My Story
Like Tom’s and so many of yours, my story is one of dreaming to escape corporate life and go out on my own. So here I am after 22 great years, 8 jobs, and 5 cities with International Paper…. now in my 20th month of entrepreneurship (BaristaWorks.com and BrandedCups.com). I love it (most days) and would not go back (most days) for anything.
I look forward to partnering with Tom on this new venture. Our hope and desire is to develop a new coffee oriented community, but to do it from the perspective of an entrepreneur as opposed to an association or trade periodical. My experience revolves around packaging, so look for things from me that center in that area - but the nice thing about a blog is that we are not constrained to talk about just one topic. For today though, I think I’ll stick to my knitting:)
A New "To Go" Cup for Specialty Coffee Operators?
It has been interesting to watch early feedback to the new expanded polystyrene (EPS) cups that Dart® and others have recently introduced. These new products are essentially just a Styrofoam cup with a paper wrap on the outside to allow for nicer graphics. While perfectly acceptable in QSR and C-store environments, the Specialty Coffee segment has historically steered as far away from foam as they could get.
Will the lower cost and better graphics of these new products outweigh the (real or perceived) environmental and taste concerns that most coffee entrepreneurs have had with foam??? Hard to say… but I do know that these new cups have clearly gotten the attention of the paper cup manufacturers. Best case is we’ll see some new innovations from the paper guys…. Worst case is these lower cost offerings will help keep paper prices in check – either way it should be a win for the Independent specialty coffee entrepreneur!
Cups
When I opened I really had to be proactive to get the cups you pictured, and was the first in our area to get them to market....they are "green", they are attractive and communicate "coffee" well, they are well "sleeved"....but recently I had to face the music of costs factors, and my rep said I really should look at DART's new FUSION cup....well, I decided to try it with my customers, particularly the 20 oz size to start, as that cup had been known to spring leaks in the other--not often, but sometimes--well, the DART cup was so much appreciated that we converted.....the sale was in the hand--testing the wonderful paper cup against the DART with hot beverage at pour, and 3 minutes later, and 10 minutes later....you still had a good hot beverage not burning your hand, really important to the commuter traveling with their beverage. Also, one lid fits all sizes, another savings, plus the lid seals for transport. Now, if they would come up with a selection of cool "coffee" communicator cover dressings, so independents can distinquish themselves....or maybe the secret is coming up with a branded label to attach.
Yes, our customers appreciated the change, regular verbal feedback....some found the sealed lid a little challenging the first go.
blog
Mike,
It is so good to hear your story. There are a lot of us out here who have similar ones. Its great to see you have created a virtual place for us to use. Good luck in all that you do!
thank you
Thanks Mary - hope you enjoy the space and my blog.
MDA