What Ellis Coffee does

Ellis Coffee is a fourth-generation, family-owned artisan coffee roaster founded in 1854 and headquartered at a roasting facility on Bridge Street in Philadelphia. The company roasts in small batches using a $1 million Green Coffee Bean & Silo System (installed 2013) and ships roastery-direct to customers, with product formats spanning whole bean, ground, espresso, cold brew (including RFA Certified and Nitro), E-Cups/single-serve, filter packs, flavored coffees, and ancillary beverages such as tea, hot chocolate, and syrups. Its portfolio is organized into three lines — Mezzaroma (artisan single origin, sustainable, specialty, flavored), Heritage (traditional American blends perfected over four generations), and GTV (value/practical) — plus specialty offerings such as the conservation-focused Jambi's Java (Sumatran, Rainforest Alliance Certified) and limited-time offerings like Orange Dreamsicle. Proprietary elements include a Natural CO2 decaffeination process, an Ellis Quality Guarantee rooted in four-generation roasting standards, a Cold Brew Filter Pack System, and a proprietary ROI calculator used during customer consultations.

Ellis generates the bulk of its revenue through B2B wholesale coffee product sales to food service operators, convenience stores, distributors, office coffee services, hospitality, education, and senior living facilities, complemented by equipment service/support revenue and a smaller retail/DTC stream via Amazon, Pletho.org (a 501(c)(3) fulfillment partner), ACME Markets, and an on-site coffee bar at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Go-to-market is sales-led, anchored by field sales consultants providing one-on-one support, supplemented by inside sales via phone ((800) 822-3984) and a web ordering portal (deliver.elliscoffee.com), and distributed regionally through channel partners such as Capitol Coffee (covering Pittsburgh to Savannah), Canteen at Compass Group, L.C. Vending, and A-Best Vending & Coffee. Customer programs are turnkey: equipment recommendation, on-site training, custom co-branded POS signage, marketing materials, and EDI invoicing for large accounts. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, but is positioned as competitive against big brands with low minimums.

Ellis is a privately held company with 101–250 employees and no parent company, subsidiaries, external funding, or public listing. It is led by President Adam Kestenbaum (fourth-generation family owner since 2010) with VP of Sales Becky Day, Director of Marketing Chris Snee, and Director of Coffee & Quality Assurance Adam Lees (20+ years specialty coffee experience). The company participates in industry events (SCA Expo) and associations (NAMA, NYACS, PFMA, PRLA), and pursues heritage and conservation partnerships (Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Zoo, Horn & Hardart, Ivins, ACME) to reinforce its Philadelphia brand narrative.

Name

Ellis Coffee

Legal name

Ellis Coffee

Website

https://elliscoffee.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1854

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ellis Coffee is a fourth-generation, family-owned artisan coffee roaster founded in 1854 in Philadelphia, supplying B2B wholesale coffee, cold brew, espresso, single-serve, and full turnkey beverage programs to convenience stores, food service operators, distributors, OCS, hospitality, education, and senior living customers across the U.S.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Coffee Roasting

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Instant Coffee & Coffee Extract Manufacturing (AFAFADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE)

Keywords

• Wholesale coffee roasting
• Artisan coffee products
• B2B beverage programs
• Specialty coffee distribution
• Coffee equipment service

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. B2B Wholesale Coffee Products: Ellis Coffee generates revenue primarily through wholesale coffee product sales to B2B customers including food service operators, convenience stores, distributors, office coffee services, and hospitality businesses. Products include whole bean, ground, single-serve (E-Cups/K-Cups), cold brew, espresso, flavored coffees, tea, hot chocolate, and ancillary beverage items. The company ships direct from roastery to customer, with EDI-electronic invoicing available for large accounts.
2. Equipment Service & Support: Ellis Coffee provides equipment service and support for coffee brewing and dispensing equipment, including on-site training, maintenance consultation, and support for partners implementing beverage programs.
3. Retail / E-Commerce (Amazon, Pletho.org): Ellis Coffee sells retail products (ground coffee, whole bean, single-serve pods, branded merchandise) through Amazon storefront and through Pletho.org (a 501(c)(3) non-profit subsidiary Clean Water Cafe that fulfills Ellis retail products for home consumers), creating a B2C revenue stream alongside B2B wholesale operations.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ellis Coffee is a family-owned artisan coffee roaster founded in 1854, headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, that roasts small-batch coffee and sells it primarily on a B2B wholesale basis to food service operators, convenience stores, distributors, office coffee services, and hospitality businesses. The company offers three distinct coffee lines (Mezzaroma, Heritage, GTV) across multiple formats (whole bean, ground, espresso, cold brew, E-Cups, filter packs, flavored) plus a complete turnkey beverage program including tea, hot chocolate, syrups, creamers, cups, lids, equipment service, custom POS signage, and marketing support. They also sell retail coffee products through Amazon, Pletho.org, and an on-site coffee bar at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Product overview

