Bachelor of Science
Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship
Where Food Meets Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a great idea — it’s also about how you tell the story and connect with your audience. Our Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship bachelor’s degree program prepares you for a career as a food‐based innovator.
This program will teach you what it takes to launch your own venture, from developing a business plan to managing resources, marketing and growth. Courses in entrepreneurship combine with traditional business classes outlining strategies for kickstarting your own business, joining an emerging venture, or working as a corporate entrepreneur in food‐ or beverage‐related industries.
Work with expert faculty, as well as business and community leaders, at our Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship, where you will find the resources to help support making your business ideas a reality. Experiential opportunities provide you with the practical skills to identify opportunities and solve problems that you’d encounter launching a business.
Individual states may require specific licensing or professional certification in addition to earning a degree in order to practice in the field. Learn more via the Catalog’s Licensure & Professional Certification Disclosures. Admissions is contingent upon meeting the technical standards for this program.
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Food’s Next Big Idea
JWU’s Future Food All-Stars Challenge is an annual pitch competition that puts students’ culinary expertise and entrepreneurship skills to the test. This year’s big ideas united food and sustainability — with all 3 teams capitalizing on marketplace opportunities.
Bring Business Ideas to Life
At JWU, the resources to support your business idea are never far away. Our faculty bring real-world expertise and practical know-how to help you shape your big idea into a tangible concept.
Throughout the program, learn what it takes to start an innovative food-related venture, including:
- Using the art of the pitch to sell a concept to potential investors.
- Developing a viable business plan.
- Running a market test of your product as part of the Entrepreneurship Seminar capstone.
- Refining your idea at the Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship, JWU Providence’s business incubator space.
- Pitching your business idea at Sharkfest or the Future Food All-Stars Competition.
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Sample Courses
- Pitching & Planning New Ventures
- Introduction to Food Product Development
- Change and Innovation Management
- Small Business Management
- Marketing for Entrepreneurs
- Entrepreneurship Seminar
In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits. Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing:
Career Possibilities
- Restaurateur
- Food/Beverage Marketer
- Food/Beverage Sales Professional
- Food/Beverage Business Owner
- Food/Beverage Distributor
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.
Featured Faculty
Associate Instructor
Mark Soliday is an associate instructor of baking & pastry arts with more than 30 years of industry experience — 20 as an executive pastry chef in hotels.
Professor
Assistant Professor Amaechi is a result-oriented researcher, trainer, lecturer, author and entrepreneur.
