The Coffee Experts Club Podcast

SUMMARY:   In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast , the team dives into the inevitable pre-launch jitters that come with starting a new coffee shop—even for seasoned professionals. Whether it's your first location or your 50th, the nerves never truly go away, but they don't have to hold you back. We share insights on effective advertising strategies, the importance of standout signage,...

SUMMARY: In this episode we dive deep into the pricing strategies that help coffee shops thrive, even in a challenging economic landscape. Aaron, Ben and Drew tackle the big question every coffee shop owner faces: "Are our prices still the right prices?" From minimum wage hikes to fluctuating ingredient costs, they discuss why regular pricing evaluations are essential and how to decide which drink...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast , we dive into the world of bootstrapping a coffee business and making your dream a reality. The guys share insights on the approachability of starting out in coffee, where minimal overhead and creative solutions make it possible to launch with limited resources. We discuss ways to find the perfect location, manage equipment costs, and le...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club , we're thrilled to introduce Meleni Cruz, owner of Press Coffee House in Battle Mountain, Nevada—a unique coffee spot that blends small-town charm with big-city coffee quality. Aaron stumbled upon this hidden gem on a road trip and was immediately captivated by Meleni's passion and expertise. Meleni shares her journey from working as a barista t...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast , we dive into the inevitable challenges and growth opportunities that come with competition in the coffee industry. When a rival opens across the street, it's easy to feel defensive, but thriving businesses use competition as motivation for excellence. Today, we discuss how staying on top in a competitive landscape means honing your bran...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club , our hosts dive deep into a critical aspect of coffee stand operations: drive-thru speed and its impact on profitability. While many shops prioritize customer engagement, the hosts emphasize that if drive-thru times lag, even the best customer service or product quality won't keep customers from leaving the line. They share personal experiences...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast , Ben and Drew dive deep into the challenges of scaling a coffee business and the importance of having a clear roadmap for both financial growth and employee development. They discuss the critical metrics to consider when expanding from one store to multiple locations and the complexities that come with managing a growing team. Ben and Dr...

SUMMARY: In this episode of  The Coffee Experts Club , we dive into the evolution of coffee shop inventory management and how smart systems can dramatically improve efficiency and profitability. Hosts Aaron, Ben and Drew discuss the journey from old-school, manual ordering methods to streamlined, data-driven systems that help managers make smarter decisions. Learn how their Google Sheets-based too...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club , the experts dive even deeper on last week's discussion: understanding your numbers and using them to run a profitable business. Aaron, Ben, and Drew share their experiences with navigating financial challenges in the coffee industry, from the anxiety of managing by bank account balance to developing systems for solid financial tracking. They di...

SUMMARY: In this essential episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast, we dive into the crucial, yet often overlooked topic of profitability. It may not be the flashiest subject, but it's the one every coffee shop owner must understand to ensure the long-term success of their business. Ben and Aaron discuss why knowing your numbers is the key to avoiding financial pitfalls and share real-life stor...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast, hosts Ben, Drew, and Aaron discuss the innovative strategies they've used to drive customer engagement and sales at their coffee shops, particularly in Belize. They share how they've adapted to a tech-limited environment by leveraging WhatsApp for marketing, building community-driven initiatives, and creating spontaneous, buzz-worthy pro...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club, the team welcomes back Jonathan Maiers to dive into the challenges and unexpected opportunities that arise when expanding a coffee business. Jonathan shares his journey of opening a second location for his coffee shop in Great Falls, Montana—a decision that came about quite unexpectedly. He explains how he stumbled upon a vacant drive-thru space...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most critical aspects of running a successful coffee shop: people management. Join us as Ben and Drew, seasoned coffee shop operators, share their experiences and strategies on how to build, train, and retain a stellar team that aligns with your company's ethos and culture. With a combined experience of manag...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast , we dive into one of the most critical decisions for any coffee business: selecting the right location. Whether you're dreaming of opening your first shop or expanding to a new site, our hosts share valuable insights on what to look for—and what to avoid. We discuss common pitfalls, like choosing a spot with poor visibility, heavy traffi...

