The Coffee Experts Club Podcast

SUMMARY: In this lively episode, Ben and Aaron, take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reflecting on their journey scaling Roasters Coffee from five to fifteen locations while managing a spirited team of young employees. They share about the challenges of growth, from corralling 150+ staff to navigating company parties, and dive into a critical topic for coffee shop owners: bringing operations in...

SUMMARY: In this exciting episode , Aaron, Drew, and Ben dive into the thrilling and chaotic experience of opening the first-ever drive-thru coffee shop in Belize,  Coffee De Los Mayas . Fresh off the grand opening, the trio shares a candid recount of the unexpected hurdles they faced, including a critical power meter issue that threatened to derail the event by disabling the espresso machine and...

SUMMARY: Join hosts Ben and Drew in this energetic episode  as they pull back the curtain on the exhilarating chaos of a coffee shop grand opening. Recorded amidst preparations for their third location and second drive-thru in Belize, Ben and Drew share raw, real-world insights into the challenges of launching a new coffee shop. From grappling with last-minute equipment delays to navigating staffi...

SUMMARY: The episode also delves into a practical, brass-tacks discussion on building a sustainable career path for employees. The hosts share their proven strategies for creating a clear, tiered wage structure and incentivizing growth through raises, revenue-sharing, and creative perks like rent assistance or vacation matching. They emphasize the importance of treating employees as your first cus...

SUMMARY: In this episode, the guys  dive into a critical topic for coffee shop owners: how to help your employees envision and plan for their future within your business. They explore the importance of creating a clear, transparent employee journey and roadmap to foster growth, retention, and motivation. From aligning your P&L to reflect accurate cost breakdowns to setting competitive wages in tod...

SUMMARY:   In this episode,  Aaron, Ben, and Drew dive into the critical topic of managing key vendor relationships and knowing when and how to replace them. They explore the challenges of scaling with vendors who may no longer meet your business needs due to rising costs, declining quality, or strained relationships. The discussion emphasizes the importance of intentional decision-making to avoid...

SUMMARY: Join hosts Aaron, Ben and Drew for a lively discussion on the latest trends in the coffee industry and a heated debate about the merits of cafes versus drive-throughs. In this episode, t he conversation turns personal as Aaron and Drew, business partners behind the first drive-through coffee shop in Belize, spar over the value of cafes versus drive-throughs. Drew, a former cafe manager, c...

SUMMARY: In this lively episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast , Aaron and Ben dive into the art of staffing for new coffee shop locations, sharing hard-earned lessons from opening dozens of stores.   With spring bringing a wave of grand openings for their clients, the duo explores how to build a winning team for a new location. They discuss the importance of balancing veteran and new baristas...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Ben and Aron tackle the essential topic of bravery in entrepreneurship, specifically for those venturing into the coffee industry. They explore how fear can be the biggest obstacle to starting a coffee business and share practical strategies to overcome it.   From finding a balanced business partner to setting clear benchmarks and ripcord moments, they discuss how to make...

In this episode: In this episode,  Ben and Aaron explore the vital role of surrounding yourself with skilled professionals to successfully scale a coffee shop business. They discuss the unique challenges faced by fiercely independent coffee shop owners who bootstrap their ventures, celebrating the resilience required while addressing the limitations of going it alone. From hiring a CPA for tax man...

SUMMARY: In this lively episode, Ben and Aaron share their insights on keeping a coffee business vibrant through regular "climate checks." The duo dives into the heart of any successful operation: the people. Ben and Aaron stress that a business isn't just about profit margins or marketing campaigns—it's built on relationships with employees, managers, vendors, and partners, all of whom need consi...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Drew and Ben dive into the essential topic of selecting the right Point of Sale (POS) system for your coffee shop. Whether you're launching a new drive-thru or scaling up with multiple locations, Drew and Ben break down the pros and cons of popular POS systems, with a focus on Square and Toast, to help you make an informed choice.   Drew shares real-world insights on how...

