January 27, 2026 — Just over a year since opening its doors, the student-run Saxbys cafe continues to set new benchmarks, wrapping up another record-breaking semester while serving as a powerful experiential learning laboratory for Marist students.

The fall 2025 semester saw unprecedented growth, with the cafe achieving its highest ever weekly revenue and completing approximately 5,500 orders in a single week, cementing Marist’s Saxbys as one of the top-performing locations across the entire Saxbys network.

"These results reflect exactly what experiential learning is designed to do—give students the opportunity to run a real business with real stakes," said Heather Hallenbeck, Director of Experiential Learning in the School of Management. "Our students aren't simulating success; they're creating it.”

Led by Student CEO Connor Finn '27, a key driver of the fall semester's success was the expansion to seven-day operations, providing more consistent service to the Marist community and creating additional experiential learning opportunities for student employees.

The 45-member student team continues to manage every aspect of the cafe's operations, from inventory management to customer service, gaining valuable real-world business experience that complements their academic studies.

Students prepare food and beverages at Saxbys in December 2025. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist Unviversity.

Beyond the revenue milestones, the team has continued to refine operational efficiency, maintaining the quick service times that have made the cafe a campus favorite while handling record order volumes. This semester, the 'In a Rush' menu highlights items that can be ready in five minutes or less for in-person ordering, perfect for students and faculty racing to their next class.

"The skills our students are developing—managing complexity under pressure, leading teams, solving problems in real time—these are exactly what employers tell us they're looking for," Hallenbeck said. "Our graduates will walk into their first jobs already knowing what it takes to deliver results.”

As Saxbys prepares for the spring 2026 semester, Tania Mureb '26, a psychology major, has been selected as the next Student CEO. Tania brings nearly seven years of coffee shop experience to the role, having worked as a barista and helped manage her family's Titanic Coffee shop in Congers, NY since 2019. She has also worked as an employee at Saxbys since the fall of 2024.

New Student CEO Tania Mureb ’26. Photo courtesy of Tania Mureb.

"I wanted to be a leader that my team can rely on and aim to make my team the best versions of themselves, inside and outside of the cafe," Tania said. "What I'm most looking forward to is working alongside my team again. That sense of connection is what makes Saxbys Marist so special to me because we're a team both inside and outside of the cafe."

Saxbys remains open seven days a week, serving as a popular gathering spot where the Marist community connects, studies, and socializes. Students interested in joining the Saxbys team can apply for positions each semester, with opportunities available across various operational areas regardless of major or school affiliation.

Take a look at some of what's on offer this semester at Saxbys!


Graphic courtesy of Saxbys.