The Snack You Didn't Know You Needed Dot's Pretzels. Joseph N. Le. And then theyd taste them and theyd go, Omigod.. When I made it for family and friends, Id get requests to make it for special occasions., When a relative asked for bags to hand out to clients during the 2011 Christmas season, the response was overwhelming: Her phone rang off the hook, asking where they could buy more of these pretzels, said Dot. The recipients loved them, and clamored for more: People were calling her and saying, Where in the heck did you get these? Henke recalled. With the news Wednesday that corporate giant Hersey finalized its acquisition of Dot's Pretzels and its manufacturing partner for $1.2 billion with a "b" the door began to close on a. Dot's Pretzels does not have any vegan varieties. When did dots pretzels start? Heres how Dots cracked the big time. It was just so awesome how consumers started spreading the word.. Thats what were aiming for., This is a BETA experience. 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About. Dot's Homestyle Pretzels Southwest Seasoned Pretzel Twists, 16 oz. I created my pretzels to share with those people closest to me and have built the business with the idea of sharing them with everyone, founder Dorothy Dot Henke said in a news release on the acquisition. But when I came back home after being away, I learned a lot about cooking from my mother. Seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and spiritual fulfillment, pretzels were also commonly distributed to the poor, as a way of providing them with both spiritual and literal sustenance. seasoned pretzel snack sticks (packaging may vary) 4. 4,568 Followers. Snapshot; Why Join Us; 15. Theyve since arrived at several local grocery stores, including Lunds & Byerlys in mid-2017 and, this past spring, Target stores in the Upper Midwest. Dot, as Randy is sometimes called, who helps run the pretzel business along with one of the couples sons.). Dots then arrived at retailers in Minnesota and beyond, often in serendipitous ways. Add pretzels. It was a conversation piece that just made us think, 'Is this something?'". People would take a sample and think, What the heck, these are just stupid pretzels, she said. The company and Pretzels. A nephew in Alexandria, Minn., helped her get the pretzels into a convenience store there; an enthusiastic Ace Hardware rep in North Dakota spread Dots through the companys national network. And then wed meet again as soon as I had enough product., To clarify: Henke isnt in the business of pretzel-making, but pretzel-seasoning. In the Dot's universe, the honey mustard . Today, Pennsylvania remains the American pretzel-making capital, as a full 80 percent of U.S.-made pretzels come from the Keystone State. 1588828073 Number . Utah-based vlogger CompletelyKarin posted a glowing YouTube review of Dots, waxing perhaps less than poetically: It has this delicious, like, buttery, Parmesan kind of garlicky flavor that just envelops the whole thing and then when you eat it, it kind of ends with this delicious spice.. Staff. Dot's Homestyle Pretzels has got to be the breakout snack food success story of 2020, growing from a tiny Mom-and-Pop operation to salty juggernaut that's now available in an ever-expanding. Here are some places in metro Phoenix where you can find a bag of Dot's Pretzels: Ace Hardware: Most Ace Hardware stores likely sell them, but since stores are independently owned, it's best to call ahead and check. Rachel Hutton We have trouble keeping it on the shelves, he said. Litwin sat down with Dorothy Henke, better known to the world as "Dot" and founder of Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, to discuss her journey to founding the North Dakota-based snack food . But plenty of fans are happy to pay and share their fervor on social media. Rachel Hutton is a general assignment reporter in features for the Star Tribune. How Dot's Pretzels began in Arizona Dorothy and Randy settled in Goodyear for their winter home. The Catholic Church played a leading role in the early history of the pretzel. An appearance at the 2012 Pride of Dakota trade show pushed the Mom-and-Pop toward the big time, with pretzel skeptics won over instantly after trying a sample. Business | "Their reactions, from little kids to older people, everybody seemed to really, really enjoy (the pretzels).". Its whatever your taste buds are, she said. "It took me awhile to get across the state of North Dakota," she says. Facebook parent Meta cuts 11,000 jobs, 13% of workforce Kathy Keena defeats Matt Little for Dakota County attorney. FAQ. I let the marketing team try a flavor I was playing with and they said it was good but not unique. Blane's did have them but I found them at Amazon - a 32 bag of Honey Mustard, a 32 oz. German immigrants certainly brought pretzels with them when they began settling in Pennsylvania around 1710. ADVERTISEMENT Dot's Homestyle Pretzels Cheese Curls 10.5 oz (1 bag) 2 days. Dot's Homestyle Pretzels are a special family snack created many years ago by Dot herself in her home kitchen. Company reviews . Early on, theyd send out samples and snag orders that way. It certainly has embedded its twisted