make them at home.

Auntie Anne’s pretzels have made mouths water for over three decades, but what is it that makes them so good?

There’s no doubt that the quality of Auntie Anne’s pretzels comes from every pretzel being made fresh when you order it.

Their soft pretzels come in eight different flavors, and there are also a variety of Pretzel Nuggets and Pretzel Dogs. Auntie Annie’s Soft Pretzel flavors include:

  • Original
  • Cinnamon Sugar
  • Sweet Almond
  • Sour Cream & Onion
  • Roasted Garlic & Parmesan
  • Pepperoni
  • Jalapeno
  • Raisin

Pretzel Nuggets are available as Original, Cinnamon Sugar, and Pepperoni. Pretzel Dog flavors include Original, Cheese, and Jalapeno Cheese, and they are also available as bite-sized Mini Pretzel Dogs.

Just before your Auntie Anne’s pretzel goes into the oven, it is brushed with hot water and baking soda solution.

While baking soda is commonly used in baking, Auntie Anne’s has learned that brushing it on the outside instead creates what is known as the signature crust on pretzels.

Another reason Auntie Anne’s Soft Baked Pretzels are so good is the glistening butter glaze that each pretzel gets brushed with after baking.

But don’t worry, you can also choose to enjoy a delicious vegan pretzel at Auntie Anne’s by simply requesting to leave the butter glaze off.

Auntie Anne’s homemade baking mix also provides recommendations to get you the best quality pretzel possible.

The recipe includes a reminder not to add baking soda to the dough mix but to instead cover the pretzels with a baking soda solution before baking.

It also suggests melting butter while the pretzels bake so it’s ready to brush on as soon as you pull them out of the oven.

2. Auntie Anne’s Menu Includes Pretzels, Drinks, and Dips

The Auntie Anne’s menu includes Soft Pretzels, Pretzel Nuggets, and Pretzel Dogs, as well as a selection of dips and drinks. Auntie Anne’s even has suggestions for the ideal combination to accompany each pretzel type. 

Auntie Anne’s pretzels can be ordered individually or as combo meals. Individual pretzels come with your favorite dips and can be combined with a drink.

For those who need to feed a hungry group, the Auntie Anne’s menu offers Pretzel Buckets and Snack Packs at affordable prices.

You can choose from multiple combinations based on how many people are eating and your favorite pretzel and dip combinations.

Nugget Buckets come with 5 servings each, making them an ideal snack for 5-10 people. Available Nugget Bucket varieties include Original, Cinnamon Sugar, Pepperoni, and Mini Pretzel Dog.

Snack packs allow you to enjoy multiple items off Auntie Anne’s menu.

The Classic Snack Pack costs $20 and is perfect for 2-4 people. It includes two 21 oz. cups of Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets, two Classic Soft Pretzels of your choice, and four dips.

The Pretzel Nugget Bucket Snack Pack costs $30 and is perfect for 4-6 people. It includes a bucket of Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets (approx. 100 pieces), six dips, and 1 gallon (approx. 6 cups of drink) of any flavor of Original Lemonade or Lemonade Mixer.

The Mini Dogs Bucket Snack Pack costs $35 and is perfect for 4-6 people. It includes a bucket of Mini Pretzel Dogs (50 pieces), six dips, and 1 gallon (approx. 6 cups of drink) of any Original Lemonade or Lemonade Mixer flavor.

Bite-Size Snack Pack costs $25 and is perfect for 2-4 people. It includes two 21 oz. cups of Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets, two 16 oz. cups of Mini Pretzel Dogs, and four dips.

Auntie Anne’s also offers catering for any occasion, and special combos are available during football season.

Auntie Anne’s fans know that the drink accompanying your pretzel can make the meal.

While Auntie Anne’s Original Lemonade is a crowd favorite, you can also get Lemonade Mixers and Frozen Lemonade. Lemonade Mixers come in Blue Raspberry, Mango, or Strawberry flavors.

In addition, they have Coca-Cola products and seasonal specials.

To round off each meal, Auntie Anne’s has seven different dips to choose from. Their dip flavors include:

  • Caramel Dip
  • Cheese Dip
  • Hot Salsa Cheese Dip
  • Light Cream Cheese Dip
  • Marinara Dip
  • Sweet Glaze Dip
  • Honey Mustard Dip

3. Auntie Anne’s Original Pretzel is the Classic that Started it All

Auntie Anne’s Original Pretzel is where the franchise began. In fact, the idea all started when founder Anne F. Beiler baked pretzels to sell at a local farmer’s market.

