Cinnaholic, the plant-based cinnamon roll chain that got its start near UC Berkeley, is back on familiar turf with a new storefront on Hearst Avenue. The shop quietly soft-opened in March and is gearing up for a grand opening tomorrow, complete with a morning special that drops signature rolls to $2 each, one per guest, before shifting to regular evening hours.
Back on the Northside
The new Northside shop sits on Hearst Avenue, directly across from the north edge of the UC Berkeley campus, sliding into a campus-adjacent strip previously occupied by other small businesses, as reported by The Oaklandside. That outlet notes the location quietly soft-opened in March and identifies Lorraine Mena as the assistant store manager for the new franchise.
Owners and the Founder's Return
The Berkeley outpost is owned and operated by Kevin and Shannon Slocum, a couple who told SFGATE they moved to the Bay Area during the pandemic and saw bringing Cinnaholic back to Berkeley as “our franchise opportunity.” Cinnaholic founder Shannon Radke also turned up for the reopening at the site where the chain first launched in 2010, adding a full-circle moment to the comeback.
Grand Opening Details
Tomorrow, from 10:30 AM to 2 PM, signature rolls will go for $2 each, limited to one per guest, before prices return to normal later in the day. Regular hours are expected to run into the evening, The Oaklandside reports. The cut-rate rollout mirrors Cinnaholic's typical grand opening strategy, designed to pull in students and neighbors with a low-stakes first taste.
Menu, Catering and Services
The menu centers on build-your-own cinnamon rolls, letting customers pile on toppings and frostings, and branches out with cakes, edible cookie dough, brownies, cookies and smaller “baby buns.” Cinnaholic's official listings note that the company offers catering, that all of its products are 100% vegan and that the business is headquartered in Atlanta, according to Cinnaholic.
Why the Return Matters
Cinnaholic first opened in Berkeley in 2010 and later drew national attention after an appearance on “Shark Tank,” helping the brand grow into a network of franchises. A March press release puts the current count at roughly 85 locations and notes that more openings are planned this year, framing Berkeley's comeback as part of steady nationwide expansion, per Business Wire.
Local Reaction
Early reviews and local listings suggest diners are happy to see a vegan cinnamon roll option back near campus, with customers praising warm rolls and friendly staff during the soft-opening stretch. Online posts and reviews on platforms such as HappyCow highlight positive first impressions from neighborhood patrons who seem ready to fold Cinnaholic back into their dessert rotation.