roots in Germany. It's a snack you didn't know you needed, but once you take a bite, it's hard to stop. Save with. Reviews from Dot's Pretzels employees about Dot's Pretzels culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. Dot's Pretzels was founded by Dot Henke in North Dakota more than a. In 1861, Julius Sturgis founded one of the first commercial pretzel bakeries in the town of Lititz in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Dots employees coat the pretzels in oil and a seasoning blend, bake, cool and repackage them, Henke said. Dot's Pretzels. Add. After opening her first pretzel plant in her home state, she opened a second plant in Goodyear in 2015. Dot's Pretzels is the. Dots Pretzels is the fastest-growing U.S. pretzel brand among brands with more than $10 million in annual U.S. retail sales, according to Hershey. Henke speaks a Fargo vernacular, peppering conversations with golly, ya know and dang it, as she explains Dots origins. . There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, she said. They sent sample boxes to gas stations in every North Dakota city with more than 1,000 people, Dorothy said. She was always about adding a little bit of this and that. Reviews--Jobs. Founded Date 2012. Born in Wahpeton and living in Velva, North Dakota (population 1,000) Dot started messing with pretzels in Arizona, at her snow home away from home 7 years ago. You start working on a farm at age 7, and you never stop. Until the 1930s, pretzels were still manufactured by hand. By Start of main content. Despite having a plant in Goodyear, Dot's Pretzels can be found only in select stores in the Valley. The Henke family settled on the name "Dot" even though no one had ever called Dorothy that, because "Dorothy's Pretzels" sounded like something for old people, she said. When she found the perfect blend, she started giving them away to friends and family members. Fans have described themselves as "obsessed" with the crunchy pretzel twists, seasoned with a secret blend of butter, spices and other ingredients. 2. Dots enthusiasts have made videos showing toddlers dropping the TV remote for pretzels, and camo-clad American troops feeding them to camels. You dont think about things like that when youre starting out, she said. Eventually, hard pretzels would come to be arguably even more popular than their soft counterparts. it's a husband and wife team. She has heard people describe the taste of the pretzels in different ways, and it surprises her what the taste buds bring out in different people. Back when Henke used her cellphone as the business primary number, Dots lovers used to leave enamored, late night voice mails: I did get a marriage proposal a couple of times, she said. bag of original seasoned for $39.99. Her timing couldn't have been. Store in a cool dry place. As recently as two years ago, Dots pretzels were only available in the Twin Cities at an eclectic smattering of retail outlets: Minneapolis Nicollet Ace Hardware and the gift shops at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park and the American Swedish Institute. Asked by: Dr. Elyse Cruickshank. Dot's Homestyle Pretzels are beloved for their unique, buttery seasonings. Then, distributors started calling them. 172 4.5 out of 5 Stars. Share your craze with #RaiseYourDots. The company said Dots represented 55% of growth in the pretzel category over the past year.Related Articles In 2009 and nearing retirement, Dorothy and her husband, Randy Henke, began spending their winters in Arizona. Expert Answers: Dot's Pretzels does not have any vegan varieties. We started to see the possibilities.. Its amazing what people come up with. HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dot's Pretzels LLC, the . Since its founding in 2012, Dot's Pretzels has experienced significant growth. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Central Phoenix: 1940 W. Indian School Road. Add a Review. Pour the pretzels into a large bowl and cover with the melted butter & oil. It has manufacturing locations in North Dakota, Arizona and Kansas and is a proud member of the Pride of Dakota. Or buy a couple at Aldi.) We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. She thought they were pretty good, though a little hot for her taste. Dot's Pretzels. , Star Tribune Duluth-based utility planning large expansion of its renewable energy component. Operating Status Active. MINOT, N.D. Much like the pretzel mix that made her famous, Dorothy "Dot" Henke displayed a blend of homespun charm, irresistible flavor and even a dash of zest during a Facebook Live . Back then, the business was small enough that Henke drove carloads of pretzels to her distributor. Honey Mustard Dot's. Honey mustard-flavored foods can be found in just about every grocery aisle: Chips, BBQ sauce, and salad dressing are just a few. Reach the reporter at Priscilla.Totiya@azcentral.com or 602-444-8092. Employers / Post Job. Nov 10, 2021, 08:30 ET. The synergistic savory flavor is hard to describe. 