Except as provided above, or as approved by us in writing, you may not develop, maintain or authorize any website, domain name, URL address, email address, other online presence or other electronic medium that mentions your Store, links to any Franchise System Website or displays any of the Marks, or engages in any promotional or similar activities, whether directly or indirectly, through or on the internet, or any other similar proprietary or common carrier electronic delivery system. If we approve the use of any such websites, other online presences or electronic mediums, including social networking websites (such as LinkedIn®, Twitter®, Instagram®, Facebook®, or YouTube®) in the operation of your Store, or the posting of messages relating to your Store on other websites, you will do so only in accordance with our guidelines. We reserve the right to require our approval of any message you compose for a social networking website or commentary for any other website before you post such message or commentary.
From the filings
Ben's Soft Pretzels
Quick service restaurantAt Ben's Soft Pretzels, software purchasing is controlled at the franchisor level through designated suppliers and standards set in the Franchise Disclosure Document. The FDD names Incentivio in use and requires franchisees to obtain POS and payment systems from approved suppliers. With 88 total units—81 franchised and 7 company-owned—the addressable market is small but concentrated.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Ordinary royalty terms
Complete royalty terms unconfirmed
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing.
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.
BEN’S SOFT PRETZELS 2026 FDD 5 DMS_US.376910408.4 Type of Fee Amount Due Date Remarks Service Inc. is an independent distributor who buys pretzel mix from our affiliate and sells it to you. See Item 8. Sublease/Sublicense The amount specified Payable monthly. A security deposit in Rent in the respective lease, an amount that varies plus $200 for a Lease is due at the time of Administration Fee signing the Sublease. Such amounts do not apply to a Mobile Store. Except for the $200 Lease Administration Fee, the rent is passed through to the landlord. Lease Renewal Fee Reimburse our costs As incurred. Such amounts do not not to exceed $3,500. apply to a Mobile Store. Regional Advisory None currently. As incurred. The Regional Council Assessments Advisory Council would determine its own assessments. Point of Sale Currently $229 per As incurred. The POS/Technology (POS)/Technology month to cover the fees can increase based Fees cost of the approved on POS/Technology POS, with $99 per changes. As of the month paid to us for date of this Disclosure software POS cost, Document, we do not and $130 per month anticipate this fee to paid to Incentivio increase by more than (current supplier) for 30% annually. online ordering, Additional fees also loyalty and rewards may apply by the engagement. amount of credit card transactions. See Item 11. Evaluation of Currently $500 per As incurred. Applies only if you Suppliers day, plus reasonable want us to evaluate expenses unapproved items or suppliers for the Store. As of the date of this Disclosure Document, we do not anticipate this fee to increase by more than 30% annually.
Except as provided above, or as approved by us in writing, you may not develop, maintain or authorize any website, domain name, URL address, email address, other online presence or other electronic medium that mentions your Store, links to any Franchise System Website or displays any of the Marks, or engages in any promotional or similar activities, whether directly or indirectly, through or on the internet, or any other similar proprietary or common carrier electronic delivery system. If we approve the use of any such websites, other online presences or electronic mediums, including social networking websites (such as LinkedIn®, Twitter®, Instagram®, Facebook®, or YouTube®) in the operation of your Store, or the posting of messages relating to your Store on other websites, you will do so only in accordance with our guidelines. We reserve the right to require our approval of any message you compose for a social networking website or commentary for any other website before you post such message or commentary.
Except as provided above, or as approved by us in writing, you may not develop, maintain or authorize any website, domain name, URL address, email address, other online presence or other electronic medium that mentions your Store, links to any Franchise System Website or displays any of the Marks, or engages in any promotional or similar activities, whether directly or indirectly, through or on the internet, or any other similar proprietary or common carrier electronic delivery system. If we approve the use of any such websites, other online presences or electronic mediums, including social networking websites (such as LinkedIn®, Twitter®, Instagram®, Facebook®, or YouTube®) in the operation of your Store, or the posting of messages relating to your Store on other websites, you will do so only in accordance with our guidelines. We reserve the right to require our approval of any message you compose for a social networking website or commentary for any other website before you post such message or commentary.
