86. Is There Ever a Good Time to Open a Cafe?
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
Release Date: 05/21/2025
95. How to Stop Running Your Coffee Shop Like Your Hair's on Fire!
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: In this episode of the Coffee Experts Club Podcast, the team dives into the chaos many coffee shop owners experience and how to escape it. If you're constantly putting out fires, drowning in to-dos, and losing weekends to burnout, this episode is for you. Aaron, Ben, and Drew talk about how to step out of the weeds, empower your team, and use systems like weekly Level 10 meetings to regain your time—and your sanity. Whether you're just starting out or trying to scale, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to help your coffee business grow without you having to be everywhere at...
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94. Is Your Profit Walking Out the Back Door? How to Avoid Shrink
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: In this candid and practical episode, Aaron and Ben tackle one of the most underestimated profit drains in the coffee business: shrink. Whether it’s untracked employee perks, casual waste, or outright theft, many operators are unknowingly letting thousands of dollars slip through the cracks. The duo discusses how even small, rationalized actions—like grabbing a Red Bull or giving away a drink—can snowball into massive losses across multiple locations. They share real-life examples, easy-to-implement inventory tracking strategies, and ways to turn losses into measurable wins. If...
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93. Conquering Coffee Shop Equipment Challenges
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: Join the whole crew as Aaron, Drew, and Ben dive into the challenges and triumphs of coffee shop grand openings, with a focus on navigating technology and equipment hurdles. Recorded on the 4th of July, the team discusses the importance of staying open on holidays, the realities of managing espresso machines, and the lessons learned from opening their third drive-thru coffee shop in Belize. From duct-tape fixes to mastering preventative maintenance, they share practical tips for coffee shop owners on handling technical issues, choosing the right equipment, and preparing for a...
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92. How and When to Bring Production In-House to Boost Profits
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: In this lively episode, Ben and Aaron, take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reflecting on their journey scaling Roasters Coffee from five to fifteen locations while managing a spirited team of young employees. They share about the challenges of growth, from corralling 150+ staff to navigating company parties, and dive into a critical topic for coffee shop owners: bringing operations in-house to slash costs and boost profits. With their signature blend of humor and expertise, Ben and Aaron explore how to identify cost-saving opportunities, like crafting proprietary syrups,...
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91. Grand Opening and How They Teach You that You Don't Know Everything
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: In this exciting episode, Aaron, Drew, and Ben dive into the thrilling and chaotic experience of opening the first-ever drive-thru coffee shop in Belize, Coffee De Los Mayas. Fresh off the grand opening, the trio shares a candid recount of the unexpected hurdles they faced, including a critical power meter issue that threatened to derail the event by disabling the espresso machine and air conditioning in the tropical heat. With hundreds of customers expected, the team pivoted to an all-iced and blended drink menu, a decision that led to an astonishing 1,100 cups served and...
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90. Lessons Learned for Your Next Grand Opening
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: Join hosts Ben and Drew in this energetic episode as they pull back the curtain on the exhilarating chaos of a coffee shop grand opening. Recorded amidst preparations for their third location and second drive-thru in Belize, Ben and Drew share raw, real-world insights into the challenges of launching a new coffee shop. From grappling with last-minute equipment delays to navigating staffing hurdles and crafting an unforgettable customer experience, they reveal the intricate planning required to make a grand opening shine. Perfect for aspiring coffee entrepreneurs, this episode...
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89. How to Help Your Employees See the Future Part 2: Incentives and Plans
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: The episode also delves into a practical, brass-tacks discussion on building a sustainable career path for employees. The hosts share their proven strategies for creating a clear, tiered wage structure and incentivizing growth through raises, revenue-sharing, and creative perks like rent assistance or vacation matching. They emphasize the importance of treating employees as your first customers, casting a vision for their future, and fostering loyalty by showing them a clear path to success within your company. Whether you’re dreaming of opening your first drive-thru coffee...
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88. How to Help Your Employees See the Future
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: In this episode, the guys dive into a critical topic for coffee shop owners: how to help your employees envision and plan for their future within your business. They explore the importance of creating a clear, transparent employee journey and roadmap to foster growth, retention, and motivation. From aligning your P&L to reflect accurate cost breakdowns to setting competitive wages in today’s labor market, the discussion highlights practical strategies for building systems that empower your team. Drew and Ben share insights from their experience at Roasters,...
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87. Key Vendors - When and How to Replace Them
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron, Ben, and Drew dive into the critical topic of managing key vendor relationships and knowing when and how to replace them. They explore the challenges of scaling with vendors who may no longer meet your business needs due to rising costs, declining quality, or strained relationships. The discussion emphasizes the importance of intentional decision-making to avoid chaos when switching vendors, highlighting the risks of knee-jerk reactions and the "unknown evils" of new partnerships. Key points include regularly reviewing vendor costs (every six...
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86. Is There Ever a Good Time to Open a Cafe?
The Coffee Experts Club Podcast
SUMMARY: Join hosts Aaron, Ben and Drew for a lively discussion on the latest trends in the coffee industry and a heated debate about the merits of cafes versus drive-throughs. In this episode, the conversation turns personal as Aaron and Drew, business partners behind the first drive-through coffee shop in Belize, spar over the value of cafes versus drive-throughs. Drew, a former cafe manager, champions the community and relational benefits of cafes, sharing stories of customer connections and intangible brand loyalty. Aaron counters with a financial perspective, highlighting the efficiency,...
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- Coffee Experts Academy: 35 modules of in-depth coffee shop business training at coffeeexpertsacademy.com
- My First Drive Through: Free masterclass on launching a drive-through coffee business at myfirstdrivethru.coffee
0:00 introduction
2:53 What Starbucks is up to lately
5:04 Drive thru vs cafe
9:44 Whey Ben agrees with both drive-thru and cafe
14:53 We would never justify a cafe without a drive-thru
19:38 The reason to shoot for 3 or 4 drive-thrus