Philly Pretzel Factory CEO and Co-Founder Dan DiZio Joins HEADstrong Foundation Board

PHILADELPHIA – Philly Pretzel Factory CEO and co-founder Dan DiZio has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the HEADstrong Foundation, a non-profit organization helping to improve lives of families affected by cancer. DiZio was inspired to get involved with the organization after visiting Nick’s House, a facility owned and operated by HEADstrong that provides complimentary lodging and amenities to families seeking comprehensive cancer care in the Greater Philadelphia Region.  DiZio will serve the organization in a business development role assisting in strategic outreach and fundraising partnerships.

“At Philly Pretzel Factory, getting involved with the community is part of our DNA,” said DiZio. “HEADstrong shares a lot of our core values, especially its hands-on approach to their mission statement of improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. My goal as a board member is to lend my expertise to expand the fundraising aspect with community involvement.”

Philly Pretzel Factory and DiZio are no strangers to fundraising and getting involved with local charities and initiatives. The brand has given back to the community through many partnerships with schools and one of DiZio’s favorite days of the year is when the entire franchise system gives away one free pretzel to each person who walks through the door on April 26, National Pretzel Day. DiZio also participated in the reality television series “Undercover Boss” in 2012, where he got to know franchisees and managers, and then gifted each with a meaningful reward.

The HEADstrong Foundation was founded in 2006 by Nick Colleluori, who was terminally diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 19 years old.  ESPN chronicled Colleluori’s heroic battle, as he was a student-athlete at Hofstra University.  Colleluori passed away on November 28, 2006, leaving behind an incredible legacy, entrusted to his family to grow, now known as the HEADstrong Foundation.

As a patient himself, Colleluori realized a lack of available resources and knew that his experience and efforts could be challenged to help families devastated by the overwhelming costs of care.  Nick’s brother Michael, who serves as the organization’s vice president and is also a Philly Pretzel Factory franchisee in Logan Township, New Jersey, said DiZio brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization. “Dan has a proven track record from a business growth standpoint and he’s a great sounding board,” Mike Colleluori said. “Dan thinks outside the box and brings a new perspective to the table. On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation and our family we wish to welcome Dan DiZio to our organization and look forward to collaboratively evolving our strategic vision for the future.”

About Philly Pretzel Factory:
Philly Pretzel Factory offers consumers a fresh, healthier choice of a satisfying snack with their fresh-baked pretzels that are “served hot outta the oven.” Philly Pretzel Factory was founded in 1998 by college buddies Dan DiZio and Len Lehman and has grown into the largest Philly style pretzel bakery in the world, feeding customers at more than 150 franchised locations primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, expanding from New York to Florida. Philly Pretzel Factory’s menu offers the traditional Philly style pretzel and also includes pretzel twists, mini pretzels, rivets, pretzel dogs, cheesesteak pretzels and a variety of mustards. These products can be found in a stand-alone bakery, transportation and entertainment venues, and in the nation’s largest retailer, Walmart. For more information on Philly Pretzel Factory, visit www.phillypretzelfactory.com. To inquire about franchise opportunities, visit www.ownappf.com

About HEADstrong Foundation:
The HEADstrong Foundation™ is a 501(c)(3) committed to being a resource for cancer patients and their families, helping them to navigate the harrowing ordeal of cancer by providing essential services to improve quality of life.

HEADstrong™ is an athletic rooted organization that serves the cancer community by granting direct financial assistance to those financially impacted as a result of the disease, by providing complimentary long-term housing and amenities for those traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for cancer related treatments through Nick’s House™, by funding innovative blood cancer research through the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma research fund, by serving family meals and offering outlets of entertainment for those receiving care at hospitals, by delivering comfort kits to newly hospitalized patients preparing for treatment or transplant and by lending an arm of support through their peer to peer advocacy group.

The blueprints for the Foundation were conceptualized by Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori in 2006, while he underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which ultimately claimed his life.  Today, Nick’s vision is being fulfilled through the relentless efforts of his family, athletes and supporters across the country uniting in the fight against cancers.

For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation™ and how they are Getting aHEAD of Cancer™ go to www.HEADstrong.org.