Black Rock Coffee to Open 30th Store in Arizona
Black Rock founders Daniel Brand (L) and Jeff Hernandez (R)
Black Rock Coffee Bar, a fast-growing coffee chain that is known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel energy drinks, will open its newest store, a drive-thru-only store, in the Phoenix metro area. Founded in Oregon with more than 100 stores across seven states, Arizona is Black Rock Coffee Bar’s second largest market behind the Northwest. The boutique coffee chain has 30 stores in Arizona with 25 located in the Phoenix metro area.
Located at 2260 W. Glendale Ave., just off Interstate 17, the 800 square-foot- drive-thru-only store is set to open on Friday, Feb. 3. To celebrate its grand opening, Black Rock will offer all customers $2 medium drinks all day at this location as well as other specials throughout the following week.
“In the last two years, we have accelerated our growth in Arizona,” said Jeff Hernandez, co-founder and executive chairman of Black Rock Coffee Bar. “Our plan is to keep going – to open more locations in the Grand Canyon State so that we can continue to serve and connect with the Arizona community, culture, and people. We are thrilled to open a drive-thru only store that is conveniently located off Interstate 17. It’s perfect for people and families on the go.”
With 118 stores across the United States, the popular coffee chain is guided by three principles – coffee, community and connection. Its mission is to be a positive force in the communities it serves.
Founded in 2008 in Portland, an area of the Pacific Northwest known for its coffee excellence, Black Rock Coffee Bar continues its rapid expansion in the West and into the Sunbelt with locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington. The boutique coffee chain recently was named the Fastest Growing Private Company in Oregon and SW Washington in 2021 by the Portland Business Journal. This year, Black Rock Coffee Bar ranked 837th among America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. Magazine’s 5000 Annual List.
The Black Rock culture prides itself on providing opportunities for young people to learn how to lead, run a business, and develop people skills.
Read about how in coffee culture, attitude is everything in the January issue of Gourmet News.
Starbucks to Sell Seattle’s Best Coffee to Nestlé
Starbucks plans to sell the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand to Nestlé, with which the company established the Global Coffee Alliance in 2018. This transaction will further strengthen the Global Coffee Alliance by allowing both companies to focus on their core strengths.
“We continue to deepen our partnership with Nestlé to deliver the best of the Starbucks Experience to our customers in channels outside of our retail stores,” said Michael Conway, group president, Starbucks International and Channel Development. “We’re confident that Nestlé will continue to grow the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand as we focus on our strategy to elevate the premium coffee experience for consumers through the Starbucks brand.”
Since forming the Global Coffee Alliance in 2018, Nestlé and Starbucks have introduced a wide range of premium coffee products to new markets at a fast pace – including whole bean coffee, roast and ground coffee as well as Starbucks capsules for Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce Gusto proprietary systems. Today, Nestlé distributes Starbucks consumer products and foodservice beverages across more than 80 markets outside Starbucks retail stores under the Global Coffee Alliance.
“Our partnership with Starbucks has confirmed Nestlé’s leading position in the dynamic and growing global coffee market,” said David Rennie, head of Nestlé Coffee Brands. “With the well-known Seattle’s Best Coffee brand, we will continue to build our leadership in coffee by offering consumers more choice for their everyday coffee.”
Through the Global Coffee Alliance, Nestlé and Starbucks will continue to closely work together to develop new, innovative products and go-to market strategies to amplify the reach and expand the unique experience of the Starbucks brand locally and globally.
The transaction is expected to close by end of 2022, subject to respective board and customary regulatory approvals. Both companies have agreed to keep the terms of this transaction confidential.
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PRESS Coffee, Sprouts Farmers Market Announce Pilot Specialty Coffee Location
PRESS Coffee and Sprouts Farmers Market have launched a specialty coffee pilot of the first-ever locally owned PRESS Coffee location inside of a Sprouts store. This PRESS location will act as a convenient stop on any person’s weekly shopping trip inside Sprouts located at 3320 N. 7th Avenue in Phoenix.
The new space will feature a workspace area and full drink menu including specialty drip and cold brew coffee, shakers, hot and iced tea and nitro bold brew.
“Growing up in Arizona, I have always been a Sprouts customer,” said PRESS co-owner Jason Kyle. “Seeing the commitment from the Sprouts team to providing a quality experience for the customer makes it a perfect fit for PRESS and our ‘Quality Driven, Community Focused’ effort.’”
“Choosing to partner with the Arizona-based PRESS Coffee was an easy decision,” said Dave McGlinchey, chief strategy officer of Sprouts. “PRESS and Sprouts have a shared mission of providing people fresh, quality, sustainable and ethically sourced specialty products. We are proud to open our first pilot location in the Phoenix community for all to enjoy.”
Roasting, brewing and serving the world’s finest specialty Coffee is the foundation of PRESS Coffee. Rare beans are sourced from select farmers and then roasted at PRESS’ roastery in Phoenix.
Sprouts, headquartered in Phoenix, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
In addition, the pilot location will offer a limited supply of the regular in-store retail items including whole and ground coffee beans. PRESS also offers monthly coffee bean subscriptions shipping locally and throughout the United States with subscribers receiving the option to buy the quarterly Allocation release – a high-end, limited supply specialty coffee, first.
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