Wetzel’s Pretzels opens South Carolina location in Summerville

SUMMERVILLE S.C (WCIV) — Wetzel’s Pretzels is set to open its first brick-and-mortar location in South Carolina, expanding the California-based pretzel chain’s presence through a partnership with Walmart.

The new bakery will be located inside the Walmart at 9880 Dorchester Road in Summerville and marks the brand’s first store in the state.

The Summerville location is operated by first-time Wetzel’s franchise owners Mathieu and Hannah Rajaonah, who previously owned a franchise business in Arizona before moving to the Charleston area in 2025. The couple said they were introduced to the brand while living in Arizona and wanted to bring the concept to South Carolina.

“When looking for our next business venture, Wetzel’s Pretzels offered the balance of operational simplicity and growth potential we were looking for,” Mathieu Rajaonah said in a statement.

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The Rajaonahs plan to continue expanding the brand locally, with a second Wetzel’s Pretzels location expected to open in 2027.

The Walmart location is an intentional move, as company officials have been vocal on the store-within-a-store business model, allowing customers to pair their shopping trips with cravable snacks and refreshing drinks.

“We’re confident the Summerville bakery will be a hit with shoppers looking for a fresh, fast, and fun snack experience,” said Jon Fischer, head of development at Wetzel’s Pretzels. “We’re thrilled to open the first brick-and-mortar Wetzel’s in South Carolina.”

Wetzel’s Pretzels, founded in 1994, continues to expand nationally through franchise locations, with additional growth planned in more Walmart stores and high-traffic retail environments.