New cafe marks first step in a series of comprehensive renovations by
Aramark to the Pennsylvania Convention Center food and beverage
offerings
Philadelphia, PA – The Pennsylvania Convention Center, Saxbys, and
Aramark Sports + Entertainment [2] (Aramark) marked the grand opening of
a new cafe, centrally located on the facility’s exhibit hall level.
The addition of Saxbys, a Certified B Corporation headquartered in
Philadelphia takes a beloved local brand and brings it to
conference-goers who travel to the Pennsylvania Convention Center from
around the country and the world. The location marks the first Saxbys
location to open in a convention center. In addition to the cafe,
Saxbys’ operations at the Center will also include a portable
concession cart and a traveling bike to prioritize guest accessibility.
Saxbys, which operates 25 cafes in seven states, is an education company
disguised as a coffee company. From its cafes to its headquarters,
Saxbys’ core values are imperative to the business and guest
experience, especially as it launched and grew The Saxbys Experiential
Learning Platform (The Saxbys E.L.P.). Its cafes offer a unique platform
for developing the next generation of hospitality industry leaders: The
Saxbys E.L.P. cafes are student-run businesses in which the Student CEO
earns academic credit, a salary, and bonuses with full responsibility
for the operations of the business.
“We are excited to host the newest Saxbys cafe in the heart of our
facility,” said John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the
Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “The Saxbys model aligns
closely with our facility’s priorities, by sourcing their coffee beans
in a sustainable, ethical manner, investing in the development of the
next generation of hospitality industry leaders, and using recyclable
products in their cafes. At the same time, we are providing visitors to
our facility with the opportunity to experience a Philadelphia-based
brand that continues to expand its footprint beyond the city and state.”
“Hundreds of thousands of visitors from near and far experience our
hometown of Philadelphia through the Pennsylvania Convention Center. As
such, opening a Saxbys—especially an Experiential Learning Saxbys—in
the heart of the Pennsylvania Convention Center is a tremendous
opportunity for us. This bustling cafe will not only feature our
award-winning coffees and memorable hospitality but will also be run by
students from across the Philadelphia higher education ecosystem,
providing real business experience for the city’s next generation of
leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Nick Bayer, Saxbys Founder & CEO.
“The new Saxbys cafe is part of a major investment by Aramark to
reinvigorate and elevate our food and beverage selection at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center,” said Liz Noe, Vice President of
Operations at Aramark Sports + Entertainment. “In partnership with the
convention center, we are committed to continuing to enhance the overall
experience for both meeting planners and their attendees.”
In Fall 2023, Aramark plans to open six new exhibit hall concession
stands throughout the Center. These stands will be equipped with digital
signage and digital menu boards, providing limitless opportunity to
customize menus based on the show. From iconic cheesesteaks to quick
grab-and-go options, the right menu will be programmed based on what
group is visiting the Center. In addition, Aramark will launch four new
portable concession kiosks that will provide meeting planners with the
flexibility to personalize the culinary options.
About Saxbys
Saxbys is an education company disguised as a coffee company: a
one-of-a-kind hospitality platform delivering coveted, career-launching
outcomes for students and higher education partners. In 2015, Saxbys
pioneered The Saxbys E.L.P., a network of cafes entirely designed for
and run by college students. The Saxbys E.L.P. emboldens the next
generation of changemakers by providing undergraduates with
entrepreneurial opportunities, complementing classroom learning with
tangible real-world experience. Founded in 2005 by Nick Bayer and
headquartered in Philadelphia, Saxbys operates 25 cafes across seven
states; 20 of which are part of The Saxbys E.L.P. network, and include
Penn State University, The University of Pittsburgh, Drexel University,
Bowie State University, and an array of other incredible partners. Find
the Saxbys location nearest you at hellosaxbys.com or follow @saxbys on
Instagram.
About the Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in Center City
Philadelphia at the heart of the city’s many cultural offerings and
world-class dining and entertainment scene. Managed by ASM Global, the
Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features one of
the largest exhibit spaces and ballrooms in the Northeastern U.S. The
meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events hosted by the
Center attract attendees from across the country and around the world to
Philadelphia, making the facility the largest economic driver of the
region’s hospitality industry.
For more information, visit www.paconvention.com [3].
About Aramark Sports + Entertainment
Aramark Sports + Entertainment serves more than 150 award-winning food
and beverage, retail, and facility service programs in premier stadiums,
arenas, convention centers, cultural attractions, performance venues,
and unique entertainment destinations across North America. The company
has received accolades for industry innovations including autonomous
markets, dining concepts powered by artificial intelligence, and
high-profile events like NBA All-Star and MLB at Field of Dreams. In
2021, Aramark entered into a strategic collaboration with the
Philadelphia-based Starr Restaurant Organization, led by entrepreneur
and James Beard Award-winning restaurateur, Stephen Starr, which will
bring the renowned culinary visionary’s highly sought-after concepts
to clients throughout Aramark Sports + Entertainment’s portfolio.
Aramark has been recognized on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most
Admired Companies,” DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for
Diversity” and “Top Companies for Employee Resource Groups,”
Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023,”
the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” and scored
100% on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com [4]
and connect with us on Facebook [5], Twitter [6], and LinkedIn [7].
