Convenience Channel Got Twisted on National Pretzel Day

NATIONAL REPORT — The convenience channel joined the festivities as food retailers and manufacturers celebrated National Pretzel Day on Tuesday, April 26.

Framingham, Mass.-based Cumberland Farms Inc. offered customers a free fountain or frozen beverage with the purchase of any hot pretzel. The promotion ran from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. — primetime for snacking — at its new or remodeled stores, according to the Sun Sentinel. 

It should be no surprise that Snyder's of Hanover, a leading name in pretzels, also marked the day. The brand brought its new "Pretzels, Baby" campaign to the streets giving away bags of its Pretzel Pieces near baseball stadiums in eight cities around United States: Atlanta, New York, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

"Snyder's of Hanover pretzels are hearty, crunchy, bold, and baked — they clearly deserve their own national holiday," said Rod Troni, chief marketing officer for Charlotte, N.C.-based Snyder's-Lance. "We are excited to give thousands of people a chance to get a taste of our delicious Pretzel Pieces on National Pretzel Day." 

In addition, current and former professional baseball players including Chipper Jones, Zack Wheeler, Jason Motte, Glen Perkins and Joe Panik tweeted about their favorite pretzels.

Snyder's of Hanover also encouraged fans to visit its Facebook and Twitter pages for product giveaways throughout the day and to tag photos or posts on social media using #PretzelsBaby and #NationalPretzelDay to join in the celebration.

National Pretzel Day was originally established more than 30 years ago by U.S. Rep. Robert S. Walker (R-Pa.). It was then re-declared by Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell in 2003 to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state's history and economy.