Cafe Imports first began bringing in green coffee in 1993. Since then they’ve become B Corp certified, spun off a new brand La Bodega, and grown into one of the most recognizable specialty coffee importers in the world. And now Cafe Imports is “100% employee owned.”
Starting over three decades ago in Minneapolis, Cafe Imports has grown into a global powerhouse with offices in Germany and Australia and offering coffee from 30 different producing countries. They’ve built their reputation on transparency and creating long-term relationships with producers, and they’re taking a similar approach internally with corporate ownership.
Announced earlier this week, the change comes via an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). It operates as a federally-regulated retirement plan that will hold company stock on behalf of employees, from which they will be paid out upon retiring. The longer a person stays, the more stock they accrue, and the more the company “buys back” from them when it comes time to cash out.
“Employee ownership allows us to preserve that independence, support the long-term future of the company, and continue investing in the people and relationships that have shaped who we are,” founder Andrew Miller states. “I am incredibly proud to hand the keys over to the folks who helped build this company and will carry it forward.”
Per the announcement, becoming employee-owned won’t affect day-to-day operations at Cafe Imports but is a continuation of their focus on sustainability through relationships. And it ensures they will remain independent.
For more information, visit Cafe Imports official website.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
