Specialty Coffee

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN THE
WORLD OF SPECIALTY COFFEE

The specialty coffee industry was born way before Starbuck’s entered the scene in the early 90’s. It was during the mid 70’s that this industry erupted from an entrepreneur with a great idea.

According to A.C. Nielsen, sales of specialty coffee now come to just under $3.5 billion. In addition, The National Coffee Association of the USA reports that gourmet coffee drinkers have increased to 14% of the total U.S population, which means almost 29 million now indulge.

The Specialty Coffee Association reported that sales of specialty coffee grew 38% in 2003. It is clear this growth is fueled by a growing customer base. But there is more to this flourishing industry than just people liking a good cup of coffee.

Customers who frequent locations like The Coffee Beanery, the Flushing, MI. based franchisor of 200 units, often call themselves “road warriors”. They utilize specialty coffee stores as a place to meet friends or clients, kill time between meetings and catch up on paperwork when on the road. They find a safe, comfortable environment where they can relax, enjoy their coffee and gather their thoughts and materials before moving on to their next commitment.

Currently, gourmet coffee shops are popping up on every street corner and in almost every urban and suburban area of the country. Since the inception of this industry, it’s more than just coffee that is being served. Items such as muffins and pastries were first introduced. Lately, it is everything from salads to sandwiches to low-carb wraps. This is one industry that continues to grow and seems to know no limits.

To learn more about the fascinating history of coffee please visit:
http://www.coffeebeanery.com/coffee/default.htm or http://www.scaa.org

To learn more about The Coffee Beanery please visit www.coffeebeanery.com

Bio:

Joanne Shaw

The Coffee Beanery has a powerful marketing advantage in its founder and president, JoAnne Shaw. Her involvement in the worldwide coffee industry and her extensive public relations efforts give The Coffee Beanery and its franchisees national press exposure and stature.

JoAnne is a key player in both the coffee and franchising worlds. In 1985, The Coffee Beanery had eight retail stores and began offering franchise opportunities. Since then, the company has expanded to nearly 200 locations in 32 states and Guam. The company became international in 2001 with the opening of a master franchise in Seoul, Korea. In 2002, Coffee Beanery opened in Chengdu, China, and will soon be opening in UAE, Bahrain and Dubai.

JoAnne’s professional affiliations include:

Past President, Specialty Coffee Association of America
Past Chairman, International Franchise Association
Past Chairman, Education Committee of the International Franchise Association
Past Chairman, Coffee Development Group’s College Coffee House Task Force
Past Board of Directors Member, Coffee Development Group
Advisory Board Member, Entrepreneur magazine
Member, National Retailer’s Federation
Member, International Council of Shopping Centers
Member, National Coffee Service Association
Board Member, the Dale Carnegie Corporation
Board Member, Genesys Health System

In demand as a public speaker, writer, panelist and board member, JoAnne seizes every opportunity to enhance The Coffee Beanery’s image and sales. She was a featured speaker at the World Coffee Symposium in Vienna in 1994 and 1997, and a panelist speaker at the same annual conference in Venice in 1995. Featured speaker at the first Franchise Exposition in China in 2000.

JoAnne has received a number of honors and awards for her work on behalf of The Coffee Beanery and as a trailblazing female entrepreneur:

First woman to chair the International Franchise Association Board of Directors
First recipient of the Bonny Levine Award, given by the International Franchise Association to an individual who has served as a mentor to women
Entrepreneur of the Year in Michigan, 1991
Finalist, Inc. magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year, 1989 and 1990
Lifetime Member, Entrepreneurial Institute
Honorary doctoral degree in management, Kettering University, Flint, Mich.