The Coffee Experts Club Podcast

Hosted by The Collab Team

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147

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Aug 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

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60 recent

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

August 5, 2026Episode 14619 min

146. Coffee Shop Equipment Essentials

Summary: Opening a coffee shop? Aaron and Ben explain how to choose the right equipment, when to buy used vs. new, and how to avoid expensive mistakes as your business grows. Planning your first shop or your next location? Explore the free resources at MyFirstDriveThru.Coffee to help you launch and scale with confidence. Minute-by-Minute:00:00 Introduction 01:03 Building a Coffee Shop the Smart Way 01:56 Why Equipment Choices Matter 04:00 Buying Used vs. New Equipment 09:34 In-House vs. Outsourced Repairs 15:02 Standardizing Equipment for Growth 19:17 Final Tips & Takeaways

July 29, 2026Episode 14519 min

145. Why Great Coffee Shops Start Slipping

Summary:Aaron Hovivian and Ben Clatterbuck discuss why great coffee shops start slipping, how bad habits slowly affect successful businesses, and why strong systems and communication are key to staying on track. Want to build better systems and communication within your coffee business? Check out the Free Communication Guide and discover more tools for coffee leaders at Coffee Experts Academy. Minute-by-Minute: 00:00: Why Great Businesses Slip 04:15: Avoiding the Bottleneck 08:50: Better Communication Systems 13:52: Building Teams That Scale 19:35: Final Thoughts

July 22, 2026Episode 14420 min

144. Build a Coffee Shop, Not Just Another Job

Summary:This week on Coffee Experts Club, Aaron Hovivian and Ben Clatterbuck reflect on lessons from their conversation with Melissa Cardenas of Lifeline Coffee. They explore what it means to become a hometown favorite, build strategic partnerships that fuel growth, and create a coffee business that works for you, not one that depends on you. Grab the free delegate and elevate tool here and stop giving yourself another job. Still working on location one? We got you. Check out our Free Masterclass: myfirstdrivethru.coffee Minute-by-Minute:00:00 Introduction, summer heat and coffee shop challenges. 03:30 Recap of Melissa Cardenas and lessons from her growth. 05:10 Becoming a hometown hero by serving your community. 07:26 Strategic partnerships for growth. 11:46 Building a business versus creating a job. 15:58 Why owners shouldn't do all the barista work themselves. 17:27 Long-term growth planning. 20:17 Final takeaways and closing thoughts.

July 15, 2026Episode 14316 min

143. She Made $30 a Day, Now She Has 5 Shops

SUMMARY: Aaron, Drew, and Ben sit down with Melissa Cardenas, who opened her first coffee shop a week after finishing nursing school with zero barista experience and grew it into five locations, with a sixth on the way, in eight years. Melissa walks through the gas station partnership that fueled her expansion, the Latin inspired menu that sets her drive thrus apart, and why she still refuses to fully step back from the stores. Minute-by-Minute: 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:01 Transition from Nursing to Coffee Business 06:10 Building Relationships and Expanding Business 08:46 Unique Offerings and Community Engagement 11:59 Future Plans and Business Model 14:40 Challenges and Growth in the Coffee Industry

July 8, 2026Episode 14222 min

142. Don't Let a Great Idea Create Chaos

Summary:Every coffee shop owner has a great idea, but not every great idea should launch tomorrow. In this episode, Aaron Hovivian and Ben Clatterbuck share hard-earned lessons on rolling out promotions, products, and grand openings the right way Free Masterclass & Tools: myfirstdrivethru.coffee Coffee Experts Academy: coffeeexpertsacademy.com Minute-by-Minute: 00:00 The Journey of Collaboration 02:59 The Importance of Family Time 05:50 Lessons from Launching Gift Cards 08:35 The Chaos of Last-Minute Decisions 11:37 The Role of Planning in Successful Launches 14:28 Creating a Collaborative Environment 17:18 The Balance of Urgency and Planning

