Rosen College of Hospitality Management students Matt Schaefer and Kyle Roach recently placed fourth in the 8th Annual Joust Business Plan Tournament. This premier student competition is hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), located in the College of Business Administration.
Schaefer is a graduate student pursuing his master’s degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management and Roach is an undergraduate Hospitality Management major. The duo pitched the concept for Dave’s Market, a tribute to David Schaefer, a Rosen College student who was killed in an automobile accident in October 2010. The mission of the project is to provide a well thought out and profitable restaurant that incorporates David’s passion for cuisine, as well as good times with good friends.
Over 30 teams applied to compete, and Schaefer and Roach successfully made it to the Joust Finals where they went up against three student entrepreneur groups. Each team had 15 minutes to present their company to the judges, followed by a 10-minute question and answer session, in front of approximately 100 attendees.
Schaefer shares, “It was an unforgettable experience that provided information on the restaurant industry that [Kyle and I] never would have unveiled.” He hopes that more Rosen College students will participate in next year’s Joust.
Event judges included: Tom Bland, ’75 and ’79; Steven Felkowitz, ’79; Paul Gregg, ’74 and ’76; Ron Pizzuti; Mark Plaumann, ’74 and ’79, and Marilyn Wilson. The sponsor of the event was Steven Felkowitz, ’79. He is chief executive officer of Atico International and a College of Business Administration Hall of Fame member.
For more about the winning business concepts, please click here.