The Broken Mug Coffee Shop in Columbus, Nebraska Celebrates Five Years of Success with Support from Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

As The Broken Mug coffee shop in Columbus, Nebraska prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary on April 21, Owner Mandy Tuls reflected on the independent coffee shop’s growth and its relationship with coffee partner Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea. Mandy and her husband Todd learned how to open a coffee shop through Crimson Cup’s 7 Steps to Success coffee shop start-up program.

“Congratulations to Mandy and Todd!” said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. “It’s been a privilege to guide them from startup through their continuing success, and we look forward to supporting their future growth.” 7 Steps coffee shop startup consultants guide new coffee shop owners in developing a coffee shop business plan and assist with site evaluation, on-site training, marketing materials, menu ideas, and more.

Since opening five years ago, The Broken Mug has become a gathering place for local coffee lovers. “We are the only locally owned coffee shop in Columbus,” Mandy said. “I listened to 7 Steps project manager and trainer Steve Bayless when he said start off simple.” Mandy said. “You can have a couple of bakery items, but focus on the drinks first and make sure you are consistent and comfortable before adding other items to your menu.” In just five years, The Broken Mug has evolved significantly in response to customer needs. “Molding to what your community wants is key,” Mandy said. “Two years ago, we added delivery. A year ago, we added a drive-thru because that’s what our community needed during Covid.”

Mandy enjoys the freedom of making decisions on her own. Asked for advice to others, Mandy said: “Don’t overthink it. Just do it! Crimson Cup is always there to help with all aspects of my business from start-up, hiring, adjusting my prices through the years, equipment, and any other questions. They start you on a path that will deliver success as long as you follow what they say,” she added. “I did and look at me now! I’m opening my third location in March 2023, and I won’t need a business loan to complete it.”

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is a 2020 Good Food Award winner, 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazine’s 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year. Since 1991, Crimson Cup has roasted sustainably sourced craft coffee for consumers and wholesale coffee customers. Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs to run independent coffeehouses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into how much it costs to open a coffee shop.

Crimson Cup coffee is available at over 350 independent coffeehouses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam, and Bangladesh. The company also operates several Crimson Cup coffee shops and a new CRIMSON retail flagship store.