KEARNEY — The signature smell of fresh pretzels wafting through the Hilltop Mall isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The long-time staple eatery in the mall, Pretzelmaker, has reopened in a new location with new owners.
Mark Frandle, franchise owner based in Mason City, Iowa, along with his local business partner in Kearney, Keith Sandborg, purchased the franchise after the prior owner chose to retire.
Frandle said Pretzelmaker has been in the mall for several decades and they wanted to ensure the business would remain.
With the changes occurring at the Hilltop Mall, Pretzelmaker has changed locations and is now just inside the main doors, with the Old Navy sign. Visitors are told to let the smell guide them.
The location will still offer their signature items, like their Pretzel Bites but will also now sell flatbreads and cold and hot coffee. Frandle said they are now the only food establishment in the mall and wanted to offer more variety.
It was also noted that this is the first Pretzelmaker location that is showing off their new design and logo rebrand that was undertaken this past August. Along with the new look and logo the menus are featured on digital TVs. Frandle said this change helped bring everything up to date.
Frandle said the location reopened in its new location on Dec. 1 and will host a grand opening in conjunction with the mall in early 2024.
The point Frandle wanted to emphasize was that the location provides a fresh quality product, that is their guarantee.
“Since 1991, Pretzelmaker has been rolling out fresh-baked, handcrafted pretzels and fresh-squeezed, all-natural lemonade around the globe. Known for inventing Pretzel Bites, the chain is committed to the freshest products and ingredients,” the business stated.
