Seton Hall students will soon be able to grab freshly baked pretzels between classes. Auntie Anne’s, a national pretzel franchise, will open in the University Center in fall 2026, according to Student Services.
The announcement follows an April survey conducted by the Student Government Association (SGA) and Student Services, which asked students which new franchise they would like to see on campus. Approximately 1,550 students participated, Monica Burnette, vice president of student services, said.
After reviewing the available budget and University Center space, Student Services selected three finalists: Smoothie King, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Auntie Anne’s. Auntie Anne’s received the most votes, with respondents citing price as the key factor in their choice, Burnette said.
Auntie Anne’s menu items cost $7.85 or less, including combo meals. By contrast, Smoothie King and Tropical Smoothie Cafe list the top price at $8.49.
Students were also seeking novelty.
According to Burnette, survey respondents requested “new, unique options.” Among the three finalists, Auntie Anne’s was the only restaurant without an existing equivalent on campus. While the dining hall has a smoothie station, freshly baked pretzels are not currently offered.
To celebrate the announcement, students lined up at a food truck event on Oct. 28 to try Auntie Anne’s pretzels, lemonade and pretzel dogs. Lines wrapped around the University Center as students waited for free samples and shared their thoughts on Auntie Anne’s coming to campus.
“[I’m] excited to see something new,” Jane Weinfeld, a freshman social work major, said. “We need more variety on campus.”
For some students, Auntie Anne’s represents more than just a new dining option; it’s a taste of home.
Briana Chaperon, a junior nursing major, said the addition brings a sense of familiarity to campus.
“It feels like I’m at home because I have an Auntie Anne’s literally down the corner from me,” she said.
Similarly, freshman Kayla Noh, who is part of the 4+2 elementary education, special education and speech pathology program, said the franchise reminds her of childhood trips to the mall with her mom.
“We always got [Auntie Anne’s] at the end [of shopping] or as some sort of motivation to me from tantruming in the middle of the store,” she said. “It’s like nostalgia.”
Noh said her go-to order was the mini pretzel dogs, which she liked for their balance of sweet and savory.
“My favorite thing about them is that there’s not too much sugar,” she said, adding that the cinnamon pretzel is a close second. She and her brother often split one of each.
Not all students shared that enthusiasm, however.
Samhitha Swarna, a senior finance major, said she would’ve preferred Tropical Smoothie Cafe, describing it as “a really healthy and fresh option compared to the other food on campus.”
Freshman psychology major JaeMi Son Cutler agreed, adding that “having more fruit options could encourage people to eat healthier as opposed to the sugary drinks at Starbucks or pizza at By the Slice.”
“It just feels like there are a lot of carb-heavy options [for student dining],” they added.
Other students questioned the practicality of an Auntie Anne’s on a college campus.
Rachel Kelman, a junior marketing major, said she was “disappointed” to hear that Auntie Anne’s had been selected.
“[It] isn’t a practical franchise to be running out of a college,” she said. “A smoothie franchise would’ve been a much better choice because it’s quick, more nutritious and a practical thing to grab on the run.”
Even with divided feedback, the addition of Auntie Anne’s remains on track for next fall.
The franchise is set to open on the first floor of the University Center, next to Pirate’s Express, with construction expected to begin next summer. According to Burnette, Auntie Anne’s will accept credit cards, Pirates Gold and Pirate Bucks.
Annabelle Fette is a writer for The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at annabelle.fette@student.shu.edu.
