Wetzel’s Pretzels names former Blaze Pizza executive Kim Freer chief marketing officerWetzel’s Pretzels names former Blaze Pizza executive Kim Freer chief marketing officer

Quick-service restaurant brand Wetzel’s Pretzels has named Kim Freer its new chief marketing officer, the company announced Wednesday.

Freer used to be part of the marketing team at Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, where she helped grow the brand from 26 stores to 341. After her time at Blaze, Freer served as chief marketing officer at Yoshinoya Japanese Kitchen. At Yoshinoya, Freer launched off-premises sales channels, including the brand's first mobile app and loyalty program.

“I’ve always admired Wetzel’s Pretzels for its crazy good food and distinctive voice,” Freer, left, said. “It’s a beloved, established brand that continues to innovate and iterate. We’re making our fresh made and fresh squeezed menu items available in a variety of flavors, and adapting our concept into various formats. Fans continue to rave about their Wetzel’s experience, so we're on a mission to make enjoying a hot pretzel even easier and more convenient than ever before.”

In this new role, Freer will support the brand’s continued growth with enhancements to its menu, ease of ordering and digital infrastructure.

“As a former chief marketing officer at Wetzel’s Pretzels, this role has a special place in my heart, and I know that we can expect big things from Kim,” said Jennifer Schuler, CEO at Wetzel’s Pretzels. “Not only is Kim joining Wetzel's during a time of great growth, but we’re excited to tap her experience and continue to bring pretzels to the people in inventive new ways.”

Wetzel’s Pretzels, based in Pasadena, Calif., has more than 300 units.