In an effort to help fund her husband’s dream of providing free family counseling services, “Auntie” Anne developed the perfect pretzel recipe and accidentally stumbled into beginning what would become the largest soft pretzel franchise in the country.

To this day, Auntie Anne’s Original Soft Pretzels are made with only five ingredients. However, it can then be topped with your favorite flavor to create the rest of the Classic Soft Pretzels on the menu.

Each Auntie Anne’s Original Soft Pretzel contains 340 calories without alterations. In addition, it has 8 grams of protein, 65 grams of carbs, and only 5 grams of fat.

Common allergens found in the Original Soft Pretzel include wheat, soy, and dairy, though dairy can be eliminated by excluding the butter glaze.

Auntie Anne’s suggests ordering the Original Soft Pretzel with cheese dip and lemonade.

4. Auntie Anne’s Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Pretzel Entices All of the Senses

The fresh-baked smell of Auntie Anne’s pretzel is already irresistible, but what happens when you add roasted garlic and parmesan cheese?

You get the Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Pretzel, a savory snack that entices your nose as much as your taste buds. Pair it with the Marinara Dip and a cold Coca-Cola for the ultimate lunchtime experience.

Each Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Pretzel contains 380 calories. It also has 9 grams of protein, 68 grams of carbs, and 8 grams of fat.

5. Auntie Anne’s is the Pretzel Place in Your Local Shopping Mall

Although it wasn’t initially intended for malls, that’s primarily where Auntie Anne’s restaurants opened after the chain was first founded over 30 years ago. Foot traffic proved to be a desirable aspect for business, and malls were a great place for it.

Similarly, they can frequently be found in airports, another ideal environment for foot traffic and snacking. 

Being in airports, malls, and shopping centers like the popular Tanger Outlets meant restaurants have always had to follow mall hours.

Currently, most Auntie Anne’s locations are open from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm. While some shopping centers don’t open until 11 am, others close as early as 7 pm.

As rent increases and malls across the country struggle, Auntie Anne’s has been looking to branch out.

So while you’ll continue to find your favorite pretzel place in department stores, the chain is also combining forces with other popular restaurants.

Since 2018, Auntie Anne’s has also been opening food trucks in urban areas, and the chain is planning to continue evolving and expanding.

6. Auntie Anne’s Frozen Pretzels Let You Get Your Pretzel Fix at Home

On the days that you’re craving an Auntie Anne’s pretzel but you don’t have time to make it to a physical location, you can rely on their frozen pretzels.

You can find Auntie Annie’s Classic Soft Frozen Pretzel as well as Pretzel Nuggets and Pretzel Dogs in the frozen section of the following grocery and department stores:

  • Stop & Shop
  • Giant
  • Martin’s
  • Price Chopper
  • Redner’s
  • Key Food
  • SuperValu
  • Winn Dixie
  • BI-LO
  • Lowes Foods
  • Jewel-Osco
  • Schnuck’s
  • Target
  • Albertson’s
  • Vons
  • HEB
  • Meijer

There are two ways to cook frozen Auntie Anne’s pretzels at home. Conventional ovens make pretzels taste fresh and crisp, while microwaves are a quick way to get your pretzel fix.

Toaster ovens are also a great way to heat small servings, and standard toasters can be used for Classic Pretzels.

Auntie Anne’s recommends heating the frozen butter packet that comes with each pretzel in the microwave for 30-40 seconds while your pretzel is cooking.

Once the pretzels are heated, you can spread or brush the butter onto the hot pretzels and sprinkle them with salt, if desired.

7. For Freshly Baked Auntie Anne’s, Look No Further Than Your Local Walmart

Although Walmart doesn’t carry Auntie Anne’s frozen pretzels, some Walmart locations host an Auntie Anne’s restaurant, making it convenient to get a delicious pretzel whenever the mood hits you.

And even if your local Walmart doesn’t have an Auntie Anne’s restaurant, many still carry pretzel baking kits such as the Auntie Anne’s Pretzels & More Baking Mix that let you make freshly baked pretzels at home.

Auntie Anne’s Walmart hours vary by location. Therefore, the best way to find the operating hours of your local restaurant is to call or visit the location.

