Students hustling between labs and lectures now have one more reason to detour through Chestnut Street: Philly Pretzel Factory is officially open inside Drexel University’s Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building, bringing the chain’s signature soft twists and a new slate of frozen treats right into University City. Owner and local franchisee Yuliya Malaty says she plans to hire student workers and build shifts around class schedules, arriving just as campus dining has shifted this academic year and students look for more grab-and-go options.
New concept for the chain on campus
As reported by Drexel University, the Constantine N. Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building location is a pilot shop for the chain that will serve water ice and ice cream alongside its usual pretzel menu. Drexel highlighted the store in a November 2025 roundup of new on-campus businesses, framing it as part of broader retail changes around the university.
Menu highlights
The shop keeps the Factory's core staples, including soft pretzels, Rivets, pretzel dogs and pepperoni melts, and layers on more indulgent options such as pretzel poppers stuffed with cheesesteak, gelati and Rivet sundaes. As detailed by The Triangle, the expanded dessert lineup and water-ice machine are meant to stand out for students who want something sweet with their salty snack.
Franchisee and hiring plans
The shop's owner, Yuliya Malaty, told The Triangle she previously worked at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman Center and that "it's been a lot" to get the location open, but she is "very excited to be a part of the campus." Malaty said the store will look to hire student employees and will try to build shifts that accommodate class schedules, a setup that could make the pretzel stand feel more like a campus fixture than just another chain.
Where to go
The shop sits on the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building ground floor at 3245 Chestnut Street. The chain's online store directory lists the Drexel outpost and is the best place to check current hours and ordering options. Philly Pretzel Factory maintains up-to-date menu and location details for anyone planning a visit.
Expect a few lines as students discover the new setup, but for now the Drexel Pretzel Factory delivers a familiar, quick snack with the added novelty of water ice and soft-serve right on campus.
