Gemütlichkeit: Warmth, Good Cheer - and Pretzels!

In today’s ConversActions podcast, we explore the twists and turns of authentic Bavarian soft pretzels with Matt Wessel, the co-owner and CEO of Milwaukee Pretzel. Matt’s origin story begins with unforgettable beer garden experiences in Munich with his wife and soon-to-be business partner Katie. Matt shares that journey of turning a love for German culture (and irresistible pretzels) into a business built on quality, customer service and inspired leadership.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

From Munich to Milwaukee: Matt and Katie experienced the flavor of genuine Bavarian pretzels during their year-long stay in Munich. This connection to German culture and the amazing quality of the pretzels sparked a dream. They brought that dream home to Milwaukee, founding their business in 2013 with serious commitment to authenticity.

Scaling with Purpose: For Matt and Katie, growth is all about focusing on what truly matters: quality, customer care, and most importantly, their people. They leverage their individual – and complementary - strengths for effectiveness as leaders.  

Innovation and Community Spirit: While honoring their core Bavarian pretzel product, they’re expanding into exciting new areas like craft mustard and gourmet cheese spreads. They’re also committed to making a difference, with a fundraising division that has already given back over $1 million to local organizations. It’s all part of their vision: The best pretzels come from Milwaukee!