How Much Can Cafes and Restaurants Save by Roasting Their Own Coffee?
Bellwether’s ROI Calculator Helps Coffee Retailers Measure the Financial Impact of In-House Roasting.
Coffee costs have surged in recent years—arabica prices rose over 70% last year and are already up another 20% this year. For many cafes, bakeries, and restaurants, this volatility puts pressure on margins, especially for businesses still relying on traditional roasted coffee suppliers.
In response, a growing number of coffee retailers are rethinking their approach. In-house coffee roasting—once a costly, logistically complex operation—has become an increasingly viable strategy to control quality, reduce costs, and improve sustainability.
What’s Changing?
Until recently, the infrastructure required to roast coffee—ventilation systems, afterburners, gas lines—was too expensive and impractical for most cafés. But advances in electric roasting technology have changed the equation. Bellwether’s Shop Roaster—fully ventless, compact, and energy-efficient—is uniquely capable of allowing any business to roast coffee in-house with minimal setup.
Real Numbers: How In-House Roasting Impacts the Bottom Line
Using Bellwether’s ROI Calculator, any business can now estimate the true cost savings of roasting coffee on-site, along with the additional value created by selling in-house roasted coffee. Here's a sample scenario:
Current cost of roasted coffee: $11/lb
Cost of green coffee via Bellwether: ~$5/lb
Weekly roasting volume: 65 lbs
Annual savings: Up to $16,000
Annual roasted coffee value: ~$20,000
Roaster payback period: Often within the first year
The calculator also factors in variables like per-pound savings, cost-per-cup, CO₂ emissions reductions, and time to break even—giving a clear picture of operational impact.
Why Cafes Are Making the Switch
For many, it’s not just about saving money. In-house roasting also delivers:
Higher profit margins and cost control
Greater product differentiation with custom roast profiles
Supply chain transparency and ethical sourcing
Environmental benefits, including lower carbon emissions
“The Bellwether roaster was paying for itself within 4 months—it’s the easiest decision we’ve ever made for our business.”
— Rob Carlson, Owner, Sunflour Bakery (NY)“It’s a great investment! Not only through alignment but in having long-term flexibility to roast our own coffee at a reasonable price from sourcing green coffee ourselves.”
— Anthony Panacci, Co-owner, Virtue Juice and Coffee (CA)
The Technology Behind the Savings
Bellwether’s electric roaster is the first fully ventless, closed-loop commercial roaster. That means:
No gas lines, afterburners, or ventilation needed
Up to 87% less energy usage with air recirculation
Automated batch roasting via the Continuous Roasting Upgrade
Consistent, hands-off roasting—no previous roasting experience required
This combination of accessibility, automation, and sustainability makes Bellwether’s system especially appealing for small businesses looking to grow without expanding overhead.
Curious What You Could Save?
Explore your numbers using the Bellwether ROI Calculator. It’s intuitive, fast, and tailored to your unique coffee program—whether you're a busy café, restaurant, or coffee bar looking for smarter ways to manage your bottom line.