8. If You Want to Make Auntie Anne’s Pretzels Vegan, Just Hold the Butter!

While Auntie Anne’s believes in the delicious finish of a butter glaze on a hot pretzel, the pretzel alone will still make your mouth water. Since the five base ingredients in Auntie Anne’s pretzels don’t include eggs or dairy, many pretzels can be made vegan by simply ordering them without butter.

Auntie Anne’s pretzels begin with the standard dough and are then topped with your favorite flavor.

The Garlic & Parmesan and the Sour Cream & Onion spreads both use milk, and the Pepperoni contains meat, but every other Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzel can be made vegan.

Auntie Anne’s pretzel flavors that are vegan without the butter glaze include:

  • Original
  • Cinnamon Sugar
  • Sweet Almond
  • Jalapeño
  • Raisin 

Pretzels may contain other common allergens, including wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, and soy. Specific allergen information can be found on their allergen menu.

For further nutritional information, you can contact Auntie Anne’s Guest Relations at 1-877-778-9588. You can also send an email to [email protected] or visit their website and click on “Contact Us” at the bottom of the page.

9. Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Perks Mobile App Gives Users Coupons, Pretzels & Discounts

Signing up for Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Perks mobile app is the best way to receive coupons and discounts. You can even shop and order your favorite pretzels from the comfort of your home.

Each purchase earns rewards points that can be used for more pretzels. Every $1 spent equals 10 rewards points, and you earn a free pretzel for every 250 points.

Downloading the Pretzel Perks app also gives you access to contactless mobile ordering, rewards, and special offers.

The first special offer that every Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Perks app user receives after making an initial purchase of at least $1 is a free pretzel reward.

You’ll also receive a “Birthday Perk” coupon for one free classic pretzel every year on your birthday. Coupons must be presented to a staff member at a restaurant within 14 days to redeem your freebie.

In addition to the specials and rewards earned through Pretzel Perks, you can also find printable coupons online at popular coupon websites.

10. Auntie Anne’s Heard Customer Requests and Now Offers Delivery

Their fans asked and Auntie Anne’s delivered, literally. In August 2020, Auntie Anne’s launched contactless mobile ordering through their Pretzel Perks app for delivery as well as in-store and curbside pickup.

So instead of waiting until your next trip to the mall, you can now enjoy your favorite hand-rolled pretzels any time you want.

Auntie Anne’s delivers through several popular delivery services, including DoorDash, GrubHub, Uber Eats, and Postmates.

Delivery can be ordered online directly through the Pretzel Perks app or any third-party delivery service. Fees may vary by location and delivery service.

11. Celebrate National Pretzel Day with a Free Auntie Anne’s Pretzel

In case you haven’t heard of this food holiday, National Pretzel Day is real, and Auntie Anne’s is where you’ll want to be to get a free pretzel.

In 1983, then-U.S. Rep. Robert Walker of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, decided to honor his favorite pastry, and pretzels have been celebrated each year since then.

Twenty years later, in 2003, then-Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell decided to make it official by declaring April 26 National Pretzel Day.

As the largest soft pretzel chain in the country, it is only fitting that Auntie Anne’s treats their customers with a free pretzel to celebrate. All you have to do is be a Pretzel Perks app user to receive an offer for a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel on National Pretzel Day.

They even give customers an extended window of several days to ensure that everyone has a chance to claim their reward.

12. Auntie Anne’s On The Go Combo Makes Snacking Easier Than Ever

You may not have thought that snacking could get much better than popping some Pretzel Nuggets, but Auntie Anne’s has found a way to make enjoying a Pretzel Nugget combo even easier.

Auntie Anne’s On The Go combo uses a Grub Tub, the latest invention to snack without worrying about spills or taking a break from your busy day.

The Grub Tub is a product of RP & Associates. It is a tray that securely sits on your cup, allowing you to hold both your food and drink in one hand easily.

This handy device has previously been popular, particularly at movie theaters and sporting events, and now Auntie Anne’s is giving it a trial run.

The Auntie Anne’s Grub Tub was specially designed to feature a sauce and pick holder.

The tub has ridges to fit multiple-sized cups and is large enough to hold an entire order of Pretzel Nuggets.

The Grub Tub costs only $9.99 with a medium drink and includes your favorite pretzel and dip combo. You can choose from:

  • Original Nuggets
  • Cinnamon Sugar Nuggets
  • Pepperoni Nuggets
  • Mini Pretzel Dogs

The Grub Tub was initially tested in Puerto Rico before launching in select US locations.

