Overall costs for Auntie Anne's Pretzels run anywhere from $155,350 to $437,500. See how the costs break down and what funding options might be right for your new venture into the franchise foray.
Estimated initial costs
Our cost estimates are accurate as of 2021 from Franchise Direct and include opening fees and expenses only. The location you choose for your Auntie Anne's Pretzels franchise may result in higher or lower fees.
Franchise fees
Auntie Anne's Pretzels franchise fees total around $30,000, which beats out the $37,000 average for the 200 largest franchises nationwide.
| Initial franchise fee |
$30,000 to $30,000 |
| Estimated total |
$30,000 to $30,000 |
Equipment fees
Equipment fees total $67,125 for Auntie Anne's Pretzels. This is less than the $180,023 average for the top 200 franchises.
| Equipment package |
$28,000 to $47,000 |
| Millwork |
$5,000 to $24,000 |
| Furniture |
$0 to $2,500 |
| Menu board, graphics and interior signage |
$250 to $12,000 |
| Exterior signage |
$1,500 to $8,500 |
| Smallwares |
$1,000 to $4,500 |
| Estimated total |
$35,750 to $98,500 |
Real estate fees
Real estate will set you back $115,500 for Auntie Anne's Pretzels, thought it's less than the average of $788,376 for the top 200 franchises.
| Construction and build-out costs |
$40,000 to $150,000 |
| Architect and engineer |
$2,000 to $12,000 |
| Rent |
$2,000 to $10,000 |
| Security deposits |
$0 to $15,000 |
| Estimated total |
$44,000 to $187,000 |
Training fees
Auntie Anne's Pretzels initial training costs total $8,650, which comes in under the nationwide average of $9,788.
| Computer system and software training |
$4,300 to $13,000 |
| Estimated total |
$4,300 to $13,000 |
Inventory costs
Initial inventory for Auntie Anne's Pretzels shakes out to $3,650. This is less than the nationwide average of $53,119.
| Opening inventory |
$3,300 to $4,000 |
| Estimated total |
$3,300 to $4,000 |
Marketing costs
Advertisement and marketing costs total up to $3,000 for Auntie Anne's Pretzels, beating out the nationwide average of $9,938.
| Grand opening marketing |
$1,000 to $5,000 |
| Estimated total |
$1,000 to $5,000 |
Licenses and permits costs
Auntie Anne's Pretzels initial licenses and permits will set you back $3,000. This comes out to less than $18,770 — the overall nationwide average.
| Permits |
$2,000 to $4,000 |
| Estimated total |
$2,000 to $4,000 |
Insurance costs
Initial insurance costs for Auntie Anne's Pretzels run $6,000. This means you'll be paying less than the overall nationwide average of $6,311.
| Insurance |
$2,000 to $10,000 |
| Estimated total |
$2,000 to $10,000 |
Administrative fees
Auntie Anne's Pretzels administrative fees total up to $7,500 — which comes in over the overall nationwide average of $6,761.
| Legal and accounting fees |
$5,000 to $10,000 |
| Audit |
Cost of audit. |
| Estimated total |
$5,000 to $10,000 |
Other expenses
Miscellaneous expenses for Auntie Anne's Pretzels total $52,000 — less than the nationwide average of $69,970.
| Miscellaneous opening costs and office supplies |
$13,000 to $25,000 |
| Three months' additional funds |
$15,000 to $51,000 |
| Estimated total |
$28,000 to $76,000 |
All costs were found using the 200 largest franchises nationwide using Franchise Direct's list of more than 300 franchises, and are accurate as of 2021.
How to finance
Since the estimated total for Auntie Anne's Pretzels is on the more costly side, we recommend following these steps to get fully financed:
- Go to the Auntie Anne's Pretzels franchising website and review its financial requirements, including cash-on-hand requirements.
- Reach out to Auntie Anne's Pretzels about in-house financing for franchisees.
- If in-house financing isn't available, look for online loans, bank loans and SBA loans to help meet the $296,425 estimated opening costs.
- Compare lenders based on amounts, interest rates and what types of personal and business credit history they accept.
- Once you settle on a lender, gather all required documents, including account statements and assets.
- Apply for financing online or in person as required by the lender.
What types of financing is available?
You have several options when it comes to financing a Auntie Anne's Pretzels — even if the cost is on the heavier side. What assets you have available will largely determine how much you need to borrow, and which option suits you best.
- Online loan. A number of online business lenders offer amounts up to $1 million, with some extending up to $5 million.
- Bank loan. Your personal credit will typically need to at least be good — 670 or higher — when it comes to getting a bank loan large enough to cover a significant portion of Auntie Anne's Pretzels opening costs.
- SBA loan. While your personal credit score doesn't need to be as good to qualify for an SBA loan, they usually cost more than standard term loans from banks or online lenders.
Also check if Auntie Anne's Pretzels franchise financing is available. You may be able to get some of the costs covered for less than you would with other traditional funding options.
Compare small business lenders
You may not need financing to cover the estimated $155,350. But if you need funds for other business ventures, select the loan amount, your time in business and revenue and your personal credit score to compare a selection of lenders.
How Auntie Anne's Pretzels stacks up
Compare how Auntie Anne's Pretzels holds up against two similarly sized franchises.
| Average Franchise fees |
$52,500 |
$30,000 |
NA |
| Average Equipment fees |
NA |
$67,125 |
NA |
| Average Real estate fees |
$2,250 |
$115,500 |
NA |
| Average Training fees |
$3,250 |
$8,650 |
NA |
| Average Inventory fees |
$4,250 |
$3,650 |
NA |
| Average Marketing fees |
NA |
$3,000 |
NA |
| Average Licenses and permits fees |
NA |
$3,000 |
NA |
| Average Insurance fees |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
NA |
| Average Admin fees |
NA |
$7,500 |
NA |
| Average Personnel fees |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| Average Other fees |
$15,000 |
$52,000 |
NA |
Bottom line
Auntie Anne's Pretzels franchise costs run a total of $296,425. Before you decide to become a franchisee, compare the total costs against industry averages. And to learn more about financing
read our guide to franchise financing.