11. . Randy had a cousin who lived in the Valley, and his cousin's wife worked in sales and advertising for magazines. Her timing couldnt have been better. Dorothy Dot Henke, who lives near Velva, N.D., a small town outside Minot, launched her seasoned pretzel business as a two-sheet-pan, home kitchen operation. "It's been overwhelming at times because I never thought it would go this . Employment Opportunities at St . Bake for 30 minutes, tossing the pretzels with a spatula every 10 minutes. When the couple returned to home base in Velva, North Dakota, they began to explore ways to ramp up production, eventually using a local grocery stores commercial kitchen during off-hours. bag of Southwest Seasoned and a 32 oz. The pretzels, proudly marketed as a small-town recipe with big time flavor, were a hit, Henke told attendees of a 1 Million Cups small-business event in Fargo, N.D., in 2019. Henke and her husband, Randy, started out attending Pride of Dakota shows and other trade shows. Dot's Pretzels is a snack food manufacturer that produces and distributes seasoned pretzels throughout North America. We had to get big enough to get on their radar. People used to see me walking into the store and say here comes the pretzel lady, she said with an easy laugh that sounded just a bit like Frances McDormands Marge Gunderson character in the classic film Fargo. VELVA, N.D. The Hershey Co. announced Wednesday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Dots Homestyle Pretzels and Pretzels Inc. for $1.2 billion, according to MarketWatch.com, The Wall Street Journal and a Hersheys news release. Dots recently introduced a new Southwest-style flavor and more flavors are in the works, but the bar has been set high. $6.94. ranch seasoning packet 1 teaspoon garlic powder Dot's Homestyle Pretzels founder Dorothy Henke has grown her Mom-and-Pop company to an operation [+] that employs more than 400 people in three states. Published: Nov. 10, 2021 at 6:35 PM PST. Even the pretzel podcasters admitted defeat: If you try to explain it, it loses something; its like what makes a joke funny, one said. I never dreamt of owning a business.". Dots founder credits glowing word-of-mouth in helping to grow the brand from the snack you could once only find at some Cenex stations around North Dakota to a growing distribution network around much of the country. Preheat the oven to 250F. Fry's Food Stores: Most stores in Arizona carry Dot's Pretzels, including the downtown location, confirmed a Fry's spokesperson. Parish Information. In the early days, that meant she would hit up multiple Big Lots and Menards on the days they received their shipments of her favorite butter twists to restock her base ingredient. current price $6.94. Phone Number: (701) 566-8520. One rumor has it that the doughy knots came over on the Mayflower, and were used by the Pilgrims for trade with the Native Americans they met in the New World. One winter, his cousin's wife asked Dorothy if she could make seasoned pretzels as homemade Christmas gifts for clients. Dots Homestyle Pretzels look like the typical russet-hued twists passed around while watching a game. As the brand expands, it has very likely attracted the attention of snack food giant Frito-Lay, which has an estimated value of $16.8 billion. Once only available in the Midwest, Dot's Pretzels, including Honey Mustard, are now available nationally. On today's episode of the Food & Beverage Podcast, host Daniel Litwin got his hand caught in the cookie jaror more accurately a bag of Dot's Pretzels. Wed have people say they were going to pass because they didnt really like pretzels, she said. Fans are encouraged to post pics on Instagram, letting their followers know where they can #findyourfix of Dots Pretzels. 2.9 out of 5 stars. Dot Henke. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. By the 17th century, the interlocking loops of the pretzel had come to symbolize undying love as well. $19.45. 2.9 out of 5 stars. 97 Following. she comes in to do the merchandising and he just comes in about every two or three days to fill things back up. Melt the butter & coconut oil. 2. In 2012, gas stations around Minot picked up her zesty snack just as hordes of hungry oil workers descended. "No way I thought in a million years that wed be doing what were doing today. Dot's pretzels started commercially in 2012 and ever since have landed their way into stores all over the Midwest. And while her popular pretzels have earned a fervent following, particularly in the the upper Midwest, many don't realize how the business got its humble start in Arizona. One key factor in growing the company from a handful of employees to more than 400 with three production facilities in three states was developing a relationship with the supplier of the pretzels. Randy had a cousin who lived in the Valley, and his cousin's wife worked in sales and. Mix well. Reviews; 78. Dorothy Henke knows people go wild for Dot's Homestyle Pretzels. You may opt-out by. By 2015, they opened a plant in Goodyear, Arizona, and in 2017 opened a facility in Lenexa, Kansas, because it was a centralized location for distribution. When the hosts of Milwaukee Public Radios The Pretzel Podcast (of course theres a pretzel podcast) secured an interview with Henke, one gushed, I dont know if theres a bigger pretzel celebrity!. Subscribe to azcentral.com today to support local journalism. 