Last August if you had asked Janet Martin about starting a new career she probably would have laughed. But eight weeks ago that is exactly what Janet and her husband Bill did. After being a pharmacy tech for five years and having an established sales career before that, Janet was excited about the prospect of doing something different. Bill Martin was anxious to come out of retirement and so they invested their life savings into a unique food eatery. Rolling in the Dough Pretzel Company, located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, neighbors Food City.
“The store has been around for almost a year. We were happy to franchise in to it and have found that it doesn’t take long to establish a cult following,” comments Janet with a smile. When asked what motivated Janet to make a career change to something so unique she replies, “Why not – I’m nuts. I love everything about this shop.”
For out-of-town returning customers the response has been very positive. “We just love these pretzels,” said Bob Stanley of Alabama. Bob and his wife Anne sampled the pretzels a year ago on their vacation. “We remembered this place. Although it looks a lot different.” The appearance is just one of the many changes the Martins have made since becoming the new proprietors. A fountain drink machine has been added and the menu has experienced a face-lift. “The dough is the same,” stresses Janet. “It’s important for our returning customers to know that. If they fell in love with the flavor of the pretzel that hasn’t changed even if the paint on the walls has,” she continues.
Locals can also throw in their business card for a chance to win a free pretzel. Several area businesses have already taken advantage of the delicious pretzel bites, which seem to be the perfect thing for an office party. “Mountain National bank ordered 180 bites the other morning in a variety of flavors. I think they’re addicted,” laughs Janet.
So, what is so unique about Rolling in the Dough? They hand roll and oven-bake each pretzel as it is ordered. Each pretzel takes six minutes and the bites take about five. They also offer meals like pretzel bowls, which come stuffed with nacho chips, chili or even mashed potatoes. They offer pretzel dogs, their version of a hot dog and bun, and they also offer the Pizza Pretzel, basically their own twisted slice of Heaven.
The Martins have also employed the practice of regular hours which is not something customers are used to. “The former owners were open when they were busy and closed when they weren’t the hours were very sketchy. We are open regular hours all the time regardless of whether or not we have a line out the door,” stresses Janet. “It’s important for people to know that we are here to serve them the absolutely best pretzel they will ever taste. We also have a great staff that is eager to make our customers happy. The staff provided for Rolling comes courtesy of Janet Maples and the Pigeon Forge High School Decca program. “What an excellent way for us to give back to the community and at the same time get responsible able-bodied help,” comments Janet. “We are so glad that we became involved in Decca everything has just fallen in place for us,” she adds.
Rolling in the Dough is open at 11 a.m. every day. They are open until midnight on Saturdays.

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