Wetzel’s Pretzels’ newest fleet of food trucks in Northern Orange County, California represents more than just a business venture: it’s a family affair deeply rooted in a passion for pretzels and business. This multi-generational team, consisting of grandmother Lorna Braley, her daughter Stacey Hooper, and Stacey’s daughters Alexis Pullon and Jadyn Hooper, brings a wide range of experience and a shared commitment to delivering delicious snacks on wheels.
As one of the leading players in the pretzel snack segment, Wetzel’s is tapping into the growing demand for customizable franchise opportunities, attracting potential operators across the country.
With a remarkable two years of explosive growth under its belt, the brand boasts an average unit volume of $856,000 and has a robust pipeline of multi-unit operators embracing the addition of food trucks to its fleet. The program aligns with Wetzel’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, specifically through the Access to Equity program, which empowers women and minority entrepreneurs.
For the Braley-Hooper-Pullon family, entrepreneurship is a way of life passed down from generation to generation. Lorna’s successful ownership of a pizzeria in the past laid the foundation for her family’s newest venture. The lure of running a new restaurant together was too strong to resist after Alexis and Jadyn came to Stacey and Lorna with a ripe business opportunity.
Lorna says she was immediately interested in getting back into the foodservice industry, and Stacey jumped at the chance to have fun with her daughters after their family friend purchased a similar food truck and hit the road.
Reflecting on her family’s drive to be her own boss, Alexis reminisces: “I think entrepreneurship is passed down in our family. We all work very hard by nature,” says Alexis. “I always loved that we all wanted to have our own business… (Jadyn and I) thought the food truck would be the perfect thing for us to do together.”
The family’s bond with Wetzel’s Pretzels runs deep. Both Alexis and Jadyn began their journey in Wetzel during their teenage years as employees at the Ontario Mills physical location.
They worked their way up the ranks to become managers, gaining invaluable knowledge, forging lasting memories and building connections with the brand. Their firsthand experience, combined with Wetzel’s warm reception from the community, solidified their decision to continue the food truck.
“We knew (Wetzel’s) was the right choice for us because we love seeing how happy the pretzels make our community,” Alexis added. “We bring people happiness… We’ve never had a dull day with the brand, and we love the idea of being there for the community at their most beautiful events, like weddings and birthday parties.”
The benefits of Wetzel’s food trucks lie in their flexibility, allowing the family to balance their daily obligations with their ambitions. Lorna, a seasoned business owner, continues to support her family, while Alexis juggles her role as a teacher and Stacey continues her career as a court reporter. Still only 19, Jadyn is getting her business degree from California State University, San Bernardino.
“Balancing organization and planning is incredibly important to make this work,” says Stacey. “We all understand each other and what’s going on in our lives outside of the food truck, and the flexibility helps us work around that.”
Running a food truck has allowed the family to actively engage with their guests, attend local events and create meaningful connections with customers. The ability to adjust their schedule based on demand has played a huge role in their success, allowing them to follow the crowd and meet their customers’ needs on a whim.
“We go to an event and the next day people call us asking if we can go to another event, or when we’re coming back,” Stacey adds. “It feels good knowing that everyone loves the truck and they don’t mind waiting in line when we come to their place.”
The franchisees leverage their reach through traditional word of mouth and Instagram promotion. Alexis says they will often receive messages from their followers asking for locations and specific events.
“We regularly post where we are on Instagram and we find this is a great tool for capturing guests and being family friendly,” says Alexis. “It’s exciting to get the feeling that we are really wanted in an area.”
For Lorna, Stacey, Alexis and Jadyn, working together as a family has been both a challenge and a blessing. By learning to navigate business dynamics while strengthening their family bonds, they have learned patience, communication and balance. However, Alexis says it was never that hard to deal with, and if anything, it has brought them closer together.
“The hardest part is also the best for us, which is being together,” says Alexis. “Wetzel’s truck has brought us closer together in our relationships… I spend a lot of time with my mother, my sister and my grandmother in a work environment, and many people don’t get that kind of opportunity. ”
Their collective dedication has accelerated the family’s food truck business. As they celebrate their first anniversary in Northern Orange County, they’re already setting their sights on expansion. From college campuses to local swap meets, the family is eager to introduce more communities to the joy of Wetzel’s.
As Wetzel’s prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary, it continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of franchisees like the Braley-Hooper-Pullon family. With the opening of its 400th store, Wetzel’s is poised for continued growth, fueled by passionate entrepreneurs committed to serving their communities.
“We are grateful to Wetzels,” says Lorna. “We’re happy to be part of the brand… and as a business owner, it feels good to know that your hard work is paying off. It’s not just us who reap the benefits… It’s the community too.”
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