The Full-Circle Journey Behind Crema Gourmet's New FIU Café
Jul 2, 2026
Four fraternity brothers met at FIU. Decades later they opened a Crema on campus. World Red Eye told the story.
Featured in: WORLD RED EYE
Ruben Correa wrote up the FIU opening for World Red Eye on July 2, 2026, and led with the part that matters most:
"Some journeys come full circle, and for the franchisees of Crema Gourmet, that circle led them back to where it all began."
Crema opened on Florida International University's campus on June 25, 2026. The four franchisees behind it — Angel Sanchez, Manny Vadillo, Danny Mugnai and Julio Almeyda — met as FIU students and brothers in Sigma Phi Epsilon, years before any of them were in the coffee business. Crema founder Yiannis Sotiropoulos was there for the opening.
The celebration brought a ribbon-cutting with Mayor Jose "Pepe" Diaz, appearances by Roary the FIU mascot, giveaways, and the chance for one guest to win free coffee for a year. The location brings "specialty coffee, matcha, smoothies, all-day breakfast, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and grab-and-go offerings" to students, faculty and visitors.