Colorado Coffee Chains Are Growing. What’s Driving The Caffeine Boom? – CoffeeTalk
Denver, known for its outdoor lifestyle, proximity to the mountains, craft beer, and 420-friendly vibes, also has a vibrant coffee culture with independent staples like St. Mark’s Coffee House, Crema Coffee, and Convivio Café. These independent shops offer a sense of community, providing a place for remote workers, study sessions, open mics, poetry readings, food trucks, and yoga flows.
The appeal of this market has driven growth for mega-chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’, as well as new java giants like Dutch Bros, 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee, Scooter’s Coffee, and The Human Bean, which are making moves in the Centennial State, alongside local chains such as Ziggi’s Coffee, Novo Coffee, and Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. At 20.5 cafes per every 100,000 residents, Denver has 63% more coffee shops per capita than the average city, according to data from Clever Real Estate.
The growth behind Denver’s coffee boom is driven by the fact that there is enough room for everyone, with 60% of people drinking coffee. This aligns with data from the National Coffee Association, which indicated that 61% of Americans consumed traditional coffee in the past week.
Competition in the coffee space intensified even more during COVID when the entire world overnight needed a drive-thru. Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, believes that there is plenty of room in the market, as coffee is probably the number one habit out there. He believes that tapping into consumers’ preferences and delivering exceptional experiences is what is most important to success.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii moved its corporate headquarters to Colorado in 2019 and is planning an expansion here. The youthful and adventurous population and business-friendly environment make Colorado an attractive place for both in- and out-of-state-brands. Colorado has always been a destination for entrepreneurs and people that want to try new things, making it an attractive place for businesses.
From the newly-opened independent coffee shop’s perspective, the caffeine competition can be overwhelming. Marisol Jurado, owner of the recently opened Migas Coffee, said that there’s a coffee shop on every corner, especially in Five Points. She and business partner Alex Merriex specifically opened Migas in Five Points, a historically black neighborhood, to create space for the BIPOC community in a rapidly gentrifying area. Heather McCullough, director of operations at the Denver-based Novo Coffee, also acknowledged the importance of intentional growth. Novo has six open outposts throughout metro Denver, recently opened a second kiosk in Denver International Airport, and is working on a new shop in Congress Park and an upcoming collaboration in Five Points.
Ultimately, the key to success in Colorado specifically is excellent service. Coloradans want variety and a strong point of differentiation, and Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii sets itself apart through its experiential brand, ohana (family) and decor. While many brands will continue to come to Colorado, it is unlikely that all will succeed due to Coloradans’ desire for great service.
Read More @ The Denver Post
Source: Coffee Talk