Hatboro’s Karl Brown exports his Pretzel Pete products to over 85 countries but is bracing for global trade shifts, writes Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza for the Philadelphia Tribune.
As CEO of Pretzel Pete and SB Global, Brown has built his business around the appeal of high-quality American snacks. At its peak, China was his largest market. But following the imposition of 25% tariffs under the Trump administration, business to China dropped by 80%. More recently, new tariffs from both Canada and Germany — two of Brown’s most important markets — are forcing another strategic pivot.
His products, often customized for different markets, are now harder to move internationally due to both rising tariffs and volatile trade conditions. In some cases, entire shipments have been canceled — leaving his team with product they can’t sell.
Despite the setbacks, Brown continues to adapt, focusing on long-term relationships with trading partners and exploring growth opportunities across Europe and North America.
Through it all, Pretzel Pete remains a homegrown success story — showing that even in a shifting global landscape, Montgomery County businesses still have a seat at the international table.
Read more about how Hatboro’s Pretzel Pete and other local businesses are adapting to the global trade shifts in the Philadelphia Tribune.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO Today in April 2025.
