Saxbys Circular Conceptual Framework

The ‘Saxbys Circular Conceptual Framework’ evolved out of a directive to assess the financial viability of a comprehensive sustainability plan for Saxbys Coffee, a small chain of coffee shops based in Philadelphia. Research revealed that most millennials consider sustainability when making coffee purchase decisions and that most major Saxbys competitors are investing heavily in sustainability. Furthermore, Saxbys runs a unique type of café, an “Experiential Learning Program” (ELP) which is run 100% by college students on the campuses of their respective colleges and universities. Saxbys Circular will leverage the company’s experience with university partnerships to create an ELP which hires student Chief Sustainability Officers to use the on-campus café as a laboratory for sustainability initiatives which can be implemented at the corporate level. The framework aims to help Saxbys use one core competency, experiential learning, to develop a new one, sustainability, and to do so in a fun, marketable way with an acceptable return on investment.