Anne Beiler (Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Founder) Is A ‘Secret Millionaire’

She called herself a country girl.  Growing up Amish is about as country as it gets.

Anne Beiler said she never lived in a city, but in August 2011 she spent five days in one of the poorest sections of Baltimore.

“Five days is not long, but it is long enough to get a feel for city life,” said Beiler, who will be featured on Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC’s “Secret Millionaire.”

In a unique twist, Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, lived on Washington Street in East Baltimore —one of the most unsafe areas in the city — and worked with people and organizations in need of her help.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/878087_Anne-Beiler-is-a–Secret-Millionaire-.html#ixzz2akO1mPV6

Another Lancaster Institution Sold This Week – WTH!

Image via Wikipedia

First Auntie Anne’s, now this!!

It was announced today in the Harrisburg Patriot that Dutch Wonderland has been sold!  Hershey Entertainment sold Dutch Wonderland to Palace Entertainment for an undisclosed price. (sounds familiar)  Hershey Entertainment was approached by Palace Entertainment and has been negotiating the sale since May.  Hershey Entertainment said the sale will allow them to fully concentrate on Hershey attractions.

Palace Entertainment is the largest operator of water parks and family entertainment centers in the U.S.  They also own the very popular Kennywood Amusement Park in suburban Pittsburgh along with 37 other venues in 11 states..

There are no immediate plans for change at the park (hopefully not famous last words!)

Rut-Ro Rorge! Auntie Anne’s Has Been Sold!

Image via Wikipedia

Wildly popular Lancaster-based Auntie Anne’s Pretzels has been sold to huge food conglomerate FOCUS Brands of Atlanta, GA.  Auntie Anne’s, while no longer being locally owned, will stay based in Lancaster.  The sale was completed Monday for an undisclosed price.  Auntie Anne’s is the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel chain with 1,100 stores internationally.  Auntie Anne’s is expected to produce $375 million in sales this year.  That’s a LOT of pretzels!

There are 274 employees based in Lancaster at the headquarters and at the production/warehouse facility.  Hopefully they won’t end up like Mrs. Smith’s!

FOCUS Brands owns Carvel, Cinnabon, Seattle’s Best Coffee (some international rights), Schlotzsky’s and Moe’s Southwest Grill in addition to Auntie Anne’s.  FOCUS Brands is owned by even larger Roark Capital, also based in Atlanta.