{"id":72428,"date":"2026-06-04T17:03:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T21:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=72428"},"modified":"2026-06-04T17:05:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T21:05:22","slug":"sambazon-friedman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/","title":{"rendered":"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">A Class of \u201919 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls and smoothies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>Melissa Newcomb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Among the many dining options at Atlanta\u2019s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport\u2014the world\u2019s busiest, with more than 108 million annual passengers\u2014is an eye-catching storefront where the mounds of strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, and other fruits create a dramatic burst of color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s an outpost of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sambazon.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sambazon<\/a>, which sells health-conscious offerings like a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls topped with fruit, granola, and nuts, as well as smoothies and energy drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignwide has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"72427\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A bright yellow mango smoothie in a SAMBAZON cup with pineapples and mangos around the cup.\" class=\"wp-image-72427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-632x790.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-316x395.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-280x350.jpg 280w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-140x175.jpg 140w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-70x87.jpg 70w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-400x500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-200x250.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A-100x125.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-4-1-A.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"72426\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"An overhead view of four acai bowls with fruit, granola, coconut, and other toppings on them and around the bowls.\" class=\"wp-image-72426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-632x790.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-316x395.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-280x350.jpg 280w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-140x175.jpg 140w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-70x87.jpg 70w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-400x500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-200x250.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A-100x125.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/SAMBAZON-Best-Food-Photos-2-A.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Sambazon makes smoothies, a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls, and more.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The quick-service restaurants can also be found in numerous other airports, on college campuses, and even in a Major League Baseball park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And one of the creative minds at their helm is Hotelie Amanda Friedman \u201919, who helped turn Sambazon from a single, underperforming store near San Diego into a thriving chain\u2014popular on social media, and with more than a dozen locations nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>Friedman has helped turn Sambazon from a single, underperforming store near San Diego into a thriving chain.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople want that healthy product,\u201d says Friedman of the a\u00e7a\u00ed\u2014a dark purple berry, rich in antioxidants, that\u2019s frozen and pur\u00e9ed to form the basis of bowls and smoothies. \u201cThey want something that\u2019s delicious with fresh fruit instead of a prepackaged sandwich or a salad in a plastic box. Plus, it\u2019s very Instagrammable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"The SAMBAZON acai store instead John Wayne airport in Orange County, CA.\" class=\"wp-image-72422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-John-Wayne-Airport-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">At John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Friedman serves as director of design and development for the restaurants, whose other locations include MLB\u2019s Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres); the University of Connecticut and UCLA; and airports in Miami, Orlando, Dallas\u2013Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, and Toronto, its first international spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>People want that healthy product. They want something that\u2019s delicious with fresh fruit instead of a prepackaged sandwich or a salad in a plastic box.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEverything that the customer sees, touches, hears, and feels while they\u2019re in the store\u2014that is me,\u201d says Friedman, who\u2019s based in Orlando, FL. \u201cOne of my favorite parts of the job is just traveling casually through an airport and seeing Sambazon. I say to myself, \u2018Oh my God, that\u2019s my store.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"The counter at a SAMBAZON store, featuring containers of strawberries, blueberries, and mangoes as well as a pile of banana and dry toppings including granola.\" class=\"wp-image-72423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-1-SAMBAZON-Perfect-Bowl-Counter-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Friedman designed the counter space inside all the stores.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sambazon is short for Sustainable Management of the Brazilian Amazon\u2014a nod to the source of the chain\u2019s flagship ingredient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Friedman explains, the a\u00e7a\u00ed is hand-harvested by local farmers, who climb the slender palm trees and cut down clusters of berries. The fruit is then transported on the Amazon River to one of Sambazon\u2019s two processing facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>One of my favorite parts of the job is just traveling casually through an airport and seeing Sambazon. I say to myself, \u2018Oh my God, that\u2019s my store.&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to supplying its restaurants, the company also sells bulk a\u00e7a\u00ed to major chains such as Tropical Smoothie Caf\u00e9 and Joe &amp; the Juice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its own line of frozen a\u00e7a\u00ed products is carried by grocery stores including Costco, Whole Foods, and Publix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Amanda Friedman smiles for a photo with Touchdown.\" class=\"wp-image-72421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-HEC-with-Touchdown-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With Touchdown at Hotel Ezra Cornell &#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Amanda Friedman at commencement in her regalia with Professor Bruce Tracey.\" class=\"wp-image-72424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-5-Professor-Bruce-Tracey_crop-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8230; and with Prof. Bruce Tracey at Commencement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But Friedman\u2019s focus is on Sambazon\u2019s growing chain of in-person eateries\u2014including seven new airport locations expected to open by July 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe pride ourselves on the \u2018food theater\u2019 experience: the fresh fruits, the dry toppings like granola\u2014it\u2019s all right on the counter,\u201d she says. \u201cEven the prep of washing and cutting the fruit is done in front of the customer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We pride ourselves on the \u2018food theater\u2019 experience: the fresh fruits, the dry toppings like granola\u2014it\u2019s all right on the counter.