Soft pretzel chain opening location

Soft pretzel chain opening location

The Ben's Soft Pretzels chain sells "jumbo" soft pretzels, sticks, bites, hot dogs and pockets. Photo via fb.com

A soft pretzel chain is extending its reach in West Michigan.

Elkhart, Indiana-based Ben’s Soft Pretzels will host its grand opening on Friday in the Jenison Meijer, at 550 Baldwin St.

One free pretzel will be offered to customers from 1-7 p.m. on Friday.

Pretzels are baked daily on site, and the location offers "jumbo" pretzels, Buggy Bites, Pretzel Stix, Pretzel Dogs and Pretzel Pockets.

Ben’s also offers 11 dipping sauces.

Franchisee

The location is owned by Tom Merry, who ran concessions for six years at the University of Notre Dame and noticed the long lines at Ben’s Soft Pretzel mobile concessions.

Merry expects to open Ben’s mobile units at Michigan universities and a minor league baseball stadium.

“Opening our first Ben’s Soft Pretzels location is extremely exciting for us,” Merry said.

The chain

Ben’s was started in 2008 by a local business person, Brian Krider, a pretzel fan, Scott Jones, and an Amish baker, Ben Miller.

The company now has 82 locations in eight states.

In Michigan, Ben’s Soft Pretzels has locations in Kalamazoo, Alpena, Coldwater, Flat Rock, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Jonesville, Sturgis and Williamsburg.