Finding the right wholesale partner is a challenge. We’ll show you what to look for in a potential coffee supplier, from quality assurance to shipping terms.

Along the journey of opening and growing a coffee shop, every owner wonders at some point, "Should we roast our own coffee?" Making the transition takes passion, patience, and skill-but before anything else, it has to make financial sense: is coffee roasting profitable?

Let's explore the research and break down coffee roasting profit margins vs coffee shop margins, dive deep into the financials, and analyze whether starting to roast coffee is a good move for you.

In this exploration, we'll take a look at:

• Research on average profit margins for roasters vs cafes

• What to expect for startup costs (+ how to save big in the beginning)

• Reasonable expectations for coffee roasting ROI

• How to start a coffee roasting business

Let's get into the numbers.

2023 was another exciting year at Bellwether—we proved the future of electric roasting by roasting completely with solar power in the desert of California, contributed thousands of dollars to farming communities, curbed millions of pounds of carbon, and more.

We stand firmly behind Living Income Pricing being the minimum price that producers need to be paid to truly support their futures and the long‑term health of our industry. As such, Bellwether is doubling down on our commitment and we have set an aggressive timeline to expand Living Income Pricing across all of our supply chains by the end of 2024.

Japanese consumers opened a recent edition of Nikkei ‑ the world’s largest financial newspaper, to headlines introducing Bellwether’s all‑electric, ventless roaster for the first time to the coffee‑obsessed country known for its thriving cafe culture.

Let’s explore the differences between white label coffee and in-house coffee roasting, including the control over quality, finances, and brand identity.

Discover how to find and enjoy delicious coffee made from ethically sourced beans. Learn more in our latest blog post.

Let’s explore why electric coffee roasters are here to stay: environmental impacts, the future of coffee, greater roasting accessibility, and more.

Buying a used commercial coffee roaster for your cafe? Don’t leave home before reading this guide.

Here’s everything you need to know about improving coffee quality at your café by defining quality, developing a knowledge program, roasting in-house, and more.

Explore how a coffee truck transformed into a thriving enterprise with multiple locations, and walk away with key takeaways to apply to your own business.

Thinking about opening a second coffee shop? Here’s everything you need to know about defining your motivation, knowing your numbers, documenting processes, and more.

Want to buy green beans directly from growers? Had enough of dealing with importers and myriad fees? Keep reading.

Starting a new coffee brand? Here are practical tips for how to get your first 1,000 customers, whether you’re a new coffee shop or a coffee roaster.

Here’s what you need to know about direct trade green coffee sourcing: how to get started, the pros and cons, and other considerations.

Coffee’s fourth wave is here. Are you ready for it? We’ll show you what to expect for the next coffee movement and how to prepare.

Bellwether’s flagship impact programs are helping coffee retailers end poverty in the coffeelands by connecting coffee drinkers to coffee growers in groundbreaking new ways. Read on to learn about the impact Bellwether customers have had in the lives of women farmers in Guatemala.

Learn more about how Bellwether’s industry-leading impact programs are empowering retailers to help end poverty in the Coffeelands and make a lasting impact in the lives of farmers.

Every business must consider changing their prices from time to time. Here's how to do it strategically and sustainably while keeping customers happy.

See how a national food service vendor leverages their Bellwether Hub to increase quality and sustainability without adding labor.