Ellis Coffee is a family-owned and operated wholesale coffee roaster founded in 1854, headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized around three distinct coffee lines: Mezzaroma (artisan roasted small-batch single origin, sustainable, specialty, and flavored coffees), Heritage (traditional American blends perfected over four generations), and GTV (practical value-oriented blends). Product formats include whole bean, ground, espresso, cold brew, E-Cups (single-serve), filter packs, and flavored coffees. The company also provides a complete turnkey beverage program including hot chocolate, tea, syrups, creamers, cups, lids, and POS signage. They serve diverse business segments including C-stores, distributors, food service, and office coffee services. Notable products include the conservation-focused Jambi’s Java (Sumatran single-origin), Tanzania Zanzibar peaberry, seasonal LTO flavors like Orange Dreamsicle, and the premium Black Label Espresso. The company has invested in K-Cup technology for single-serve offerings and provides EDI invoicing, marketing support, and direct shipping to customers nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mezzaroma Line: Artisan roasted coffee line featuring single origin, sustainable, specialty, and flavored coffees roasted in small batches.
• Heritage Line
• GTV Line
• Jambi's Java

Products and services

• Mezzaroma Line Artisan roasted single origin, sustainable, specialty, and flavored coffees roasted in small batches, targeting consumers seeking premium and specialty coffee experiences.
• Heritage Line Traditional American coffee blends that are rich, smooth and well-balanced, artfully roasted and perfected over four generations in Philadelphia since before Lincoln's time.
• GTV Line Practical and straightforward coffee experience that is consistent, reliable and satisfying with no frills, targeting value-conscious operators.
• Whole Bean Coffees Whole bean coffees offering superior freshness, flavor, and customization for customers who grind their own beans or use bean-to-cup brewers, including varieties like 100% Colombian Supremo, 1854 Signature Roast, and Guatemalan French Roast.
• Ground Coffees Pre-ground coffee available in various roast profiles and blends across the Mezzaroma, Heritage, and GTV lines for B2B and retail customers.
• Espresso Coffees Dark roasted small-batch espresso blends including Black Label Espresso and Black Label Espresso Decaf, designed to produce creamy foamy crema and persistent aftertaste.
• Cold Brew Coffee Smooth, refreshing cold brew coffee offerings including RFA Certified Cold Brew and RFA Certified Cold Brew Nitro, hand-steeped for 24 hours using eco-friendly sustainable practices with 100% compostable cups and lids.
• E-Cups (Single-Serve)

