Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/8/2018 (762 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A local entrepreneurial couple are about to bring a California-based vegan cinnamon roll franchise to Winnipeg.

Colin and Menchie Finlay are almost done construction on their first Cinnaholic location in Kenaston Common.

If all goes well, the restaurant will open by mid-September.

The franchise started in Berkleley, Calif., in 2009.

The menu places a heavy focus on customization.

'The cinnamon roll I had was absolutely fantastic ‐ it had a peanut butter frosting on it with chocolate peanut butter cups and chocolate drizzled over it, it was absolutely amazing' ‐ Colin Finlay

The restaurants offer 30 different frosting flavours, such as vegan cream cheese, caramel and cake batter and more than 20 toppings, such as pieces of brownie, cookie dough and marshmallows.

For the Finlays, one of the main motivators for bringing the franchise here was their love of cinnamon rolls.

They decided to open the restaurant after Menchie saw the founders on an episode of American TV show Shark Tank.

They made a point of flying to Edmonton to "get their fill of cinnamon rolls."

"The cinnamon roll I had was absolutely fantastic — it had a peanut butter frosting on it with chocolate peanut butter cups and chocolate drizzled over it, it was absolutely amazing," Colin said.

The couple both have food-service experience, with Colin working in kitchens and Menchie working on the financial side.

Colin currently works in human resources, which will give him the knowledge needed to manage employees, he said.

Their complementary skills make them a perfect fit for the business, Colin said.

However, the couple have never owned their own business — they had been looking for a restaurant to buy or a franchise to start.

"When you work for somebody else you’re always left in a spot where you depend on the circumstances, the potential can be limited," he said.

"Whereas owning your own business, it gives you the potential to kind of reach whatever you put your mind to."

Neither of the couple are vegan. However, they recognize that more people are choosing to follow a vegan diet.

"Certainly if they’re vegan, that option is there for them now," Colin said.

The food is also a good choice for people allergic to dairy or eggs, Colin said.

The pair plans to open at least two more locations.

"We’re hoping to have at least the next store open by the end of next year," he said.

However, if the demand is there, the couple plan to expand more.

At this point, three locations is the minimum, he said.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca