CEO and co-founder of Bensalem-based Philly Pretzel Factory Dan DiZio transformed a childhood venture into a national success story, reports Alicia Vitarelli for 6ABC.  

It began with 11-year-old DiZio’s innocent truancy. “I used to sneak out of school… and go sell pretzels all day on the corner,” he reminisces.  

His entrepreneurial journey started when his neighbor offered him leftover bakery pretzels to sell. DiZio’s first day on Roosevelt Boulevard yielded $100 from 1,000 pretzels.  

As DiZio’s schoolmates noticed his earnings, he began organizing them to sell pretzels too. This early business model paved the way for the establishment of Philly Pretzel Factory in 1998, co-founded with college roommate Len Lehman.  

Their first step was purchasing an old pretzel machine from Florida.  

Initially intended as a factory on Frankford Avenue, overwhelming demand turned their location into a hotspot.  

Today, Philly Pretzel Factory boasts 175 locations nationwide. The secret to their success lies in their unique recipe and traditional hand-twisting technique. 

Their signature shape, different from the Bavarian style, originated from a practical solution to an oven space problem, now a hallmark of their brand. 

DiZio’s love for the business and its role in spreading joy is evident. “I love everything about this business, and the happiness it provides,” he states. 

Learn more about the story behind Philly Pretzel Factory on 6ABC.  

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