SUMMARY: Join hosts Aaron, Drew, and Ben  as they brew up a lively discussion about the ever-changing seasons of running a coffee business, with a focus on the drive-thru game. Whether you're dreaming of your first stand, bootstrapping a startup, or scaling to multiple locations, the trio shares wisdom from their ventures in the U.S. and Belize. They explore how strategies evolve over time—think o...

SUMMARY: Drew and Aaron dive into the exhilarating, yet challenging world of opening a new coffee shop location. The duo shares their real-time experiences, fresh from the frontlines of their latest build-out. From navigating unexpected airport delays to managing the stresses of construction, they're pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to expand a coffee business.   The duo has opened...

SUMMARY: This week, the trio dives into the power of partnerships. Aaron and Drew, 50/50 partners for three years, unpack the highs and lows of their collaboration, from complementary skill sets to mutual respect that keeps their friendship first and business second. They weigh the pros and cons of partnering with a spouse versus an outside collaborator, offering candid insights on why their dynam...

SUMMARY: In this episode, the team dives into the latest Starbucks headline—1,100 corporate layoffs and a 30% menu reduction—unpacking what it means for the coffee industry at large. The hosts explore how big players like Starbucks are "trimming the fat" post-COVID, cutting non-revenue-generating roles and rethinking operational efficiency amid rising inflation and shifting consumer spending. Tran...

SUMMARY: In this episode we tackle one of the biggest challenges for coffee shop owners—rising costs and how to communicate price increases to customers. With commodities like coffee, milk, syrups, and even cups on the rise, how do you balance profitability while maintaining customer loyalty? Join us as we discuss strategic ways to approach price adjustments, including transparency in messaging, s...

SUMMARY: On this episode, Aaron and Ben dive into one of the biggest cost drivers for coffee shop owners—coffee beans. With green coffee prices surging by over 60% in the last five years, the need to manage costs has never been greater. Aaron and Ben explore why more coffee shop owners should consider roasting their own beans, breaking down the financial benefits, challenges, and long-term control...

SUMMARY: In this episode we dive into a topic that no coffee shop owner likes to talk about—but absolutely should: employee theft, also known as shrink. From giving away free drinks to time theft and inventory mismanagement, small leaks in your business can add up to major losses. Join us as we discuss real-world experiences and proven strategies to minimize theft, improve accountability, and impl...

SUMMARY: In this episode, we dive into Starbucks' recent decision to remove the upcharge for alternative milks and explore the broader implications for coffee businesses. While this move may seem like a simple win for consumers, industry insiders know the real costs behind alternative milk pricing. We break down how Starbucks is likely absorbing and redistributing these costs, the psychology behin...

SUMMARY: Thinking about opening a coffee shop but unsure about the costs? In this episode we dive into one of the most frequently asked questions: How much does it really cost to start a coffee shop? Our hosts, along with industry experts Ben and Drew, break down the numbers—from the price of building a brick-and-mortar café to the more affordable options like coffee carts and mobile setups. We al...

SUMMARY: In this episode we dive into the essential systems that drive successful coffee businesses. Ben and Aaron discuss the power of standardized operations, drawing lessons from franchises like Starbucks while maintaining the independent coffee shop spirit. From streamlining equipment choices to optimizing labor costs and tracking key performance metrics, we explore why having a replicable sys...

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Ben dive deep into the unpredictable world of coffee carts, trailers, and the entrepreneurial journey. From event planning nightmares and wasted product to leveraging risk for growth, they unpack the challenges and opportunities of scaling a coffee business. The guys share personal stories from their early days in coffee, including the highs and lows of running...

SUMMARY: In this episode, we dive deep into the essential art of employee evaluations and their transformative impact on your coffee business. We explore how consistent and structured feedback not only boosts employee morale but also enhances overall performance and retention. Key topics include: The importance of regular evaluations to recognize and retain star employees. Why arbitrary raises and...

SUMMARY: In this inspiring episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast , we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Susan Arredondo, a coffee enthusiast who turned passion into purpose. Starting with a mobile coffee shop in late 2020, she shares how a heart for community service—especially aiding those affected by natural disasters—sparked the idea for a coffee truck designed to serve free, qualit...