49th Parallel Coffee Roasters
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is a Canadian specialty coffee roaster founded in 2004, operating a Burnaby roasting facility, five retail cafés across Vancouver and Montreal, DTC e-commerce, subscriptions, and a wholesale partner program serving coffee enthusiasts, cafés, and gift buyers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersBurnaby, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters does
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is a privately held Canadian specialty coffee company founded in 2004 and headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, where it operates a multi-roaster production facility with dual cupping labs (at origin and at the roastery). The company roasts direct-trade specialty coffee sourced from named producers across Latin America and Africa (e.g., Carlos Guamanga in Colombia, Luis Pedro Zelaya in Guatemala, Natividad Benitez in Honduras), with relationships extending over a decade for several partners.
Its product portfolio spans single-origin and blended espresso and filter coffees, decaf options (Swiss Water Process, ethyl acetate), compostable espresso capsules, a half-caffeine "Demi" SKU, and a broad brew gear and accessories assortment from third-party brands (Fellow, Hario, TIMEMORE, Chemex, WACACO, Acaia) plus co-branded MiiR drinkware and merchandise. Pricing for 12oz bags anchors around $18 with premium single origins up to $22, and bulk 5lb formats provide additional volume.
The business operates four go-to-market motions in parallel: (1) direct-to-consumer e-commerce on Shopify with nationwide Canadian shipping and free shipping thresholds; (2) a recurring subscription program with tiered discounts (10% off 1–3 bags, 15% off 4+ bags) and gift subscriptions; (3) a wholesale/B2B partner program with 15+ years of program development serving restaurants, cafés, and offices; and (4) five retail cafés — four in Greater Vancouver (Main Street, West 4th/Kitsilano, Thurlow/Downtown, Lonsdale/North Vancouver) and one in Old Montreal opened in summer 2021, each featuring the in-house Lucky's Doughnuts brand. The company also runs a multi-tier loyalty program (49th Rewards) and dedicated mobile apps powered by Tapcart, targeting specialty coffee enthusiasts, wholesale operators, and gift buyers across Canada.
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters
- Legal name
- 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters
- Website
- https://49thcoffee.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is a Canadian specialty coffee roaster founded in 2004, operating a Burnaby roasting facility, five retail cafés across Vancouver and Montreal, DTC e-commerce, subscriptions, and a wholesale partner program serving coffee enthusiasts, cafés, and gift buyers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coffee Roasting & Grinding (AFAFADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE), Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ), Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI)
Keywords
Where 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnaby
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Coffee Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of roasted coffee beans in various formats (12oz, 2.5lb, 5lb), including espresso, filter, single origin, and decaf varieties. Multiple price points from $18-$140 depending on product and size.
- Coffee Subscriptions: Recurring subscription service for coffee deliveries with tiered discounts: 10% off for 1-3 bags, 15% off for 4+ bags. Frequency options include every 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 weeks.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including drinkware (mugs, tumblers, water bottles), tote bags, t-shirts, accessories, and brew gear. Collaboration with MiiR for premium drinkware products.
- Wholesale/B2B Coffee Programs: Wholesale supply of coffee to businesses including restaurants, cafés, and offices. After 15 years of developing coffee programs with partners, they provide complete coffee programs and systems.
- Gift Subscriptions: Gift subscription products available in 3-month and 6-month terms, offering espresso/filter coffee options with savings of 10%.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single coffee bag pricing for 12oz format |
| Subscription | Monthly | Bestseller subscription with tiered frequency options |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bundle pricing for 4+ bags |
| Subscription | Monthly | Gift subscription plans |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories and books |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters product offering
Product offeringCore offering
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee manufacturer and retailer that roasts direct trade single origin and blended coffees in a state-of-the-art Burnaby facility using four roasters of varying sizes. The company sells roasted whole bean and ground coffee (12oz, 2.5lb, 5lb formats), compostable espresso capsules, premium third-party brew gear, and 49th x MiiR branded merchandise through e-commerce, five company-owned retail cafés in Vancouver and Montreal, and a B2B wholesale partner program serving restaurants and businesses.