SUMMARY: In this episode the guys dive into the evolving landscape of the coffee industry, exploring the growing competition from unconventional rivals like McDonald's new sub-brand, Cosmc's. The conversation covers the rise of alternative beverage shops that are expanding beyond traditional coffee offerings to include energy drinks, specialty sodas, and more. The hosts discuss the concept of the...

SUMMARY: In this episode Aaron, Ben, and Drew sit down with Clay Weigand, a passionate coffee entrepreneur with an inspiring journey. Clay shares his story, starting as a 16-year-old at Dutch Bros, where he developed a deep appreciation for customer service and coffee culture. He recalls his nights on the graveyard shift, where his curiosity led him to dismantle coffee machines, dreaming of one da...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast, hosts Aaron, Ben, and Drew delve into the critical importance of focus and specialization in the coffee and restaurant industries. Using In-N-Out Burger as a prime example, they discuss the benefits of limiting menu options to excel in quality and customer satisfaction. The conversation explores the pitfalls of diversifying too broadly,...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast, we revisit our insightful conversation with Derek Tonn, Vice President at Black Rock Coffee. Derek offered a rare glimpse into the operational strategies of a large coffee chain with over 100 locations. He shared invaluable lessons on scaling business operations, particularly in the context of technology upgrades, such as the challenges...

SUMMARY: In this insightful episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast, hosts Aaron, Ben, and Drew sit down with Derek Tonn, CEO of Black Rock Coffee, to delve into the complexities of upgrading a point of sale (POS) system across over 100 locations. Derek shares the journey of moving from a limited POS system to Revel Systems, an iPad-based, cloud POS with an open API, enabling seamless integrati...

SUMMARY: This week the guys reflect on their engaging interview with industry veterans Paul Tostberg and Andrew Schmunk. Dive deep into the unique dynamics of running a coffee shop in a college town, where the seasonal ebb and flow of students creates both challenges and opportunities. The hosts share their experiences and lessons learned from managing a predominantly young workforce, the importan...

SUMMARY: In this episode, hosts Aaron and Ben dive into an insightful conversation with Andrew Schmunk and Paul Tostberg from Coffee Culture, highlighting the unique dynamics of running a coffee shop in a bustling college town. Paul and Andrew share how the presence of a large student population influenced their decision to establish Coffee Culture in Corvallis, emphasizing the importance of adapt...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast, hosts Aaron and Ben revisit their enlightening conversation with Brandon Eastman from Bentley's Coffee, featured in the previous episode. Brandon, who operates five locations across Albany and Salem in the heart of Oregon, shared invaluable insights on carving out a unique identity in the highly saturated Pacific Northwest coffee market....

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club Podcast, Aaron, Ben, and Drew sit down with Brandon Eastman, the innovative mind behind Bentley's Coffee. Brandon's journey from a Dutch Bros franchisee to creating his own unique brand is nothing short of inspiring. Situated in mid-level Oregon, just south of Portland, Bentley's Coffee has not only expanded to multiple locations but has also cul...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club, hosts Ben and Drew reflect on their recent interview with Cody Anderson, founder of Houdini Coffee Roasters and a longtime friend. They delve into Cody's inspiring journey from roasting for Black Rock Coffee to starting his own company. Ben and Drew discuss Cody's career evolution, highlighting his transition from working at Ethos Bakery and Cof...

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Coffee Experts Club, Aaron, Ben, and Drew sit down with Cody Anderson, the founder of Houdini Coffee Roasters. Cody shares his inspiring journey from a passionate coffee enthusiast to a business owner carving out his niche in the competitive world of coffee roasting. Cody details the multi-faceted nature of his business, which goes beyond just roasting exceptional c...