High-Growth Italian Coffee Roaster & Ho.Re.Ca. Supplier

The business operates across four complementary revenue streams:

1. Wholesale Coffee Blends — A curated portfolio of espresso blends ranging from high-cremosity Arabica-Robusta mixes to single-origin Arabica selections, plus a solvent-free decaffeinated option. Products are roasted, blended, and packaged in-house and sold B2B to cafés, restaurants, and hospitality venues.

2. Bar Products & Equipment — Soluble beverages (ginseng, barley, hazelnut), creams and sorbets, compatible coffee capsules for both home and professional use, and professional espresso machines and bar equipment through a partnership with a leading Italian manufacturer.

3. Retail Cafeterias — Two owned-and-operated coffee shops in the Milan metropolitan area generating direct consumer revenue through eat-in and takeaway service, open 7 days a week.

4. Barista Training Academy — SCA-aligned professional courses covering coffee extraction, presentation, latte art, and post-opening operational support for B2B clients. Courses serve as both a revenue stream and a customer-acquisition channel for the wholesale operation.

The business serves 350+ B2B hospitality clients (cafés, restaurants, and hotels) across 5 countries, with the majority in Italy. B2B clients represent the core revenue driver, with strong repeat purchase behaviour driven by consumable product demand and ongoing technical support.

The retail cafeterias serve a local consumer audience — commuters and neighbourhood regulars — providing a direct market feedback loop and brand visibility.

Key market tailwinds: specialty coffee culture continues expanding in Southern Europe; Italian artisanal roasters command premium positioning; the Ho.Re.Ca. sector is consolidating toward suppliers who offer both product and training. The business is well-positioned with a full-stack offering (product + equipment + training + support) that creates high switching costs and customer stickiness.

The company employs 29 people across the following functions:

• Commercial — led by the founding owner, managing client acquisition and key accounts
• Product Quality — an SCA-certified quality manager overseeing sourcing, roasting profiles, and blend consistency from bean to cup
• Operations — a café manager running day-to-day retail operations
• Administration — handling bookkeeping, compliance, and back-office
• Technical Assistance — factory-trained equipment technicians providing installation and maintenance support to B2B clients

The roasting facility, warehouse, and distribution hub are located near Milan. Two retail cafeterias operate 7 days a week with extended hours. The business runs Monday–Friday for production and B2B distribution, with weekend retail operations managed by café staff.

Quick wins:

• Launch a direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel for coffee blends and capsules — the brand and product range are already proven in B2B; reaching home consumers online is a natural extension.
• Expand the capsule product line (compatible with major home machines) to capture the growing at-home premium coffee segment.

Bigger plays:

• Scale export operations beyond the current 5 countries — Western European and North African markets show strong demand for Italian-roasted specialty coffee.
• Open additional retail cafeterias in the Milan metropolitan area and other major Italian cities, using the existing playbook.
• Develop the training academy into a franchise-ready programme, licensing the curriculum and product supply to independent café owners nationwide.
• Add private-label / white-label roasting services for hospitality groups wanting bespoke blends under their own name.