We’ve Got Some Big News!
We’re proud to announce that Saxbys has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in the United States for the third straight year. We’re number 2065 in 2018!
It’s been quite a journey since we first made the list in 2016. Back then we had less than 250 team members — now we have over 500. Back then we had 17 cafes — now we have 28 in six states.
We’re particularly excited about the growth of our Experiential Learning Program — where students earn academic credit to manage all aspects of a Saxbys café. What seemed like an experiment when we first launched at Drexel University in 2015, has turned into a pioneering program that spans numerous university partnerships including Penn State, Temple, West Chester, La Salle, Millersville and St. Joseph’s Universities. Our Student Cafe Executive Officers (those who exclusively run our cafes) are outgoing, detail-oriented and disciplined — or, as we call it, O.D.D.
Through this program, they get incredible experience and a terrific resume builder. We believe and teach that once you master all the moving parts of a cafe, you can apply it to any industry. Our exclusively student teams learn what we call the Three Pillars of successful organizations: Team Development, Community Leadership and Financial Management. These pillars prepare them for any business challenge they’ll face later in their careers. By the end of 2018, we’ll have eight ELP cafes at universities along the East Coast — and will continue to expand the program in the years to come.
When we’re not working directly with those already in the academic space, we’re helping others who may not have an opportunity to enter it. In the last year, we’ve significantly advanced the community impact that matters most to us — affordability and accessibility of education. Earlier this year, we announced two scholarship funds providing $85,000 to students at Temple University and the Community College of Philadelphia. Far too many bright students in Philadelphia aren’t getting a fair chance at an education — and we hope these scholarships will be the extra push they need to earn a college degree. Over the past year, our philanthropic efforts have totaled more than $100,000, with donations to a variety of organizations such as Philly Youth Network, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Monkey & The Elephant, Children’s Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia, National Youth Foundation, College Possible, Valley Youth House, and Covenant House.
And of course, as is tradition, we’re hosting our third straight celebratory Inc. 5000 event along with the other Philly-based winners. Details are limited right now, but the event will once again focus on coming together with our fellow honorees to celebrate entrepreneurship, our home city of Philadelphia and raise money to make a difference in our community. Stay tuned and thanks for supporting Saxbys!