Hear from the Hard Bean family.
Our owners’ testimonials.
At Hard Bean, we don’t give you rules, we give you flexibility. Each Hard Bean owner has a unique personality and a unique lens that they see life through, and that shines through in their café. We help each owner take their dream, their vision, and make it a reality. Hear their stories, take a look at the process, and see how far they have come.
and many more!
The story of Hard Bean
“Life is too short to drink bad coffee.”
“I’ve loved coffee since I was a child. I remember going to the grocery to pick out different beans for my family to enjoy. Even as a kid, I always preferred a dark roast.
Arriving in Seattle as the city’s reputation for coffee was taking off, I would visit Starbucks and Stuart Brothers every week to find fresh and interesting beans. (They were just roasters back then – no coffee drinks yet.) I told my friends “back east” that they should open a coffee shop; no one did. So when I moved back to Pennsylvania, I opened my own coffee stand.
Well, I’m glad I took my own advice since then; I opened nine stands in six months. When people saw my success, they asked me to help them open their own cafes, and Hard Bean was born. Now, thirty years later, the rest is history.” – Scott Bortz, Founder Of Hard Bean.
Why Hard Bean?
Everyone drinks coffee.
Think about the lines at every coffee shop you pass on a daily basis. Waiting in those lines is part of the ritual those folks run through every day, and that ritual is a crucial part of their lives. They can’t live without it! Even when money gets tight, coffee is an affordable luxury that offers a respite to struggles. With Hard Bean, you can make a living in challenging times by selling that affordable luxury. With our knowledge and experience coupled with your vision and passion, you will have everything you need to be successful.
Path To Ownership
Step 1
At Hard Bean, we want to make sure our program is the right fit for you. After submitting your application, we will schedule a time for us to meet. During our first meeting, we will make sure to answer any questions you have.
Step 2
After our first meeting, we will start the process of financing your coffee shop. Hard Bean will work with you to evaluate your financial status and explore funding and leasing options possibly available to you from our third-party referral sources.
Step 3
Before we can go further, you must decide if this is the right path for you. We know as much as you do that starting a business is not an easy decision to make. However, we want you to be prepared for the challenges that lay ahead for your dream to succeed.
Step 4
To help you find the perfect spot, Hard Bean provides site selection criteria and puts you in touch with a commercial realtor. We also provide technical drawings, a custom floor plan, and a cafe layout to create an efficient and warm atmosphere.
Step 5
Hard Bean will work with your contractors and guide them through the construction process. We will also oversee the ordering, shipping, and delivery of furniture and espresso/coffee equipment to your location.
Step 6
When construction has finished, Hard Bean will arrive for the finishing touches and begin the comprehensive training of your staff. Training times vary from owner to owner, but you will be pouring coffee and ready to open before we leave.
Testimonials.
Straight from Hard Bean owners:
Hear from the Hard Bean family
What makes Hard Bean work?
At Hard Bean, we don’t give you rules, we give you flexibility. Each Hard Bean owner has a unique personality and a unique lens that they see life through, and that shines through in their café. We help each owner take their dream, their vision, and make it a reality. Hear their stories, take a look at the process, and see how far they have come.
