Peace Coffee
Peace Coffee is a Minneapolis-based organic and fair trade coffee roaster founded in 1996, selling whole bean, ground, EcoPods, and Nespresso-compatible espresso capsules direct-to-consumer via peacecoffee.com and through wholesale partnerships with national grocers, regional retailers, cafes, and offices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Peace Coffee does
Peace Coffee is a Minneapolis-headquartered organic and fair trade coffee roaster founded in 1996, operating as Peace Coffee LLC under Public Benefit Corporation (B Corp) structure with 101-250 employees. The company sources exclusively certified organic and fair trade coffee directly from at least 8 named farmer cooperatives across Latin America, Africa, and Indonesia (including CENFROCAFE, COSURCA, Manos Campesinas, Kokowagayo, COMUCAP, PANGOA, Fero, SCFCU, and Palmas del Paramo), which supply signature blends (Birchwood, Black Squirrel, Twin Cities, Tree Hugger, Morning Glory, French Roast, Blue Ox), single origins (Ethiopia, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia), seasonal rotations (Pollinator, Nocturnal, Party Animal), and decaffeinated options. Recent product expansion includes EcoPods home-compostable single-serve pods and Nespresso Original-compatible espresso capsules, positioning the company in the single-serve brewing category alongside traditional whole bean and ground formats.
The business operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and wholesale model. DTC revenue flows through peacecoffee.com (Shopify-powered) with a subscription program offering 15% recurring discounts across flexible delivery frequencies, augmented by digital gift cards, brewing equipment (French Press, Chemex, Hario V60, Baratza Encore Grinder, Toddy cold brew, Airscape Canister, Escali scale), apparel (hoodies, tees, socks, hats), and paid education classes. Wholesale distribution reaches 11+ named retail partners including Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, Hy-Vee, and regional Midwest chains, plus cafes, restaurants, and offices; Twin Cities accounts are served by an in-house bike delivery fleet. Pricing is unit-based at $18 per 12oz bag, $80.75 per 5lb bag, and $13 per 10-capsule espresso box, with subscriptions and promotional codes (NEWSUB40 for 40% off first order, JULYXMAS for $20 off 5lb) driving acquisition. The company is privately held and founder-controlled, with no disclosed parent or institutional investors, and raised a modest $1.4M Series 4 round on 2025-07-09.
Marketing emphasizes the 30-year organic/fair trade heritage, B Corp certification (Best for the World honoree 2018, 2019, 2021), queer-owned identity, and farmer partnership storytelling. Channels include content marketing (brew guides, recipes, farmer partner stories), organic social (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), email with first-order incentives, and point-of-sale presence across grocery retail. The company has received industry recognition including Growler Best Local Coffee Roaster (2017, 2019), Civil Eats Most Sustainable Coffee Business (2016), and Fair World Project Most Ethical Coffee Companies (2014), and was recognized as one of the Most Ethical Companies in America in 2025. The technology stack is conventional (Shopify e-commerce, standard roasting operations) with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities or proprietary software beyond the EcoPods compostable pod format.
Peace Coffee firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Peace Coffee
- Legal name
- Peace Coffee LLC
- Website
- https://peacecoffee.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Peace Coffee is a Minneapolis-based organic and fair trade coffee roaster founded in 1996, selling whole bean, ground, EcoPods, and Nespresso-compatible espresso capsules direct-to-consumer via peacecoffee.com and through wholesale partnerships with national grocers, regional retailers, cafes, and offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Peace Coffee industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Single-Serve Coffee (Pods, Capsules) (CRADAHAH)
Keywords
Where Peace Coffee is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Peace Coffee business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Coffee Sales: Direct-to-consumer online sales of whole bean, ground, and pod coffee products through peacecoffee.com. Products sold in 12oz, 20oz, and 5lb packages with one-time purchase or subscription options.
- Coffee Subscriptions: Recurring subscription model offering 15% savings with flexible delivery schedules (every 2, 3, 4, 6 weeks, or 1, 2, 3 months). Subscribers also receive 40% off first order with code NEWSUB40.
- Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale coffee sales to grocers, cafes, restaurants, and offices nationwide. Serves as an integral channel for retail presence beyond direct e-commerce.
- Gifts & Gear: Sale of brewing equipment (French Press, Hario V60, Chemex, Baratza grinder, Toddy cold brew), wearable merchandise (hoodies, t-shirts, socks), gift cards, and coffee education classes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard 12oz coffee bags |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 5lb bulk coffee bags |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Espresso capsules |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Gift cards |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Brewing equipment |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Coffee education classes |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Peace Coffee product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Peace Coffee is a Minneapolis-based coffee roaster that sources, roasts, and sells certified organic and fair trade coffee under its own brand. Its core product is whole bean and ground coffee in multiple roast profiles and formats (12oz/20oz/5lb bags, compostable EcoPods, Nespresso-compatible espresso capsules), sold through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store with a Subscribe & Save program, and through wholesale distribution to grocers, cafes, restaurants, and offices nationwide.
