The landscape of specialty coffee has been influenced by many people and companies over the last few decades. The foundations of the standards and methods we use now, at one time, were merely ideas waiting for someone to put them into action. In the class of companies operators that have championed that exploration one of the most influential was Intelligentsia Coffee under the leadership of founder Doug Zell.
Doug Zell is the founder of Intelligentsia Coffee and the Meteor Cafe. In 1995 he and Emily Mange founded what was just a small roastery and cafe in Chicago. Through a passion for design, coffee, and innovative hospitality Intelligentsia became an iconic brand with retail locations and roasting operations across the country and an influence in coffee that has inspired countless professionals globally. Intelligentsia was an early innovator of Direct Trade, and has boasted progressive design and service concepts that have challenged the status quo of training and hospitality in the industry. Included in their staff of some of the best green buyers, baristas, and managers, including a WBC Champion.
It is virtually impossible to measure the impact and contribution to coffee culture Intelligentsia has had and so much of it comes from the original values and goals that the company was founded on and the ability to develop a team to scale that vision.
In this first part of our 2 part Founder Friday we will be talking with Doug and focusing on the years of 1995-2015 and the establishment and growth of Intelligentsia Coffee all the way up to the acquisition of the company by Pete’s Coffee. In part 2 we switch gears with Doug and talk about how he pivoted to start the unique concept of The Meteor Cafe.
We discuss:
- Doug’s entry into coffee and the coffee business
- The original store, concept, and values
- Growing in Chicago and working to lead with design
- How Doug grew his leadership and the
- Why culture is a critical aspect of building a successful business
- Having confidence in your ideas and the ability to endure the challenges of a startup
- Competition’s role in company culture and the barista craft
- Balancing local and national perception
- How expansion can creates opportunities for growth and economic success.
Links:
Related episodes:
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- 444: Founder Friday! w/ Julia Peixoto Peters of Peixoto Coffee, Arizona
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