SPARKS

SPARKS is the new café on the fourth floor of the Student Innovation Center. SPARKS is 100% student run. Students are fully responsible for managing the café. For instance, students are learning to manage daily business decisions about factors such as inventory, food safety, hiring and salaries, product pricing, marketing, and defining sales strategies. Hospitality flair, leadership, teamwork, and a self-starter personality are the ingredients for success as a SPARKS team member.

Innovation and creativity play a prominent role in the SPARKS strategy to ensure great guest experiences and innovative products. Students are involved in each decision related to food, beverage, merchandise, and products. They create their own products and engage their customers by asking them to vote on their favorites or suggest what products they would like to try in the future.

SPARKS Water is branded with the Iowa State Tartan and with an inspiring slogan that reflect the AESHM values. “Drink innovation..Put a little Spark in your day” and try our ham and cheese with mango chutney sandwich or an iced latte with raspberry syrup. 

SPARKS also values the entrepreneurial mindset by serving its own coffee blend created by an Iowa State alum.

Location: 4220A Student Innovation Center, 538 Bissell Road, Ames, Iowa 50011

Parking: Metered visitor parking available in lot 21, next to the Armory

Need More Information?

Yann-Guenter Queckenstedt

4220A Student Innovation Center
606 Bissell Road
Ames, Iowa 50011

sparks_aeshm@iastate.edu