Product overview
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee company offering a diverse portfolio centered on direct-trade, expertly roasted coffee products. The core offering includes single origin espressos and filter coffees sourced from farms globally, featuring seasonal and limited releases alongside staple roasts like Old School Espresso, Epic Espresso, and Blue Sky Espresso. The company also offers compostable espresso capsules, decaf options using Swiss Water Process, and half-caffeine The Demi espresso. Complementary products include premium brew gear from brands like Fellow, Hario, TIMEMORE, and Chemex (grinders, scales, kettles, drippers, french presses, AeroPress), coffee accessories, and branded merchandise including MiiR collaboration drinkware (mugs, tumblers, bottles, canisters), tote bags, and apparel. The subscription service allows recurring delivery with savings, while curated gift sets and bundles provide gifting options. The company operates five retail cafes across Vancouver and Montreal, and offers a B2B wholesale partner program for businesses to serve their coffee.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Lucky's Doughnuts: In-house donut brand featured at cafe locations including Main Street and West 4th cafes, offering freshly made doughnuts.
Products and services
- Old School Espresso Signature medium-dark bestseller espresso for specialty coffee drinkers and home baristas.
- Epic Espresso Clean, sweet espresso with bright floral notes aimed at drinkers seeking a refined espresso profile.
- Blue Sky Espresso 49th's darkest roast espresso with low acidity and intense molasses notes for dark roast drinkers.
- Middle School Espresso Rich medium espresso with toffee and cocoa notes and dried fruit acidity.
- The Demi Espresso Half-caffeine espresso with malt candy notes, providing 50% caffeine with full flavor.
- Longitude 123°W Blend Signature medium-light roast blend designed for consistent sweetness and flavor throughout the year.
- Organic Breakfast Roast Rotating seasonal organic filter coffee with baker's chocolate, dried fig, and pecan notes.
- Organic Espresso Organic medium-dark espresso roast with dried dates, nougat, and walnut notes.
- Organic French Roast Organic dark French roast coffee with Dutch cocoa and spiced notes for strong-flavor drinkers.
- Nostalgia Organic Organic filter coffee balanced for high sweetness and round mouthfeel with prune notes.
- Decaf Swiss Water Process Espresso Chemical-free decaffeinated espresso processed using the Swiss Water Process with cashew, nutmeg, and sugarcane notes.
- Decaf Colombia Espresso Single origin Colombia decaf espresso decaffeinated with sugarcane-derived ethyl acetate, featuring pineapple notes.
- Organic Espresso Capsules Compostable capsules filled with medium-dark organic espresso featuring chocolate caramel flavor.
- Old School Espresso Capsule Compostable capsules with the Old School Espresso profile featuring dark chocolate, cocoa, caramel, and molasses notes.
- Iced Coffee Roast Specialty roast optimized for iced coffee brewing, with black cherry and chocolate notes.
- Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Aricha Espresso Medium-light single origin espresso from smallholder producers in Ethiopia's Yirgacheffe region, with peach, jasmine, and black tea notes.
- Ethiopia Guji Jigesa Filter High elevation washed honey-processed single origin filter coffee from the Guji region of Ethiopia with jasmine and peach notes.
- Colombia El Recuerdo Espresso Single origin espresso from Huila, Colombia, with caramel, orange, and red fruit notes.
- Peru San Ignacio Espresso Single origin espresso from Peru's San Ignacio mountains with milk chocolate and red apple notes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Save up to 15% on coffee purchases through subscription
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MiiRcoreCollaboration with MiiR for branded drinkware products including the 49th x MiiR Camp Mug, Flip Traveler, 360 Traveler tumblers, Straw Tumbler, Everywhere Bottle, Airlock Coffee Canister, Everyday Tote Bag, Pourigami Coffee Dripper, and Milk Pitcher. Products feature 49th branding alongside MiiR's design and functionality.
- Carlos GuamangacoreYoung and innovative coffee-grower from Huila, Colombia. Partnering with 49th for five years. Passionate about sustainability and careful, ethical stewardship of land.
