The Salty-Sweet Revolution: 5 Things You Need To Know About The Pretzel Cone After The Major 2025 Acquisition

The pretzel cone is no longer just a novelty; it is officially a major player in the dessert world. As of late 2025, the unique, salty-sweet ice cream cone—pioneered by a company called Cone Guys—has become the subject of a massive business expansion, signaling a new era for this crunchy treat. This iconic cone, which perfectly blends the savory crunch of a pretzel with the creamy delight of ice cream, is poised to move from a specialty item to a mainstream staple across the country.

The latest and most significant update is a major corporate move that will change how and where you find this delicious dessert. This article breaks down the history, the flavor profile, and the future of the pretzel cone, ensuring your knowledge is as fresh as the product itself.

The Cone Guys Acquisition: A New Era for the Salty-Sweet Treat

The biggest news surrounding the pretzel cone is a major business development that took place in September 2025. This move has cemented the cone’s place in the national dessert landscape and promises wide-scale availability for the future.

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Philly Pretzel Factory Buys the Original Manufacturer

In a move that caught the attention of foodies and industry analysts, the owners of Philly Pretzel Factory, the nation's largest Philly-style pretzel franchise, formally acquired Cone Guys. Cone Guys, based in Bristol, Pennsylvania, is the original manufacturer and pioneer of the pretzel cone, having been founded back in 1994.

This acquisition is a strategic maneuver that broadens the Philly Pretzel Factory’s offerings and expands them into the dessert market. The company has announced plans to integrate the pretzel cones, along with other desserts like water ice and soft-serve ice cream, into most of its stores by the end of 2026. This means that the salty, unique flavor of the pretzel cone is about to become exponentially easier to find.

Key Entities in the Acquisition:

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• Cone Guys: The original pioneer and manufacturer of the pretzel cone.
• Philly Pretzel Factory: The acquiring company, known for its Philly-style soft pretzels.
• Acquisition Date: September 2025 (The most recent and forward-looking news).
• Future Plans: Expansion into water ice and soft-serve, with cones available in most stores by late 2026.

What Exactly is a Pretzel Cone? Unpacking the Flavor Profile

For those who have yet to experience this culinary mashup, the pretzel cone is a game-changer that elevates the simple act of eating ice cream. It is a crispy, crunchy baked cone made with a distinct pretzel flavor and texture.

The magic lies in the perfect blend of sweet and salty. While a traditional waffle cone offers sweetness and crunch, the pretzel cone introduces a savory, slightly salty, and sturdy carby-crackery element that counters the richness of the ice cream.

The Sweet-and-Salty Synergy:

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• The Cone: It is a sturdy, baked cone with the unmistakable flavor of a crunchy pretzel.
• The Experience: Reviewers often praise the "salty-carby-crackery" texture against the cold, creamy ice cream.
• Why it Works: The saltiness acts as a flavor amplifier, enhancing the sweetness of the ice cream and creating a more complex, satisfying dessert experience.

It’s a unique flavor profile that sets your dessert apart, making it a favorite for foodies looking for an elevated treat.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Roots and Pretzel Cone History

While the modern pretzel cone was commercialized by Cone Guys in the 1990s, its conceptual roots trace back to a specific regional influence: the Pennsylvania Dutch.

The origin of the pretzel cone is said to have started in the Philadelphia area, an epicenter of the Pennsylvania Dutch food tradition. This culture has a deep fondness for pretzels, which are themselves a snack with a history dating back to European monasteries in the Middle Ages. The idea of combining the beloved salty pretzel with a sweet dessert is a natural extension of this regional culinary heritage.

Cone Guys successfully pioneered the product, turning a regional curiosity into a novelty product that became a staple in ice cream shops nationwide.

Recommended Ice Cream Pairings

The beauty of the pretzel cone is its versatility. Its salty base makes it an excellent canvas for nearly any ice cream flavor, though some pairings are considered legendary:

• Chocolate: The classic pairing of salty pretzels and chocolate is amplified.
• Vanilla/Sweet Cream: Allows the salty, savory notes of the cone to shine through most prominently.
• Caramel/Butter Pecan: The nutty, buttery flavors complement the pretzel's savory profile perfectly.
• Strawberry or Fruity Flavors: Provides a surprising contrast, with the saltiness cutting through the acidity of the fruit.

How to Get Your Hands on a Pretzel Cone Today

The good news is that you don't have to wait until the Philly Pretzel Factory expansion in 2026 to enjoy this treat. The Cone Guys brand of pretzel cones is widely available through various online and retail channels, making it a perfect at-home dessert option.

You can find them sold in packages, often in a 5-piece format, ready to be paired with your favorite hand-dipped scoops. They are a fantastic way to set your home-made desserts apart from the competition, delighting guests with a unique twist on a classic.

Current Retailers and Availability (Cone Guys / Specialty Cones):

• Online Food Wholesalers: Sites like WebstaurantStore offer them in bulk for businesses.
• Specialty Retailers: World Market and Pennsylvania General Store stock them for individual consumers.
• Mass-Market Retailers: They are also available from major platforms like Walmart and novelty sites like Vat19.
• Local Ice Cream Shops: Many independent ice cream parlors and dessert establishments nationwide carry them as a specialty cone option.

The Future of the Pretzel Cone: Expansion and Dessert Dominance

The 2025 acquisition is more than just a business transaction; it’s a sign of the pretzel cone's burgeoning popularity and its role in the future of frozen desserts. The move by Philly Pretzel Factory indicates a strong belief that the sweet-and-salty combination is not a fad but a permanent fixture in the American palate.

As the company moves forward with its 2026 expansion plan, expect to see the pretzel cone integrated into new forms, potentially including pretzel cone sundaes, soft-serve swirls, and more innovative dessert creations. This focus on specialty cones, including chocolate-coated and double wafer varieties, is part of a larger trend of elevating the ice cream experience beyond just the scoop.

From its humble Pennsylvania Dutch origins to a national dessert staple backed by a major franchise, the pretzel cone's journey is a testament to the irresistible power of the perfect salty-sweet balance. It is a must-try for any true dessert enthusiast.