Virginia Commonwealth University and Saxbys Partner to Launch a New Experiential Learning Cafe
A new student-led cafe in Snead Hall brings the Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform® to one of the nation’s leading public research universities
Richmond, VA — May 5, 2026 — Virginia Commonwealth University, one of the nation’s leading public research universities, is partnering with Saxbys to open a new student-led experiential learning cafe in Snead Hall, home to VCU’s School of Business.
Saxbys transforms campus operations into student-led businesses and leadership laboratories through its Experiential Learning Platform® (ELP), which will now be embedded directly into VCU’s academic and campus life.
At VCU, the Saxbys ELP will extend the university’s Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning (REAL) framework, designed to ensure students connect knowledge to action. The REAL framework emphasizes VCU’s belief that learning is most powerful when applied. The Saxbys partnership reflects alignment with how experiential learning is viewed not just as a program, but as infrastructure embedded within a university that has intentionally prioritized applied, career-connected education.
“This collaboration between the School of Business and Saxbys reflects our deep commitment to preparing students for the realities of today’s business world. By placing students in paid, credit-bearing leadership roles with true operational and financial accountability, we’re helping them graduate not just with a degree, but with the confidence, tools, and experience employers value. This is what free enterprise looks like in practice." - Brian Brown, Ph.D., Dean and Professor of Marketing, VCU School of Business,
Each semester, a competitively selected Student CEO takes full responsibility for operating the business. In these paid, credit-bearing leadership roles, Student CEOs build and develop teams, navigate operational complexity, and serve thousands of guests, all while managing real P&L responsibility.
“VCU has made a clear commitment to what they call ‘opportunity creation’—not just expanding access, but ensuring students develop the real-world skills and experiences that allow them to create opportunities for themselves. That belief is deeply aligned with our mission to Make Life Better by creating real opportunities for students to lead, grow, and prove what they’re capable of. When that level of institutional intent meets a model like ours, the partnership has a strong foundation to build something truly special for generations of VCU students.” - Nick Bayer, Founder and CEO of Saxbys
The Saxbys cafe will replace the Bleecker Street cafe and sit within Snead Hall’s central atrium, an integral gathering space within a building designed for the full arc of business education, from case-based classrooms to collaborative and career-focused programming. team-building rooms. Located steps from the Office of Student Engagement and Business Career Services, the cafe becomes a part of the daily rhythm of student development.
The Saxbys model aligns operational stewardship with academic opportunity, demonstrating how student leadership development and exceptional business performance can go hand-in-hand. This collaboration reflects a broader institutional approach at VCU, one that brings together academic programs, campus operations, and industry partners to create more integrated pathways from learning to practice.
“We are excited about what this represents beyond a new café as we reimagine how a campus dining space can serve as an engine for experiential learning, leadership development, and student success. This location is an investment in students as leaders, introducing an innovative model that transforms a campus café into both a business and a leadership laboratory while advancing VCU’s commitment to experiential learning in a tangible way.” - Stephen Barr, Ed.D., CASP, Director of Business Services
All VCU undergraduate students have the opportunity to apply for the credited Student CEO role or join the Saxbys VCU team.
“The School of Business has strategically designed its academic environment to connect learning with practice. Saxby’s Experiential Learning Platform is a natural fit for that mission. By integrating a student-led business into Snead Hall, we’re turning the building itself into a living classroom every day — a classroom that reinforces leadership, collaboration, and creative problem solving." Jana P. McQuaid, Ed.D., Associate Dean, Academic Programs and Student Success, VCU School of Business
The VCU community is invited to celebrate the Grand Opening on August 25th, 2026, with programming designed to introduce the space and the student leaders who will bring it to life, as well as giveaways and opening-day surprises. Guests can enjoy Saxbys signature Cold Brew and Matcha Collections, all-day breakfast, made-to-order grilled cheeses, protein-packed Fit Frolattes, and more.
Saxbys is an experiential learning company that transforms campus operations into student-led businesses and leadership laboratories.
Through its Experiential Learning Platform®, Saxbys embeds paid, credit-bearing roles with real P&L responsibility into daily campus operations. 100% of Saxbys Student CEOs graduate on-time while leading teams of their peers, serving their campus communities, and owning the financial performance of a real business — putting them on a path to leadership roles 7x faster than the national average.
Over the past decade, Saxbys has developed more than 3,000 student leaders, served over 9 million guests, and operates 30 cafes nationwide in partnership with leading colleges and universities.