Created almost 1,400 years ago by an Italian monk, pretzels were originally used as a reward when children learned to say their prayers. The twisted dough was formed to resemble a child’s arms folded in prayer. Today, Auntie Anne’s bakes pretzel perfect treats for the benefit of children across the country.
Since 1999, Auntie Anne’s has helped raise more than $3 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network affiliated hospitals across the country. Like Children’s Miracle Network, Auntie Anne's focuses on giving back to their local communities and are proud to be a community oriented business. Throughout the year, Auntie Anne’s stores raise funds through their annual Miracle Balloon campaign, coin canister collections and individual special events. National Pretzel Day, April 26, is one of Auntie Anne’s largest single-day event fundraiser where participating stores donate a percentage of sales to Children’s Miracle Network. Auntie Anne’s also raises money through corporate payroll deductions and an annual golf tournament.
“We have nearly 780 stores across the United States, and people appreciate the fact that their donation helps kids in their local area. Since this organization helps over 17 million kids, numerous franchisees, crewmembers, guests and corporate employees have been personally touched by the efforts of Children’s Miracle Network,” said Samuel R. Beiler, Auntie Anne’s President and CEO.
More About Auntie Anne’s Auntie Anne’s was born in 1988 at a farmer's market in Downingtown, Pennsylvania where Anne Beiler and her husband, Jonas, sold a variety of snacks, including hand-rolled, soft pretzels. The husband and wife team experienced a series of events that included ordering the wrong ingredients for the pretzels and being disappointed with the bland taste, that led them to develop what we know today as the pretzel perfect recipe.
From these beginnings, the company has grown to support more than 980 locations worldwide in enclosed malls, transportation hubs, and entertainment-shopping complexes. Auntie Anne’s stores hand-roll and bake pretzels to a golden brown perfection in full view of customers, offering a “Perfect Guarantee” that guarantees customers, “You’ll Love Your Pretzel Or We’ll Replace It With One That You Do.”
• 2009 will mark the 10th anniversary of Auntie Anne’s partnership with Children’s Miracle Network.