July 1, 2026Episode 14121 min

141. The 90-Second Rule Every Coffee Shop Should Hit

SUMMARY: How do you actually know if your coffee shop is performing well, or just feels busy? Aaron, Drew, and Ben walk through the real baseline numbers every shop owner should track, from car times at the window to labor cost percentage and cost of goods sold. They share the benchmarks that separate a healthy shop from one quietly bleeding money, and how to start measuring yours this week. Want help getting a clear read on your numbers? Check out payroll.coffee for help with payroll and finance metrics, or grab the free profit and loss tool at profitandloss.coffeeexpertsacademy.com. Minute By Minute: 00:00 Cultural Differences and Homecoming 01:59 Establishing Baselines in Coffee Business 05:59 Metrics for Success: Customer Experience and Operations 12:08 Drive-Thru Efficiency: Maximizing Customer Flow 18:02 Staffing and Labor Costs: Finding the Right Balance 22:07 Tracking Costs: Understanding Your Financial Metrics

June 24, 2026Episode 14019 min

140. From Firefighting to Frameworks

Summary:In this episode of Coffee Experts Club, Aaron Hovivian, Drew Moody, and Ben Clatterbuck discuss why successful coffee businesses need systems for everything. From grand openings and employee training to maintenance issues and unexpected operational challenges, the team explains how documented processes reduce stress, prevent costly mistakes, and create consistency as businesses grow. Drawing from years of experience opening locations and managing teams, they share real-world examples of what happens when owners rely on memory and improvisation instead of proven systems. The conversation highlights the importance of creating repeatable frameworks that allow businesses to scale without chaos. Whether it's planning a grand opening, training new employees, handling maintenance emergencies, or preparing for future growth, the hosts emphasize that strong systems create stability and peace of mind. They also discuss how entrepreneurs often thrive on spontaneity but eventually reach a point where growth requires structure, documentation, and continuous refinement of proven processes. Everything you need to open your first coffee drive thru. Let us save you the headache of figuring it out on your own with this FREE resource: myfirstdrivethru.coffee Craving more? Join the Coffee Experts Academy for hours of content that will help you shape your coffee business into the best it can be: coffeeexpertsacademy.com Minute-by-Minute: 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 01:44 The Importance of Systems in Business 05:30 Strategies for Grand Openings 10:23 Creating a Baseline for Success 15:54 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Business

June 17, 2026Episode 13921 min

139. Electric Culture in Your Coffee Shop

Summary: In this episode of Coffee Experts Club, Aaron, Ben, and Drew reflect on their experiences helping grow Roasters Coffee from a single coffee shop into a multi-location operation and discuss the unique culture that fueled that growth. Looking back at old grand opening footage, they explore the excitement, camaraderie, and sense of purpose that made employees want to stay, grow, and invest in the company.The conversation highlights how strong cultures are built through shared experiences, leadership development, and creating an environment where people feel connected to something bigger than themselves. The group also discusses the challenges that come with growth, including the need for structure, accountability, and delegation. They examine the balance between maintaining a fun and engaging workplace while implementing systems that allow a business to scale successfully. Through lessons learned from both successes and mistakes, they share insights on empowering leaders, preserving company values, and building a culture that continues to thrive as an organization grows. Minute-by-Minute: 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 01:54 Nostalgia and the Roasters Experience 03:43 Creating an Electric Culture in Coffee Shops 09:27 The Balance Between Fun and Structure 16:48 Empowerment and Leadership Dynamics

June 10, 2026Episode 13820 min

138. Where Should My Money Go?

Summary:In this episode of the Coffee Experts podcast, Aaron Hovivian, Drew Moody, and Ben Clatterbuck tackle a major question every growing coffee business eventually faces: should you invest in opening a new location, or should you put that money into improving your current operation? Drawing from real conversations happening inside Coffee De Los Mayas and with consulting clients across the country, the team breaks down the risks, rewards, and hidden complexities behind both decisions. Aaron also dives into the realities of scaling a coffee business, including operational strain, staffing challenges, branded products, roasting in-house, and the importance of using real financial data instead of gut feelings alone. They also discuss why timing, business maturity, and alignment between partners matter so much when making growth decisions. Whether you are preparing to launch your first coffee shop or deciding how to scale an existing brand, this episode offers practical insight into making smart long-term investments for your business. Want to learn more about opening and growing a successful coffee business? Free Masterclass: myfirstdrivethru.coffee Coffee Experts Academy: coffeeexpertsacademy.com Minute-By-Minute: 00:00 Navigating Controversy and Business Decisions 02:53 Pros and Cons of Opening New Locations 05:23 Data-Driven Decision Making 08:19 Balancing Complexity and Cash Flow 11:01 Strategic Growth and Marketing 14:07 Preparing for New Ventures 16:56 Innovative Approaches to Starting a Coffee Business

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