Peet's Coffee Inception
Founded in 1966, Alfred Peet started Peet's Coffee in Berkeley, California. His store introduced fresh, quality coffee roasting and superior blends to the American market.
Alfred Peet's Influence
Alfred Peet, often called the 'grandfather of specialty coffee,' influenced the founders of Starbucks, who were his early customers and learned about roasting from him.
Dutch Roots, American Revolution
Dutch immigrant Alfred Peet brought knowledge from his family's coffee business, revolutionizing American coffee culture with his artisanal approach and darker roasting method.
Expansion and Acquisition
Peet's expanded slowly, focusing on quality. In 1979, Sal Bonavita purchased Peet's, which was then sold to Joh. A. Benckiser in 2012.
Innovative Business Moves
Peet's success continued with innovations like mail-order coffee subscriptions in the 1980s, which helped them build a dedicated nationwide following.
Sustainable and Ethical
Peet's leads in sustainability, with initiatives like direct trade sourcing and eco-friendly stores. They were the first to offer a 100% responsibly sourced coffee in 2015.
Current Market Position
As of now, Peet's Coffee operates over 200 retail locations and is present in over 14,000 grocery stores, maintaining its legacy as a premium coffee roaster.Peet's Secret Weapon
Peet’s Coffee once inspired a covert CIA project dubbed 'Operation Coffee Cup' to gather intelligence during the Cold War.
When was Peet's Coffee founded?
1966 in Berkeley, California
1971 in Seattle, Washington
1980 in Portland, Oregon
Company
