The Coffee Experts Club Podcast

Hosted by The Collab Team

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Episodes

155

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Coffee Experts Club! If you're anything like us, then you've taken what could have been just a job and appreciated it enough to make it a calling. Coffee is at the center of communities, economies and most people's mornings. Being a coffee professional can allow you to be a stable presence in the lives of many, but it also comes with a lot of hard work and a lot of variables that need to be figured out in order to deliver that perfect cup every day. Aaron, Drew and Ben have over 25 years of combined experience in the coffee industry and they are still helping major coffee brands today with their daily operations and opening of new locations. Come join these experts as they have in depth conversations about: opening new locations, managing people, sourcing products, business strategies and pitfalls and a whole lot more. And when you're ready to make this world your own, let us help you open up YOUR FIRST COFFEE DRIVE THRU! www.myfirstdrivethru.coffee FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecoffeeexpertsclub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeeexpertsclub

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 14, 2026Episode 15619 min

156. Simplify Before You Scale

Summary: More systems don't always mean better operations. Drew, Ben, and Aaron discuss how coffee shops can simplify their processes, balance technology with practical solutions, and identify unnecessary complexity before it gets in the way of growth. Ready to find the gaps and overlaps in your business before opening your next location? Visit the Gap Analyzer to assess your operations and see where you can simplify. Minute-by-Minute: 00:10 Welcome Back to Coffee Experts Club 01:52 Drew's Coffee Adventures in Guatemala and Mexico 03:11 Complexity vs Simplicity in Coffee Operations 07:13 Key Components of a Successful Coffee Shop 11:32 Balancing Technology and Analog Solutions 16:07 Smart Solutions for Coffee Business Challenges

October 7, 2026Episode 15519 min

155. Stop Running Your Shop on Memory

Summary: What happens when your POS breaks, a menu change goes sideways, or an important system suddenly disappears? Ben and Drew share real stories of operational mistakes, unexpected problems, and the systems that can keep your coffee business from falling apart when things go wrong. Want to get ahead of the mistakes that can cost your coffee shop time, money, and sleep? Explore the Coffee Experts Academy for more practical lessons and real-world strategies from years of running coffee businesses. Minute-by-Minute: 00:10 Welcome to Coffee Experts Club 01:03 Best Practices for Coffee Shop Operations 06:04 Navigating POS Challenges 11:27 Importance of Documentation and SOPs 16:55 Building Customer Relationships in Coffee Business

September 30, 2026Episode 15420 min

154. The Reality of Business Partnerships

Summary: Aaron and Ben dive into the ups and downs of business partnerships, from choosing the right partner to handling disagreements, staying involved, and preparing for the possibility of a partner leaving. They also discuss SOPs, weekly meetings, and how to approach a potential split without making emotional decisions. Is your business built to keep running if a partner walks away tomorrow? Get the tools to build stronger systems and be prepared for whatever comes next. Check out Coffee Experts Academy for more resources. You can also grab the free operations resources and scale up your business like never before. Minute-by-Minute: 00:00 – Montana road trip and "Corfy" banter 01:28 – Today's topic: business partners 02:12 – Choosing a partner like a marriage 05:07 – A franchise partnership breakup 06:26 – Money disagreements that break partnerships fast 07:23 – Why silent partners need weekly check-ins too 09:26 – When a partner unexpectedly disappears 11:06 – Org charts, SOPs, and delegate-and-elevate 14:36 – Losing an operator: the highest-risk exit 18:38 – Don't decide to split with emotion

September 23, 2026Episode 15317 min

153. How to Handle Major Transitions in Your Coffee Shop

Summary: Every coffee shop goes through seasons of transition. Employees leave, leadership changes, and unexpected situations can quickly create chaos if you're not prepared. Aaron, Ben, and Drew share lessons from their own experiences and talk about how to lead through major changes, communicate clearly with your team, build systems that don't rely on one person, and keep your business moving forward. Learn more about Coffee Experts Club and get more resources for building a stronger coffee business Minute-by-Minute: 00:00 - Aaron's back from his Italy anniversary trip 00:20 - Espresso culture: shots at the bar, no drive-thrus 03:00 - Today's topic: handling business transitions 04:34 - Good transitions vs. bad transitions 06:10 - Case study: when politics hit the shop floor 12:40 - Case study: the scandal that forced a new CEO 15:05 - Selling your team the story first 16:12 - Why nothing can rely on one person 17:27 - The bookshelf strategy and SOP systems 18:51 - Wrap-up and next week's preview

