In Short
Inspired by the playground taunts in his youth, founder Rick Wetzel decided pretzels were in his future. After opening the first branch in Redondo Beach, Calif., in 1994, his chain has expanded domestically and internationally to malls, stadiums, movie theaters and more. Along with the lightly buttered and salted original flavor, pretzels now come in exotic tastes, including three cheese, garlic, almond crunch and cinnamon sugar.