- Luis Pedro ZelayacoreCoffee producer from Antigua, Guatemala. Partnering for over a decade, sourcing from farms including San Juan, Pulcal, and Poaquil. Known for superior quality and sustainable agronomy.
- Natividad BenitezcoreCoffee grower from Santa Barbara, Honduras. Won Honduras Cup of Excellence in 2005. Grows Pacas and Bourbon varieties on farm El Ocotillo. Partner with 49th for 9 years.
- Lucky's DoughnutsminorOn-site doughnut production at Main Street, West 4th (Kitsilano), and Montreal café locations. Lucky's doughnuts are made fresh daily at café locations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Philz Coffee: Specialty coffee roaster and multi-unit café operator known for direct trade sourcing and highly customized café experiences. Closely comparable to 49th Parallel's vertically integrated roastery-café model with strong regional brand identity.
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Pioneering third-wave specialty roaster with cafés, wholesale program, and DTC subscriptions. Comparable direct trade sourcing philosophy and multi-channel go-to-market model (now owned by Peet's Coffee).
- Intelligentsia Coffee: Specialty coffee roaster with direct trade sourcing since 1995, café operations, and wholesale partnerships. Closely aligned with 49th's producer-relationship-driven model and premium positioning.
- Verve Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster operating cafés in California and Tokyo with farm-level sourcing programs. Comparable vertically integrated roastery-café model with strong brand and DTC e-commerce presence.
- Counter Culture Coffee: Specialty coffee roaster with sustainability-focused direct trade sourcing, training programs, and wholesale distribution. Comparable to 49th Parallel's B2B wholesale program and producer-relationship emphasis.
- Balzac's Coffee Roasters: Canadian specialty coffee roaster with multiple café locations across Ontario and Western Canada. Closest direct Canadian comparable given overlapping geography, café-retailer model, and wholesale ambitions.
- Tim Wendelboe: Nordic specialty coffee roaster, World Barista Championship winner, with single-origin focus, café, and wholesale program. Comparable premium positioning and farm-direct sourcing philosophy.
- Matchstick Coffee Roasters: Vancouver-based specialty coffee roaster operating cafés in the same metro as 49th Parallel. Direct geographic competitor with overlapping wholesale and DTC channels in the BC market.
- Pallet Coffee Roasters: Vancouver-based specialty coffee roaster with cafés, wholesale, and DTC operations. Direct local competitor sharing 49th Parallel's home market, with similar direct trade sourcing story.
Broad incumbents
- Blue Bottle Coffee: Large-scale third-wave specialty coffee roaster with extensive café footprint, owned by Nestlé. Comparable in product positioning and direct trade narrative but with materially greater scale and capital access.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters social profiles
Digital presence49th Parallel Coffee Roasters financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters 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 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters
What does 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters do?
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee manufacturer and retailer that roasts direct trade single origin and blended coffees in a state-of-the-art Burnaby facility using four roasters of varying sizes. The company sells roasted whole bean and ground coffee (12oz, 2.5lb, 5lb formats), compostable espresso capsules, premium third-party brew gear, and 49th x MiiR branded merchandise through e-commerce, five company-owned retail cafés in Vancouver and Montreal, and a B2B wholesale partner program serving restaurants and businesses.
Is 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters a public or private company?
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters founded?
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters based?
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada, in the North America region.
How does 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Coffee Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are coffee Subscriptions, merchandise Sales, wholesale/B2B Coffee Programs and gift Subscriptions.
Who are 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Philz Coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Intelligentsia Coffee, Verve Coffee Roasters, Counter Culture Coffee, Balzac's Coffee Roasters, Tim Wendelboe, Matchstick Coffee Roasters and Pallet Coffee Roasters. Blue Bottle Coffee is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters have an API?
No public API is recorded for 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters.
What industry is 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters in?
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters's product category is Specialty Coffee. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFADAB, Coffee Roasting & Grinding, with a secondary code of THAFADAE, Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes). Its NAICS code is 31192 and its SIC code is 2080.