
“We always choose products not based on price but based on quality,” Hawkins says. The Human Bean prides itself on sourcing responsibly and blending its beans creatively to produce many different origins, blends and roasts. The company was noted for its Farm Friendly Direct coffee sourcing program that encourages environmentally sustainable growing, harvesting and processing methods.īeans are sourced from Africa, Latin America or Asia. 2 in the specialty coffee world behind Dunkin’ Donuts. 157 in its Top 500 franchiser list in 2017, and it ranked No. Entrepreneur magazine ranked Human Bean No. The company’s success has not gone unrecognized in the industry. Today, the company sells roughly 400,000 pounds of coffee on an annual basis and rakes in roughly $45 million in revenue, which Hawkins expects to increase from 25 percent to 35 percent by next year. Their brand became successful within the first few years, leading them to start franchising in 2002. Dan and his wife, Rhonda Hawkins, teamed up with his high school buddy, Tom Casey, and his wife, Tami, in pursuit of the java dream. The Human Bean brewed its first cup of joe as a result of friendship. “Also it’s a function of convenience if someone doesn’t have their wallet. “Our customers will earn discount dollars to spend at a future date,” Hawkins adds. The app will allow customers to pay with their phone and receive loyalty points that will lead to rewards and discounts.

It allows for specific tracking for each category of product.Īdditionally, the barista chain is also developing an app for its customers that it hopes to launch this year. It’s a cloud-based system that allows franchisees to have up-to-the-minute sales data and features a reporting tool. To further aid its franchisees, The Human Bean recently deployed a new POS system. Classroom and hands-on drive-thru training focus on procedures that range from customer service and machine maintenance to drink production and inventory control. Training consists of three weeks at the company’s training facility and corporate stores in southern Oregon. An average double-sided drive-thru with walkup is roughly 500 square feet. The initial investment, including build-out costs, is around $400,000 depending on location. They will also be charged a renewal fee of $1,000 every 10 years. Potential franchisees must have at least $150,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of $250,000. We believe the more successful they are the more locations they will add and that helps us.” “Our franchisees roll up their sleeves and do the majority of the lifting so we want to reward them as much as possible,” Hawkins says. It earns its revenues from bulk sales of coffee and other supplies ordered by its franchised locations. Though standard in the franchising industry, The Human Bean does not charge a percentage-of-sales royalty or marketing fees. The family-run barista chain charges a $20,000 franchising fee per location. “Our goal is to be at 75 total locations by the end of this year, 100 by next year.” “We’ve got lots of potential franchisee interest,” Hawkins says. The drive-thru has carved itself a large chunk out of the franchise market, with 53 of its locations being franchises. There must be something to his philosophy because The Human Bean has grown from a single drive-thru espresso stand in Ashland, Ore., to 68 locations in 11 states since its inception in 1998.

“It’s about being part of a larger community all the way from our suppliers and farmers, all the way down to our customers.” “The name of our company is about personal service,” he says. But he also thinks that they want their brew with a personal touch. In a busy universe fueled by caffeine, he understands that Americans demand their mochas and lattes first thing in the morning – and fast. So many blends, so little time.Īs one of the founders of The Human Bean, a Medford, Ore.-based drive-thru coffee franchisor, he believes that coffee and human beings are like two beans in pod. There’s Columbian, Costa Rican and even a blend from Tanzania.
HUMAN BEAN HOW TO
When it comes to coffee, he knows how to espresso himself. The Human Bean coffee drive-thru is expanding its franchise business.ĭan Hawkins takes life one cup at time.
