October 12, 2000

Wetzel's Pretzels ranked one of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S.

PASADENA, Calif. - Wetzel's Pretzels has been ranked the 235th fastest growing private company in the United States earning a spot on Inc. Magazine's prestigious Inc. 500 list. Wetzel's Pretzels made the list by achieving revenue growth in excess of 1,000% from 1995 to 1999. Equally impressive is the fact that only ten of the companies were from the retail sector and that Wetzel's Pretzels is the only mall based retailer on the list!

Rick Wetzel brought his childhood taunts of "Hey Wetzel, you pretzel" to life when he and his partner Bill Phelps tied the entrepreneurial knot to form "Wetzel's Pretzels" in November 1994. With its continual expansion, dynamic personality and fresh store design, Wetzel's Pretzels distinguishes itself from other pretzel operators and proves that its success is attributed to more than just a delicious, quality product. The Pasadena-based company was recently rated one of the Top 50 Food Franchises in the world (April 2000) and ranked in the top ten of the Nation's Top 10 New Franchises (Feb. 2000) by Entrepreneur Magazine. Wetzel's Pretzels has also been recognized as Best Snack in Pasadena Weekly's "Best of" Reader's Poll.

Wetzel's Pretzels currently operates more than 150 units in 23 states throughout the United States, plus international locations in Australia, Canada, Taiwan and Puerto Rico. Since Wetzel's Pretzels' inception, the company has literally bent the food industry out of shape and is looking forward to 'dipping' into an even greater share of the market with continued domestic and international development. Growing strong with six years of fresh, all-natural fun, the company has plans to open 75 additional stores over the next year to curb the snack cravings of pretzel lovers everywhere.

For further information regarding Wetzel's Pretzels please contact Farrah Voll of Morgan Marketing & Public Relations at (949) 261-2216, email farrah@morganmaketingpr.com or click on www.wetzels.com.