Auntie Anne’s relocates headquarters

Auntie Anne’s is in the process of moving its headquarters after 32 years in its current location.

The takeaway franchise, which sells American-style soft pretzels across the world, has decided to relocate its headquarters from Lancaster in Pennsylvania to Atlanta, Georgia. The move will be a significant change for the business, as it’s been based in Pennsylvania for over three decades.

The franchise started life as a stall in a Downingtown farmers’ market back in 1988. Anne Beiler’s comforting pretzels soon became popular among the locals, and she was able to develop a business through the franchise model. Although it was originally based in Gap, and moved to Lancaster later on in 2008, Auntie Anne’s has always called Pennsylvania home.

According to the franchise’s President, Heather Neary, the business’s corporate associates will continue working remotely in Lancaster, while the new headquarters is set up in Atlanta. The Covid-19 pandemic has proven that many of the franchise’s teams can work efficiently without having to come into the office.

The move to Georgia is planned for the first quarter of 2021, but according to Lancaster Online, Auntie Anne’s has already vacated its current office. It plans to sell its furniture and equipment through an online auction ending at 2pm on 16th December before making a fresh start in Atlanta.

Pretzel-lovers in Pennsylvania needn’t worry about losing their favourite food chain, as the franchise will keep all its existing stores in operation. In fact, Pennsylvania has 133 Auntie Anne’s stores; the highest number of any state in the US, and 10 percent of the brand’s total American presence.

Auntie Anne’s is currently looking for new investors to set up their own stores in the UK. Find out about its business opportunity on its profile page, here at Point Franchise.