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Cult US pretzel chain opening in Australia at the end of July
Popular US pretzel chain Auntie Anne's will open its first Australian franchise later this month in Western Sydney.
The first Australian Auntie Anne's outlet will officially open its doors on July 26 inside Westfield Parramatta.
Speaking to business partners Yu-Jin Lee and Johann Wong said bringing the chain to Australia was a dream in the making dating back to childhood.
'This has been a dream in the making for years,' Mr Lee said.
'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.'
Mr Lee said customers can expect the full Auntie Anne's experience, with pretzel varieties including 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,' he said.
'There's a huge appetite for the brand already – we've seen the buzz online and the excitement is real.'
The announcement sparked a chorus of Auntie Anne's fans to take to social media.
'If they open in Melbourne, I'll go broke, no joke," one fan wrote.
Another said 'OMG, I manifested this.'
Melbourne food blogger @nectoriouspapi told that the wave of American fast food brands entering Australia showed no signs of slowing down, but added they need to open in other cities, not just Sydney.
'It's really exciting to see US chains opening in Australia,' he said.
'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 brands 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.'
Auntie Anne's started in Pennsylvania back in 1988 and now boasts more than 2000 stores around the world.
There are reportedly plans to expand across Australia with the opening of five more stores if the Western Sydney store is profitable.