September 16, 2026Episode 15219 min

152. Is Your Coffee Shop Ready for Fall?

Summary: Fall is coming, and if you are just starting to plan your seasonal drinks, promotions, events, and merchandise, you might already be behind. Ben and Drew break down how coffee shops can prepare for the fall and holiday seasons with a simple marketing calendar. From pumpkin spice and peppermint drinks to parking lot parties, community events, gift cards, and limited-run merchandise, they share practical ideas to keep customers coming through the door and set your shop up for the slower months ahead. Start building your fall and holiday plan before the season gets busy. Check out the Coffee Experts Academy and get ahead of the game. Minute-by-Minute: 00:10 Welcome to the Pumpkin Spice Edition 02:04 Planning for Fall and Winter Promotions 05:29 Engaging the Community with Events 09:12 Seasonal Drinks and Merchandise Strategies 12:55 Maximizing Sales During the Holidays

September 9, 2026Episode 15119 min

151. What I Learned About Coffee At Its Source

Summary: What happens when you leave the highways behind and experience coffee at its source? Drew joins Ben to talk about his month-long motorcycle journey through Mexico and Guatemala, from mountain roads and remote villages to coffee farms, passionate coffee shops, and some seriously unexpected experiences along the way. They explore what it was like to travel through Central America, connect with local communities, and see the coffee industry from a completely different perspective. Curious about coffee beyond the cup? Follow Coffee Experts Club for more conversations with the people, businesses, and ideas shaping the coffee industry. Minute-by-Minute: 00:10 Introduction to the Adventure 02:52 The Journey Begins: Motorcycling Through Central America 05:29 Cultural Insights and Coffee Exploration 08:22 The Reality of Coffee Farming 11:11 Traveling Off the Beaten Path 13:53 Interactions with Locals 16:27 Coffee Culture in Central America 19:07 Reflections on Travel and Future Adventures

September 2, 2026Episode 15421 min

150. What Happens When Your Best Leader Leaves?

Summary: Leadership changes are inevitable. The key is making sure your business can keep moving when a key person leaves. Aaron, Ben, and Drew discuss how strong systems, clear roles, and documented processes can make leadership transitions easier and your coffee shop more scalable. Ready to find the gaps in your business? Check out the Gap Analyzer and start building a business that does not depend on one person. Minute-by-Minute: 00:10 Introduction to Coffee Experts Club 02:02 Navigating Leadership Changes in Coffee Shops 06:47 The Importance of Developing Future Leaders 11:06 Creating Systems for Smooth Transitions 16:50 Tools for Managing Change Effectively

August 26, 2026Episode 14921 min

149. Make It or Buy It?

Summary: Making your own syrups can save money, create unique flavors, and give your coffee shop more control. But is it actually worth the extra work? Ben and David break down the real costs, challenges, logistics, and benefits of bringing production in house, and explain when it makes sense for a growing coffee shop. Want to build a stronger coffee business? Follow us on social media, reach out to the team, and check out Coffee Experts Academy. Minute-by-Minute: 00:00 | Introduction 03:57 | Making Syrups In House 08:29 | Creating Signature Flavors 10:40 | Cutting Costs 12:05 | Understanding Your Customers 15:57 | When to Start 16:43 | Syrups vs. Sauces 19:15 | The Bigger Opportunity 20:16 | Consistency Is Key

August 19, 2026Episode 14821 min

148. One Piece of Paper That Protects Your Shop

Summary: HR may not be exciting, but it can make or break your coffee shop. Aaron and Ben discuss employee handbooks, clear policies, write-ups, and creating consistency as your business grows. Want the same write-up policy template Aaron and Ben use in their own shops? Opt-In here and they'll send it your way. Minute-by-Minute: 00:10 Adventurous Beginnings and Personal Updates 02:10 The Importance of Human Resources in Coffee Shops 05:57 Building a Strong Employee Culture 11:28 Establishing Policies and Procedures 17:19 Accountability and Consistency in Management

August 12, 2026Episode 14719 min

147. The Cogs Number That Should Scare You

Summary: Are you paying too much for the products and supplies your coffee shop uses every day? Aaron Hovivian and Ben Clatterbuck break down how smart vendor decisions can lower COGS, improve profitability, and simplify your operations. From negotiating better pricing to working with local distributors and consolidating orders, they share practical ways to keep more money in your business. Want to get a clearer picture of your coffee shop's profitability? Check out the free Profit & Loss tool from Coffee Experts Academy and see where you can start saving. Minute-by-Minute: 00:00-Opening Conversation 02:59-Supply Chain Strategy 03:46-Evaluating Your Vendors 06:17-Sales vs. Savings 08:38-Reducing COGS 10:23-Negotiating Better Pricing 12:35-Local vs. National Vendors 14:49-Consolidating Your Orders 16:23-Finding More Savings 17:49-The Cost of Vendor Complexity 19:00-Final Takeaways

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