Is Owning a Coffee Shop Right for You?
February 15, 2023 (Published: February 8, 2012)Thinking of opening a coffee shop? If you love coffee and get energized by making others feel energized, owning a coffee shop might be the right business for you. You can serve the best-tasting specialty drinks in town and create the community gathering place that everyone talks about. Best of all, you can go home […]
The Un-Franchise for Coffee Shops
May 10, 2022 (Published: January 20, 2012)Remember 7up’s “Uncola” commercials of the 1970s? They positioned 7up as being different and daring, an upstart boldly challenging the cola establishment. At Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, we consider ourselves to be the un-franchise of the coffee shop world. Here are a few reasons why: Coffee shop franchises charge fees (often enormous fees) for […]
New Year, New Coffee Shop?
April 28, 2023 (Published: January 10, 2012)Ever dream of opening a coffee shop? The beginning of a new year offers a perfect opportunity to start planning! With the right support, you could be profiting from energizing espressos and luscious lattes before the year is through. Each week, we’ll explore different aspects of running an independent coffee shop. We’ll go over fundamental […]
Zagat Names Top 10 ‘Coolest’ Independent Coffee Shops
October 3, 2012 (Published: January 4, 2012)At Crimson Cup, we’re all about independents. So we were pleased to learn that restaurant reviewer Zagat had published a list of the Ten Coolest Independent Coffee Shops Across the U.S. Independent coffee shops are an indispensable part of their communities, offering a local flavor that franchises just can’t replicate. As Zagat noted, “(independents) focus […]
Beyond Fair Trade
January 27, 2023 (Published: December 23, 2011)Grower’s First Foundation Advisor Glenn Parrish asked “Is Fair Good Enough?” in a recent Stanford Social Innovation Review article that reviewed the success of Fair Trade in lifting indigenous farmers out of poverty. Crimson Cup started carrying Fair Trade organic coffees more than 10 years ago. We really liked the concept of improving the lives […]
New Edition of Seven Steps to Success in the Specialty Coffee Industry
November 7, 2022 (Published: December 22, 2011)Thinking of starting a coffee shop? Check out the second edition of 7 Steps to Success in the Specialty Coffee Industry, written by Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. Backed by more than 30 years of specialty coffee industry experience, the Seven Steps to Coffee Shop Startup Success franchise alternative program offers a proven system […]