Coffee Chaos, an independent coffee shop in Midland, Michigan, is celebrating 18 years of continuing growth. Owner Kim Krantz attributes his success, in part, to support from Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, an award-winning coffee roaster and coffee business consultant.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Coffee entrepreneurs Kim and Denise Krantz recently celebrated 18 successful years as owners of Coffee Chaos, a specialty coffee shop in Midland, Michigan.
Kim Krantz said Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, an award-winning coffee roaster and coffee business consultant, has been essential to the shop's success.
"From the start, Crimson Cup has been my partner in my business," he said. "Their philosophy is, if Coffee Chaos is successful, then Crimson Cup is successful."
"And they live this philosophy. It is not just talk."
Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert set up the company's 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program to teach entrepreneurs with little or no coffee experience how to open a coffee shop.
"A big part of our mission is to help coffee owners thrive at every step – from opening their shop to becoming a fixture in their community," Ubert said. "We've been thrilled to help Kim and Denise grow their business for 18 years."
Based on Ubert's book, 7 Steps to Success: A Commonsense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, the program has helped over 300 entrepreneurs in 30 states start and run independent coffee shops serving their local communities.
7 Steps coffee shop startup consultants assist entrepreneurs in everything from writing a coffee shop business plan to training employees and marketing to attract new customers.
"Crimson Cup is your basically your one stop shop," Krantz said. "They supply all the items that you need to run your shop, except dairy and food items."
Over the years, Coffee Chaos has been a perennial favorite for best coffee shop in the annual "Greatest of the Great Lakes Bay" feature published by Great Lakes Bay magazine.
"One way we stand out is that we don't serve drip coffee," Krantz said. "Our house coffee is the Americano. It is all about the espresso."
"We also focus on consistent drink preparation and sincere, topnotch customer service that inspires customers to come back day after day."
The shop's devoted customer base has left hundreds of online reviews praising both coffee and customer service.
"I moved away 6 years ago, and I have yet to find a better coffee shop," wrote a Facebook reviewer. "One of the things I look forward to the most when coming home is visiting Coffee Chaos!
Of the many benefits of owning a coffee shop, Krantz said two stand out for him.
"First, I feel it's important to give first-time job experiences to high school and college students, 'he said. "It's rewarding to mentor young adults and help them develop skills that are beneficial to them as they go on their career path."
"Second, meeting new people and making new friends, knowing that we have become part of their daily routine."
Back in 2004, the couple could not have known the small business they were about to open would become a community staple.
"Over the years, we've found we can bring the community together over our favorite thing – coffee!" Kim Krantz said.
He sits on the board of the Midland Business Alliance and is involved with several other community organizations.
For the past 17 years, Coffee Chaos has sponsored the DOW TENNIS CLASSIC women's professional tennis tournament. The shop also sponsors the DOW GREATLAKES BAY INVENTATIOAL women's professional golf tournament. The shop also makes in-kind donations throughout the community.
Thinking about opening your own coffee shop? Krantz offered this advice:
"Make sure that you do your due diligence. You want to make sure that you are starting with a good foundation."
"Remember when you open your doors that you are the face of your business. People will associate your shop with you."
"It will take time to build your customer base. Be patient. Business success does not happen overnight."
If you're looking for a coffee partner, Krantz suggested looking at Crimson Cup.
"There is no one in the industry, that I am aware of, doing what Crimson Cup does for its customers," he said. "They offer all the benefits of a franchise without a franchise fee."
He invited everyone living in or visiting the Midland area to check out Coffee Chaos.
"To make sure our drinks are always delicious, we grind, brew, and serve each one when you order," he said.
"While we're known for our white chocolate and caramel Chaos Mocha, we have a large menu of choices that are just as tasty. Whatever you order, it'll be the perfect complement to any Midland day!"
To learn more about Coffee Chaos – including hours, menu and events – visit the shop's Facebook page.
About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.
Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup – driven by meaningful relationships, honesty and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities.
Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs how to open and run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into coffee shop startup costs.
Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and a new CRIMSON retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contact
Cheryl Claypoole, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, 614-361-5023, [email protected]
SOURCE Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
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