Auntie Anne’s Pretzels is handing out free samples on its opening day Friday.

Samplers can stop by the new J Street venue between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to taste the original and cinnamon pretzels.

The University announced this fall that Auntie Anne’s would replace Freshens, which sold frozen yogurt and smoothies.

It is the first chain restaurant added to J Street since Campus Dining scrapped the Wendy’s and Chik-Fil-A in August 2011.

Director of Campus Support Services Nancy Haaga said she hoped Auntie Anne’s will  excite more students about J Street, which has swapped out several vendors and overhauled its marketing in the last few years to attract diners.