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Friedman\u2019s passion for hospitality and customer service was sparked at an early age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a family legend has it: as a child visiting Walt Disney World, she walked into the swanky Grand Floridian resort toting a Mickey Mouse balloon, marched up to the front desk, and asked how she could get a job there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"954\" height=\"537\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A.jpg\" alt=\"Amanda Friedman and her sister ride a merry-go-round at Disney as kids.\" class=\"wp-image-72420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A.jpg 954w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Amanda-Disney-Child-A-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 954px) 100vw, 954px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Friedman (far right) during a childhood trip to Disney World.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat magic touch stays with you forever,\u201d she says of giving customers the best possible experience. \u201cAnd now I\u2019m hooked on it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top: Friedman in the Sambazon on the campus of Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL. (All photos provided.) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Published June 4, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Class of \u201919 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls and smoothies<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":72425,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[229],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-72428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You - Cornellians | Cornell University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Class of \u201919 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls and smoothies\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You - Cornellians | Cornell University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A Class of \u201919 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls and smoothies\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cornellians | Cornell University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Cornellians\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-04T21:03:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-04T21:05:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Beth Saulnier\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@WeCornellians\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@WeCornellians\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Beth Saulnier\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Beth Saulnier\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100\"},\"headline\":\"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-04T21:03:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-04T21:05:22+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":737,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Alumni\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/\",\"name\":\"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You - Cornellians | Cornell University\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-04T21:03:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-04T21:05:22+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100\"},\"description\":\"A Class of \u201919 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls and smoothies\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":900,\"caption\":\"Amanda Friedman smiles in front of the counter at a SAMBAZON restaurant.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/sambazon-friedman\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/\",\"name\":\"Cornellians | Cornell University\",\"description\":\"Cornell&#039;s alumni publication\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100\",\"name\":\"Beth Saulnier\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Beth Saulnier\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/author\\\/ess8\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You - Cornellians | Cornell University","description":"A Class of \u201919 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls and smoothies","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You - Cornellians | Cornell University","og_description":"A Class of \u201919 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls and smoothies","og_url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/","og_site_name":"Cornellians | Cornell University","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Cornellians","article_published_time":"2026-06-04T21:03:44+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-04T21:05:22+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":900,"url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Beth Saulnier","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@WeCornellians","twitter_site":"@WeCornellians","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Beth Saulnier","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/"},"author":{"name":"Beth Saulnier","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100"},"headline":"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You","datePublished":"2026-06-04T21:03:44+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-04T21:05:22+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/"},"wordCount":737,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg","articleSection":["Alumni"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/","name":"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You - Cornellians | Cornell University","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-04T21:03:44+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-04T21:05:22+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100"},"description":"A Class of \u201919 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its a\u00e7a\u00ed bowls and smoothies","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Q-HERO-1-Amanda-At-Nova-Southeastern-SAMBAZON-A.jpg","width":1600,"height":900,"caption":"Amanda Friedman smiles in front of the counter at a SAMBAZON restaurant."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/sambazon-friedman\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"This Hotelie is Bringing a \u2018Superfruit\u2019 to an Airport (or Campus) Near You"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#website","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/","name":"Cornellians | Cornell University","description":"Cornell&#039;s alumni publication","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100","name":"Beth Saulnier","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Beth Saulnier"},"url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/author\/ess8\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET","POST","PUT","PATCH","DELETE"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72428"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72503,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72428\/revisions\/72503"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72428"},{"taxonomy":"cornell_year_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cornell_year_post?post=72428"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=72428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}