Trial results showed an increase of 50-80% in sales, and there’s a good chance that we will see more of these On The Go combos in the future.

13. Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon: A Competition Made in Heaven

Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon are both shopping mall staples, but their relationship goes much deeper than that. Although they may appear like natural competitors, they are also sister companies.

Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon are both owned by Focus Brands, an Atlanta-based company that owns eight franchise restaurants with over 6,300 locations.

As sister companies, the strategic placement of two favorite snack-time eateries in the same shopping centers helps stores maintain steady business and allows customers to retain their snacking options.

Although Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s have been viewed separately as the cinnamon roll place or the pretzel place in malls, wouldn’t it be nice to grab an Original Pretzel along with a Minibon or perhaps some Pretzel Nuggets to accompany a churro?

Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel and Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets offer that sweet pastry flavor, and collaboration will greatly increase the sweet and savory options available at either restaurant.

Combining forces also makes sense as both companies look to expand into different venues. In fact, Focus Brands recently signed a contract to open 10 co-branded Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon locations in New York City.

It’s a big step forward in the evolution of the two companies, and it is only the beginning of much greater plans to move out of malls and establish more co-branded restaurant locations.

Combined physical restaurant locations are a growing trend, but the partnership between Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon can also be found in their bake-at-home kits.

Auntie Anne’s pretzel kits allow you to bake hand-rolled pretzels at home. At the same time, their partnership with Cinnabon also brings you an easy-to-use baking kit that includes ingredients to make eight delicious Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.

14. Auntie Anne’s Partnership with Jamba Juice Will Change the Way You Order Pretzels

Nothing pairs better with a fresh-baked pretzel than some refreshing lemonade. Take this combo a step further, and you may have wondered – does Auntie Anne’s have smoothies?

Warm and chewy pairs well with light and refreshing, so it seems natural for Auntie Anne’s to partner with a smoothie company like Jamba Juice. However, the newest co-brand location brings customers more than just a new lunch combo.

In May 2021, Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Juice opened the first-ever drive-through location in Wylie, Texas.

They serve pretzels and smoothies with a menu that has strategically combined the two restaurants so that Jamba Juice’s menu complements Auntie Anne’s fan-favorite pretzels.

In fact, even the design of the menu boards integrates elements from both restaurants.

Over a quarter of all Jamba Juice locations are drive-thru, and the company is still looking to expand.

On the other hand, Auntie Anne’s is looking for new alternatives to its traditional mall setting, and drive-thru locations as well as co-brand locations, locations near colleges and universities, and mobile food trucks are all considerations.

Currently, the Wylie, TX location remains the only Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Juice co-brand drive-thru location.

However, other Jamba Juice franchisees are reported to be inquiring about adding Auntie Anne’s to their stores, so keep your eyes peeled for new developments in the near future.

15. Auntie Anne’s Caters to Kosher and Halal Diets

Auntie Anne’s was built on helping communities, and part of that means making their products available to everyone. One of the ways how the company does this is by making its frozen pretzel products kosher.

As they expanded into the international field, they have also begun catering to the dietary preferences of those communities.

Both Auntie Annes Frozen Pretzels and Nugget use kosher dairy, so you can still enjoy your favorite pretzels at home.

However, note that the frozen Pretzel Pocket Sandwiches and the Pretzel Dogs are not kosher, so it’s best to stick with the classics.

Another dietary change that Auntie Anne’s has been working on is making their international locations in Malaysia Halal certified.

Halal food follows Islamic dietary restrictions commonly practiced in predominantly Islamic countries like Malaysia.

Although it took several tries, all eight outlets in Singapore became halal-certified on December 1, 2021.

Conclusion

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels started at a farmer’s market and now caters to international markets. They have been a favorite treat while shopping at the mall and can now be grabbed through a drive-thru window on the way home.

By signing up for the Pretzel Perks app, you can earn points towards free pretzels while enjoying easy online ordering and contactless delivery. You can also find Auntie Anne’s pretzel kits in the baking aisle of your local supermarket or grab Auntie Anne’s frozen pretzels to make on the fly.

Some promising new changes are sure to come along as Auntie Anne’s combines forces with other favorite snack-food chains, and the future continues to look bright for delicious, fresh-baked pretzels!

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Last Updated: November 12, 2022

About the Author

Lana Kisner is a writer on the Shopfood.com team with more than 15 years of experience in the food service industry.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, listening to live music, and hiking with her dog.