Executive Express Cafe
Good Food. Great Coffee. Inspired Learning
The Executive Express Café is a volunteer student-operated enterprise that is managed by Sycamore Student Ventures. Students of the Scott College of Business’s BUS 401 course are placed in charge of the café’s daily operations, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, learning labs, and competitive strategies. The café provides students with real world experience and presents the daily challenges of running a business.
The Executive Express Cafe menu features:
- Papa John’s Pizza
- Wise Pies Pizza
- Chick-fil-A Sandwiches
- Butler’s Pantry Gourmet Sandwiches
- Baesler’s Market Sandwiches
- Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
- Rex Coffee
History
In 2009, a group of students in Dr. Robinson’s BUS 401 (Senior Business Experience) class developed a strategy for a student-run café to serve as a learning lab for the Scott College of Business. Students wanted to have hands-on experience creating and running the café, and to offer their café as a venue for projects from other classes. The first student team designed the café´s operations and secured initial funding through donations of labor and equipment as well as a loan from President Bradley. The café replaced a failed sandwich shop in the lobby of the college. Profits from the café repaid the loan from the President in one semester of operations while raising almost $500 in donations for relief work in Haiti after the devastating earthquake.
In 2012, the Scott College moved from the Towers to Federal Hall. A brand new café facility and equipment was provided by the college for the students to operate in the Garden Level of Federal Hall. Since then, the café has improved with each new semester of students.
Student Accomplishments and Projects
- Partner in creating and operating the Tech Express
- Students raised over $ 2,000 in tips for donation to charities and student organizations
- As a learning lab the café has had up to 17% of students in the college doing projects involving the cafe
- The café is self-sustaining and constantly upgrading and improving menu and equipment