2.9. Although refined palates may balk at Dots faux-butter flavor, the biggest complaint against the pretzels is their price, which, typically at $5.99 for a 1-pound bag, is slightly higher than most competitors. Their seasoning is barely visible, but unmistakable: beginning with a whiff of synthetic butter, blooming into a garlicky umami with a slight tang, and finishing with a mild afterburn. Preheat oven to 200F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. She didn't expect one request tochange their plans, or to leadher and Randy to buildtheir own snack company. One winter, his cousin's wife asked Dorothy if she could make seasoned pretzels as homemade Christmas gifts for clients. That company has since expanded its operation to meet Dots growing demand. The Kansas City Star implored readers to jump on the Dakota pretzel mania that is sweeping the northern states and attempted to reverse-engineer Dots recipe. Synod 2021-2023. Shake well. The Arizona Republic confirmed the following Ace Hardware stores are selling Dot's Pretzels: Albertsons: 8035 N. 19th Ave. in Phoenix. Sign in. A coffee shop to help youth is percolating in St. Paul Pretzel legend has it that in 1614 in Switzerland, royal couples used a pretzel in their wedding ceremonies (similar to how a wishbone might be used today) to seal the bond of matrimony, and that this custom may have been the origin of the phrase tying the knot. In Germanythe country and people most associated with the pretzel throughout history17th-century children wore pretzel necklaces on New Years to symbolize good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Steve Sorensen, who oversees center-store items for Lunds & Byerlys, said Dots has quickly become the grocers No. Thats when we thought we really do have something here. But in 1935, the Reading Pretzel Machinery Company introduced the first automated pretzel maker, which enabled bakers to put out some 245 pretzels per minute, compared with the 40 per minute an individual worker could make by hand. Mission Statement. "It's been overwhelming at times because I never thought it . Over the last 12 months, Dot's Pretzels was ranked as the third largest pretzel brand nationally in terms of sales volume. According to Nielsen data, Dot's ranked sixth on the list of highest-selling pretzels in 2019 (up there with pantry standards, like Rold Gold and Snyder's of Hanover). It involves a monk, and is not the only time monks are involved in these twisted roots! Start of main content. I was very conservative.". VELVA, N.D. - Dot Henke, the founder of Dot's Pretzels, offered reaction Wednesday to the news that Hershey would acquire the pretzel company, as part . Theres a big, buttery aroma, a little bit of roasty aroma, and yeastiness, he noted. This item: Dot's Homestyle Pretzels - 2 LB (Pack of 3) $10810 ($3.97/100 g) Dot's Homestyle Pretzels 18 Ounce Family Size Variety Flavor Pack Seasoned Pretzel Twists (3 Pack) $6979 Total price: $177.89 Add both to Cart One of these items ships sooner than the other. She and her husband, Randy, would hit all the Big Lots in the area, looking for those pretzels, buying every bag they could get their hands on. Snack Food. After settling on a recipe she liked, she began making the pretzels for family parties. Company Overview. Dots Homestyle Pretzels Expiration Date Recipes Steps: 1. Were not really on the East Coast, they dont know us yet, she said, adding that COVID-19 crisis slowed down market expansion. Business | Business | Dorothy admitted Arizona has been a tougher market to break into, but she's pleased with how her business has grown. "I like the independent people," she said. It was just done out of my kitchen. Are dots pretzels vegan? (What can I say, Im not a spicy gal.) Having recently retired from a career in financial services to help her husband, Randy, run their farm, Henke had some time on her hands and started experimenting. Happiness rating is 49 out of 100 49. Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. After the positive feedback, she and her husband took the business back to North Dakota, where, in the beginning, she operated out of a grocery store bakery. Back in North Dakota, she participated in a trade show sponsored by the states Pride of Dakota marketing group, where her giveaways led to instant sales. Follow. MORE THINGS TO DO: For restaurant reviews, travel tips, concert picks and more, subscribe to azcentral.com. The pretzel company was started in Velva in 2012 by founder Dorothy "Dot" Henke. Business | Write a review . That would make Henke the proverbial David, although her folksy grit more closely resembles that of Grand Forks Herald columnist Marilyn Hagerty, author of the earnest Olive Garden review gone viral. Total Wine & More: An employee at the SanTan Village location said all the Total Wine & More stores in Arizona carry the snack. "The small town I grew up in has influenced the way Ive expanded. 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Yet it wasnt long ago that consumers had to hit up remote truck stops and hardware stores in the search for the North Dakota-based companys pretzels.