Product overview
Peace Coffee is an organic and fair trade coffee company headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, offering a comprehensive coffee portfolio alongside complementary products and services. The core product offering centers on whole bean and ground coffees available in multiple roast profiles (light, medium, dark) and formats (bags in 12oz/20oz/5lb sizes, EcoPods compostable pods, espresso capsules for Nespresso machines, and subscription services). Coffee offerings include single origins (Ethiopia, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia), signature blends (Birchwood, Black Squirrel, Twin Cities, Tree Hugger, Morning Glory, French Roast, Blue Ox), seasonal rotations (Pollinator, Nocturnal, Party Animal), and decaffeinated options. The company extends its brand into apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, socks, hats), brewing equipment (French Press, Chemex, Hario V60, Baratza grinder, Toddy cold brew system), gift cards, and educational classes (Mastering Coffee at Home, Mastering Espresso at Home). The company emphasizes organic and fair trade certification, climate-friendly practices, and direct relationships with farmer cooperatives globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Whole Bean and Ground Coffee Certified organic and fair trade coffee in multiple roast profiles and package sizes (12oz, 20oz, 5lb), available as whole bean or pre-ground in standard, fine (espresso), coarse (Chemex/commercial drip), and extra coarse (Toddy) grinds. Sold direct-to-consumer and through wholesale grocery and foodservice partners for daily brewing.
- EcoPods Compostable Single-Serve Coffee Pods Home-compostable single-serve coffee pods made from 100% renewable, non-GMO materials without plastic, aluminum, BPA, PFAS, PFOA, or heavy metals, certified by BPI and CMA for commercial composting. Available in Birchwood Blend and Tree Hugger Blend varieties for home brewing convenience without plastic waste.
- Nespresso-Compatible Espresso Capsules Organic and fair trade espresso capsules compatible with Nespresso Original line machines (not Vertuo), sold in 10-capsule boxes and bundle packs. Available in Birchwood Blend (intensity 9) and Morning Glory Blend (intensity 5) for convenience-focused espresso drinkers.
- Coffee Bundles Curated multi-bag coffee bundles including Dark Horse Coffee Bundle, Happy Medium Coffee Bundle, Farmer Partner Coffee Bundle, Light Roast Half-Caff Duo, All Decaf Duo, Dark Roast Half-Caff Duo, and Earth Lover Duo, designed for gifting and for customers wanting to explore multiple roast profiles.
- Coffee Subscription Service Recurring coffee delivery subscription offering 15% savings on every order, flexible delivery frequencies (every 2, 3, 4, or 6 weeks, or 1, 2, or 3 months), 40% off first order with code NEWSUB40, and a Seasonal Coffee Subscription that rotates with new seasonal offerings.
- Brewing Equipment Retail brewing equipment and accessories including 34 oz French Press, Hario V60 Ceramic Cone, Chemex 6 Cup, Baratza Encore conical burr grinder, Toddy Cold Brew Maker, Airscape airtight coffee canister, Escali Primo digital scale, and replacement filters/carafes, sold for home coffee brewing enthusiasts.
- Online Gift Cards Digital gift cards in fixed denominations of $10, $25, $50, $100, $150, and $200, redeemable on peacecoffee.com but not applicable to existing subscription orders.
- Apparel and Merchandise
Quantifiable outcome
- 100,000+ customers with 4.9/5 star average rating
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Peace Coffee
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Peace Coffee technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Peace Coffee partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CENFROCAFE (Central Fronteriza del Norte de Cafetaleros)corePeruvian farmer cooperative supplying beans for Black Squirrel espresso blend. Direct trade relationship with small-scale coffee farmers ensuring fair trade premiums and sustainable farming practices.
- COSURCA (Cooperativa del Sur del Cauca)coreColombian farmer cooperative supplying beans for Black Squirrel espresso blend. Partnership ensures fair trade certification and direct relationships with farmers.
- Manos Campesinas (APECAFORM)coreGuatemalan association of small organic Mayan coffee producers. Source for Guatemala single origin dark roast, ensuring fair prices and sustainable practices.
- KokowagayocoreSumatran cooperative supplying beans for Twin Cities signature blend. Provides unique regional coffee profile with rustic, earthy characteristics.
- COMUCAPcoreHonduran women-led cooperative supplying beans for Twin Cities signature blend. Supports women farmers through fair trade partnerships.
- PANGOAcorePeruvian farmer cooperative supplying beans for Birchwood Blend Espresso Capsules.
