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News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
People line up from 4am for huge US food chain opening in Sydney
People were lining up since 4am in order to get their hands on an item from a cult US chain that has finally come to Sydney. Auntie Anne's, the world's largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise, made its debut Down Under with the opening of its first store at Westfield Parramatta on Saturday. Some Australians lined up from 4am — more than five hours before the store opened its doors — in order to get their hands on the pretzels. Lines filled the shopping centre's top floor as people waited hours in order to get their hands on Original, Cinnamon, Sweet Almond and Pepperoni flavoured pretzels. One social media user claimed that the line wrapped all the way around to the train station outside. Yu-Jin Lee, who along with his business partner Johann Wong, has worked with Auntie Anne's to bring it to Australia, told 'We are amazed at the turnout that's for sure. We had one customer who lined up from 4am and waited until 9.30am when we officially opened the store. 'We anticipated a good response, but the excitement people have shown for Auntie Anne's has certainly exceeded all our expectations! 'Our crew have been working around the clock baking up a storm and I think we will see the line up continue for quite some time.' More than 1000 pretzels were sold on opening day. Mr Lee said bringing Auntie Anne's to Australia has been a dream years in the making, saying one of his fondest childhood memories is going to the mall to grab an Auntie Anne's pretzel. 'Think Baker's Delight. It's still the pretzel flavour but as soft as a Baker's Delight roll,' he said. 'It's because you order it and you get it fresh, rather than it sitting there from the morning.' He also rated the cinnamon sticks and the almond sticks with cream cheese, saying the latter was probably his favourite. 'You also can't go wrong with the hot dog bites. There's too much to choose from,' he said. The popular chain, which sells an array of sweet and savoury pretzels, first opened its doors in Pennsylvania back in 1988 and now has more than 2000 locations around the world – with five new ones planned across Australia in the next 12 months. Aussie customers can expect the full Auntie Anne's experience, Mr Lee said, including signature pretzel varieties such as original, cinnamon sugar, sweet almond, and pepperoni cheese, along with sweet and savoury nugget bites with the dough mixed, hand-rolled and baked on site. It's just the latest American chain to open in Australia in recent months with Wendy's, Wingstop and In-N-Out either having pop-ups or opening its doors permanently. But as Auntie Anne's joins a long line of American fast-food restaurants opening in Australia, are Aussies going to become sick of the once hard-to-get food? Melbourne-based food blogger Nectro. 'It's really exciting to see US chains opening in Australia,' he told ahead of the store's opening. 'Many of us have heard the hype, or if they're lucky tried the items on holiday, but to be able to eat these well-known brand's on our own doorstep means it's now available to everyone. 'These brands are often names we've grown up watching in the movies, so it's a thrill to have the option to buy something we've never tried. The big test is really whether or not they stand the test of time.'
News.com.au
15-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Another cult-US restaurant chain announces it's opening in Australia
There was once a time when Aussies would have to travel at least 10 hours to eat their favourite American food – but not anymore. In the past few years, a string of classic US food chains have popped up on our shores, including Wingstop, Five Guys and Wendys. Now Auntie Anne's, the world's largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise, is making its debut Down Under with the opening of its first store Westfield Parramatta on July 26. 'This has been a dream in the making for years,' Yu-Jin Lee, who along with his business partner Johann Wong has worked with Auntie Anne's to bring it to Australia, told 'We have always loved pretzels and one of our fondest childhood memories is going to the mall to grab an Auntie Anne's pretzel. 'It's a cherished experience for us and we hope to recreate and share that joy in Australia now too.' The popular chain, which sells an array of sweet and savory pretzels, first opened its doors in Pennsylvania back in 1988 and now has more than 2000 locations around the world – with five new ones planned across Australia in the next 12 months. Aussie customers can expect the full Auntie Anne's experience, Yu-Jin Lee said, including signature pretzel varieties such as original, cinnamon sugar, sweet almond, and pepperoni cheese, along with sweet and savoury nugget bites with the dough mixed, hand-rolled and baked on site. 'Our pretzels are baked continuously throughout the day, so no matter when you stop by, you're getting them hot, fresh, and at their absolute best. 'There's a huge appetite for the brand already – we've seen the buzz online and the excitement is real.' Indeed, several eagle-eyed pretzel fans have spotted the new Sydney store before it has even opened, taking to social media to share their joy. 'OMG, I manifested this,' one wrote. 'Legitimately have been waiting years for this, let's go,' another shared. As one declared: 'If they open in Melbourne I'll go broke, no joke.' But as Auntie Anne's joins a long line of American fast-food restaurants opening in Australia, are Aussies going to become sick of the once hard-to-get food? Melbourne food blogger @nectoriouspapi doesn't think so. 'It's really exciting to see US chains opening in Australia,' he told 'Many of us have heard the hype, or if they're lucky tried the items on holiday, but to be able to eat these well-known brand's on our own doorstep means it's now available to everyone. 'These brand's are often names we've grown up watching in the movies, so it's a thrill to have the option to buy something we've never tried. The big test is really whether or not they stand the test of time.' The foodie, who hasn't yet tried any Auntie Anne's menu items, said his biggest gripe with the cult US chains opening in Australia is that 'Sydney always gets it first'. This was a sentiment echoed on social media, where many Aussies called for a store in their local area. 'Can we get some of these places in Melbourne?' one sighed, as another added: 'This was my fave in America, but I don't live anywhere near Sydney. Boo.'
