Fresh Flavor: Four Alumni Contribute to Campus Community with New Café Near MMC
Jun 29, 2026
FIU News told the founders'' story in their own words. "I wouldn''t be here today if it wasn''t for the network of people that I met at FIU."
Featured in: FIU NEWS
Cristina Rosell wrote about the new location for FIU News on June 29, 2026, and opened it about as well as it can be opened: "Affogatos and friendship. Gourmet sandwiches and Panther Pride."
Angel Sanchez ('99), Danny Mugnai ('02), Manny Vadillo ('98) and Julio Almeyda ('99) opened the location at 795 SW 110th Avenue in Sweetwater, on the ground floor of an off-campus housing tower across from the Modesto Maidique Campus. Between them they own six Crema Gourmet franchises. Sanchez became a franchisee in 2021, and when the chance to expand came, "I invited my college best friends."
What they said:
"We think it's absolutely amazing what FIU and its leadership have done over the last two decades. We are so proud to be alumni." — Angel Sanchez, who grew up in Sweetwater
"I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the network of people that I met at FIU." — Angel Sanchez
"We went to FIU. We didn't have a choice. Hopefully, this will create another place for [current students] to come study and to eat and to build the same camaraderie that we had when we were students." — Danny Mugnai
"To be able to come back and build something across from FIU, for FIU — there's nothing better. Golden Panther for life." — Manny Vadillo
And the part that matters most, from the students who showed up:
"I'm on campus for so many hours, so it's nice to have a little escape that's very cozy." — Lissette Martinez, nursing student