Except as provided above, or as approved by us in writing, you may not develop, maintain or authorize any website, domain name, URL address, email address, other online presence or other electronic medium that mentions your Store, links to any Franchise System Website or displays any of the Marks, or engages in any promotional or similar activities, whether directly or indirectly, through or on the internet, or any other similar proprietary or common carrier electronic delivery system. If we approve the use of any such websites, other online presences or electronic mediums, including social networking websites (such as LinkedIn®, Twitter®, Instagram®, Facebook®, or YouTube®) in the operation of your Store, or the posting of messages relating to your Store on other websites, you will do so only in accordance with our guidelines. We reserve the right to require our approval of any message you compose for a social networking website or commentary for any other website before you post such message or commentary.
Except as provided above, or as approved by us in writing, you may not develop, maintain or authorize any website, domain name, URL address, email address, other online presence or other electronic medium that mentions your Store, links to any Franchise System Website or displays any of the Marks, or engages in any promotional or similar activities, whether directly or indirectly, through or on the internet, or any other similar proprietary or common carrier electronic delivery system. If we approve the use of any such websites, other online presences or electronic mediums, including social networking websites (such as LinkedIn®, Twitter®, Instagram®, Facebook®, or YouTube®) in the operation of your Store, or the posting of messages relating to your Store on other websites, you will do so only in accordance with our guidelines. We reserve the right to require our approval of any message you compose for a social networking website or commentary for any other website before you post such message or commentary.
The vendor opportunity at Ben's Soft Pretzels
Ben's Soft Pretzels operates 88 total units—81 franchised and 7 company-owned—with franchised outlets growing 3.846% year over year. The initial franchise term is 5 years, with two additional 5-year renewal terms available. The FDD makes a financial performance representation in Item 19, but no cohort average is stated here.
For software vendors, the opportunity is concentrated: a small system with centralized procurement and technology standards. Every franchisee must obtain POS hardware, software, and payments processing from approved suppliers, and the FDD names Incentivio as in use. That makes the franchisor the gatekeeper for any new software entering the system.
Who controls software purchasing
Item 2 of the FDD names Scott A. Jones as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian B. Krider as Director, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These are the executives who set technology standards and approve suppliers. Franchisees do not choose their own POS or payments stack—they must buy from approved suppliers designated by the franchisor.
The FDD states: "You must obtain a POS system that complies with our standards and requirements, including all future updates, supplements and modifications." That requirement extends to hardware, software, and payments processing. Franchisees may be required to pay monthly fees of approximately $229.00 to the franchisor and its approved supplier.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required
The FDD names Incentivio in Item 6 as in use. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube are named in Item 11. The filing requires franchisees to obtain a POS system and payments processing system from approved suppliers, and to maintain computer systems for books, records, and reporting in the franchisor's formats.
The POS system requirement is broad: it includes all hardware and software used to record and analyze sales, customer count, average check amount, customer data, labor, inventory, product usage, employee information, and tax information. Franchisees may be required to upgrade or update hardware or software during the term.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 establishes a designated-supplier model. Franchisees must purchase loyalty cards, gift cards, starter kits, some flavor toppings, and some equipment and signage solely from the franchisor's affiliate, Live Large Distribution Inc. Food, pretzel mix, cups, lids, pretzel sleeves, imported German salt, and take-home kits must come from Gordon Food Service, Inc. Franchisees must also participate in the national Pepsi contract.
For products without a designated single source, franchisees may request approval of alternative suppliers by submitting a written request with supporting documentation. The franchisor may revise the Approved Suppliers List and Approved Supplies List at any time.
Renewal terms under Item 17 allow two additional 5-year terms if the franchisee has substantially complied with the agreement. Renewal requires written notice, signing a new franchise agreement and release, refurbishing or remodeling the premises, and replacing vehicles and equipment to meet then-current standards. The new agreement may contain materially different terms, including different fees and territorial rights.
How to read the Ben's Soft Pretzels FDD
The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document is embedded below. Item 2 identifies the officers, Item 8 sets supplier restrictions, Item 11 covers technology and training requirements, Item 17 governs renewal and termination, Item 19 contains the financial performance representation, and Item 20 lists outlets. For software vendors, Items 8 and 11 are the most important: they define who must buy what, from whom, and under what standards. Talk to FranCloud for a ranked target list built from this filing and others like it.
Ordinary royalty terms
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.
Questions vendors ask
Ben's Soft Pretzels, answered from the filing
Read the filing itself
Read the original document for the filing figures and their terms, page by page. Buy the original PDF to download, search, and annotate it.
View only A one-time purchase: the original filing, yours to keep.
FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
Request an email alert when a newer filing for Ben's Soft Pretzels is available.
Related Quick service restaurant brands
Primary franchise filings · updated October 2026. Read the original filing for definitions, conditions, and qualifications.