Become a CEO Before You Graduate
Part of the Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Flyer Enterprises is one of the nation's largest student-run businesses — with more than 250 student employees and $2.7 million in annual revenue.
Flyer Enterprises began in 1990 with Rudy's Fly-Buy, a convenience store in the UD student neighborhood. Today it has expanded to include:
- ArtStreet Café (student neighborhood)
- The Blend coffee shop (Roesch Library)
- The Blend Express coffee shop (Miriam Hall)
- Brown Street Bistro (Fitz Hall)
- The CHILL power smoothie and snack bar (RecPlex)
- First Class Flyers (FE's staffing division)
- FE Creative marketing agency
- FE Digital (Greater West Dayton Incubator/off-campus)
- FEIT information technology services
- Fly By (Hangar, Kennedy Union)
- Heritage CoffeeHouse (Heritage Center)
- Rudy's Runway e-commerce
- Startup Grounds (The Hub Powered by PNC Bank/off-campus)
- Stuart's Landing convenience store (Stuart Hall)
Benefits for Students
Students involved in Flyer Enterprises don't just learn business theory — they become the business. By taking ownership, they transform imagination into tangible results, developing new products, processes, and services. This hands-on approach provides invaluable real-world experience, fosters accountability, and equips them to overcome challenges far beyond making a cup of coffee.
Students gain critical skills by:
- Hiring, training, and holding employees accountable for success.
- Developing robust succession plans.
- Evaluating opportunities to launch or close divisions.
- Exploring and adopting new technologies — like AI — for efficiency.
- Providing competitive leadership growth opportunities to deepen skill sets and gain responsibility.
Networking and Employment Opportunities
Throughout the year, Flyer Enterprises employees network with companies to learn about opportunities for internships, as well as full-time positions. We've held events with Pepsi, Plante Moran, Venture for America and many more.
Flyer Enterprises alumni have started their careers at companies such as Apple, Blackrock, EY, Grant Thornton, Google, and Proctor & Gamble.
