April 09, 2026 // Franchising.com // PORTER RANCH, CA. – Wetzel’s Pretzels (Wetzel’s), the iconic brand known for its fresh, hand-rolled pretzels, is opening its latest location in the state of California, located in the Porter Ranch Walmart. Wetzel’s continues its partnership with the world’s largest retailer to grow in untapped markets across the country. The new Porter Ranch bakery is situated inside the Walmart at 19821 Rinaldi St, as it will serve the suburbs of Los Angeles.
The new store signifies Wetzel’s Pretzels continued expansion into high-traffic retail environments, including prime Walmart locations. Guests can expect even more flavor to the public with its craveable snacks and refreshing drinks, a perfect pairing for any shopping trip. First-time Wetzel’s operator, Chris Izaguirre, will be spearheading the opening. Izaguirre has been with the brand for six years, having started at Wetzel’s Pretzels as a team member. Over time, he worked his way up to become a general manager at the South Coast Plaza location in Costa Mesa, California. Now, he is applying his expertise to his first store location as he looks to expand with Wetzel’s.
“As I step into my next career venture with the brand, having the continued opportunity to grow with Wetzel’s Pretzels is extremely special,” said Chris Izaguirre. “Being able to open my first location is a great accomplishment, and I look forward to serving the Porter Ranch community with delicious products and delivering a quality experience.”
The Porter Ranch Walmart location showcases the flexibility of the Wetzel’s concept, offering a buildout design that is adaptable to the retailer’s footprint. As the brand continues to expand in non-traditional spaces, its store-within-a-store model proves ideal for integration into Walmart locations, with further growth planned nationwide.
“We are thrilled to grow our brand’s presence in California and have Chris alongside as we bring out handheld happiness to Porter Ranch,” said Jon Fischer, Head of Development at Wetzel’s Pretzels. “Our ongoing expansion into Walmart locations highlights the flexibility of our concept, allowing us to reach even more communities nationwide. We’re confident the Porter Ranch bakery will be a hit with shoppers looking for a fresh, fast, and fun snack experience.”
For additional information about Wetzel’s franchise opportunity, visit https://www.wetzelsfranchising.com.
Providing a fun, fresh take on soft pretzels, Wetzel’s Pretzels was founded in 1994 by Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel in Pasadena, California. Drawing fans to its mouth-watering, portable snacks that are hand-rolled, baked fresh and served hot from the oven, word quickly spread about the delicious West Coast brand. Today, Wetzel’s Pretzels has grown to more than 450 locations continuing to cultivate fanatics around the world with its SoCal vibes and “gram-worthy” snacks. As the nation’s leading pretzel chain, the franchise has received numerous accolades, most recently being named on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 alongside Franchise Business Review's 2026 Top Franchises, 2026 Top Franchises for Women and Top Culture100 lists.
SOURCE Wetzel’s Pretzels
Armed with a vision and a tasty recipe for soft pretzel perfection, Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel opened the first Wetzel's Pretzels bakery in Redondo Beach, Calif., in 1994.