- Fero CooperativecoreEthiopian cooperative supplying beans for Morning Glory Blend Espresso Capsules.
- Palmas del Paramo CoopcorePeruvian cooperative supplying beans for Pollinator seasonal blend, adding soft almond sweetness and buttery body.
- SCFCU (Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union)coreEthiopian cooperative union supplying natural process beans for Pollinator seasonal blend with strawberry-vanilla and fruit notes.
- MN ACLUminorSocial impact partnership supporting civil liberties. Featured in customer communications as a cause-aligned organization that customers can support through purchasing.
- ShopifycoreE-commerce platform powering peacecoffee.com online store. Enables product catalog, shopping cart, subscriptions, and payment processing.
- NespressocoreProduct compatibility partnership. Peace Coffee espresso capsules are compatible with Nespresso Original line machines (not Vertuo), enabling convenience for existing Nespresso users.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Peace Coffee competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Portland-based specialty coffee roaster (owned by Peet's/Emmi) known for direct trade sourcing, wholesale distribution to cafes and grocery, and DTC subscriptions — a direct competitor in the premium organic/fair-trade roasted coffee space.
- Counter Culture Coffee: Durham, NC-based specialty roaster with a strong direct trade, sustainability and education focus, selling through wholesale foodservice and DTC channels — closely matches Peace Coffee's ethical-sourcing and B-Corp-adjacent positioning.
- Equal Exchange: Worker co-op specializing in fair trade, organic coffee, tea and chocolate with grocery and foodservice wholesale plus DTC — directly comparable as a mission-driven organic/fair-trade roaster competing in similar natural and co-op grocery channels.
- Kicking Horse Coffee: Canadian fair trade and organic certified roaster with broad North American grocery distribution (including Whole Foods), wholesale and DTC — a directly comparable organic/fair-trade specialty brand at similar scale and channel mix.
- Blue Bottle Coffee: Nestlé-owned specialty coffee roaster and cafe operator with DTC subscriptions and grocery retail (Whole Foods, Target) — directly comparable on channels, though better capitalized and more cafe-led.
Broad incumbents
- Cafe du Monde / Community Coffee: Mid/south regional broad-line coffee brands with grocery distribution and DTC, serving overlapping mainstream grocery shelves — incumbents competing for the same retail facings but at lower price points.
- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Keurig Dr Pepper): Keurig Dr Pepper-owned mass-market coffee brand driving single-serve K-Cup distribution across grocery and office — a broad incumbent that defines the single-serve category Peace Coffee is attempting to enter with EcoPods.
- Lavazza: Italian coffee major with broad espresso and single-serve (Espresso Point, A Modo Mio, Blue) presence in US grocery and foodservice — a broad incumbent competing for premium/specialty shelf and single-serve mindshare.
Emerging players
- Bulletproof Coffee: Specialty coffee and functional beverage brand with strong DTC and grocery presence (including Whole Foods) — a niche/emerging player in the premium functional coffee segment adjacent to Peace Coffee's values-aligned positioning.
- Driftaway Coffee: Subscription-first specialty roaster with a transparency and farmer-relationship focus sold DTC — an emerging player using a similar direct-trade storytelling and subscription model to compete for the same DTC coffee customer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Peace Coffee social profiles
Digital presencePeace Coffee financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Peace Coffee leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Peace Coffee funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Peace Coffee M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Peace Coffee
What does Peace Coffee do?
Peace Coffee is a Minneapolis-based coffee roaster that sources, roasts, and sells certified organic and fair trade coffee under its own brand. Its core product is whole bean and ground coffee in multiple roast profiles and formats (12oz/20oz/5lb bags, compostable EcoPods, Nespresso-compatible espresso capsules), sold through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store with a Subscribe & Save program, and through wholesale distribution to grocers, cafes, restaurants, and offices nationwide.
Is Peace Coffee a public or private company?
Peace Coffee is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Peace Coffee founded?
Peace Coffee was founded in 1996. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Peace Coffee based?
Peace Coffee is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Peace Coffee make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Coffee Sales are the primary driver. The others are coffee Subscriptions, wholesale Distribution and gifts & Gear.
Who are Peace Coffee's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Counter Culture Coffee, Equal Exchange, Kicking Horse Coffee and Blue Bottle Coffee. Broad incumbents are Cafe du Monde / Community Coffee, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Keurig Dr Pepper) and Lavazza. Emerging players are Bulletproof Coffee and Driftaway Coffee.
Does Peace Coffee have an API?
No public API is recorded for Peace Coffee.
What industry is Peace Coffee in?
Peace Coffee's product category is Specialty Coffee. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAHAGAI, Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories), with a secondary code of CRADAHAH, Single-Serve Coffee (Pods, Capsules). Its NAICS code is 311920 and its SIC code is 2080.