Quantifiable outcome

• 300% sales increase within first year at Hilton Penn's Landing coffee lounge
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Capitol CoffeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Capitol Coffee and Ellis Coffee partnered in 2019 to build a shared vision for better customer experiences across c-stores, resorts, universities, OCS, food service and beyond. Capitol Coffee covers territory from Pittsburgh to Savannah, including Virginia, West Virginia, and the Carolinas. Together they have converted over 97 convenience store locations, achieved up to 80% converted accounts in the beverage category, and expanded into hospitality (Stonewall Resort, Glade Springs, luxury properties), education (Longwood University, Lynchburg College), senior living (The Virginian), and apartment living (Greystar, Hawthorne Residential, Bell Partners, Rangewater). Ellis provides product portfolio, turnkey solutions, co-branded marketing tools, POS support, lead gen handoffs, and on-site training.
• Philadelphia ZooflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEllis Coffee and Philadelphia Zoo partnered to launch Jambi’s Java, a Rainforest Alliance Certified, single-origin Sumatran coffee supporting the Zoo's Sumatran orangutan baby, Jambi. Jambi’s Java is sold at the Philadelphia ZooShop and available for purchase on-site. The partnership was featured on Fox 29 Philadelphia and generates earned media. Ellis Coffee also deployed their Cold Brew Trike at St. Luke's University Hospital and zoo events for community engagement.
• Philadelphia Museum of ArtflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEllis Coffee partnered with the Philadelphia Museum of Art to serve Ellis Coffee at the museum's Ellis Coffee Bar, uniting two iconic Philadelphia institutions with over 300 years of combined tradition. The partnership combines the cultural significance of the museum with the time-honored artisanal roasting expertise of Ellis Coffee. Ellis Coffee is served at the Ellis Coffee Bar, and Philadelphia Roast 12oz bags are sold at the museum gift shop. The partnership also includes co-branded marketing and brand storytelling centered on Philadelphia heritage.
• Horn & HardartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorn & Hardart partnered with Ellis Coffee to produce Horn & Hardart Automat Coffee blends, including the Historic Automat Blend (medium roast) and Chestnut Street Blend (darker roast). The partnership dates back to approximately 1943 when Ellis Coffee roasted Horn & Hardart beans after a fire damaged H&H's roasting facilities. The current collaboration was formalized to restore the iconic Automat coffee for a new generation. Ellis Coffee roasts the coffee while Horn & Hardart markets and sells the product.
• Hilton Penn's LandingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEllis Coffee partnered with Hilton Penn's Landing to remodel their coffee lounge, transforming an unused executive lounge into a thriving, distinct coffee experience. Ellis provided complete beverage solutions including equipment recommendations, product selection (brew coffee, espresso, cold brew, teas, lemonades), POS materials, brand theming, and staff training. The remodel resulted in a 300% sales increase within the first year. Hilton now serves Ellis Coffee exclusively at the lounge, with distinct separation from the lobby bar.
• IvinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIvins partnered with Ellis Coffee to create Ivins Spiced Wafer flavored coffee, a nostalgic fall flavor combining the iconic Philadelphia spiced wafer cookie with Ellis artisan roasted coffee. Available exclusively at ACME Markets, the partnership represents over 400 years of combined Philadelphia tradition (Ellis: 170+ years, Ivins: since 1846, ACME: since 1891).
• ACME MarketsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACME Markets serves as the retail distribution channel for Ellis Coffee and Ivins co-branded products, with Ivins Spiced Wafer coffee by Ellis exclusively available at ACME. ACME has long supported Ellis Coffee as a local brand in its stores, helping preserve Philadelphia's culinary heritage.
• Pletho.org (Clean Water Cafe)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEllis Coffee retail products and branded merchandise are fulfilled by Pletho.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit subsidiary of Clean Water Cafe dedicated to creating meaningful work for individuals with disabilities. Orders placed through the Pletho link on Ellis Coffee's website support this mission while fulfilling home consumer orders.
• Canteen (Compass Group North America)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEllis Coffee has been a strategic partner to Canteen (a Compass Group company) for over a decade. VP Becky Day has been instrumental in helping Canteen grow its Office Coffee Services (OCS) tenfold over the last decade. The relationship is described as a true strategic partnership where Ellis shows up consistently, not just when convenient.
• ToraniminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEllis Coffee offers Torani syrups to complement their cold brew and flavored coffee programs. Ellis mentions Torani as a complementary product offering, recommending customers ask their sales rep for more information. Torani syrups are featured in cold brew recipes on the Ellis blog.
• ONVO Convenience StoresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorONVO Convenience Stores partnered with Ellis Coffee to elevate their coffee experience, build seasonal LTO programs, and launch their own branded retail coffees. Ellis has played a pivotal role in building ONVO into a coffee destination for its customers.
• Tradecraft (Compass Group USA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTradecraft, a Compass Group USA company, has worked with Ellis Coffee for 8+ years, valuing the partnership for its consistent quality coffee and passionate brand support.
• L.C. Vending/Business Coffee ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorL.C. Vending/Business Coffee Service partnered with Ellis Coffee to expand their coffee portfolio and achieve 100% order fulfillment throughout their first year together, enabling reliable supply of Ellis top-notch coffees to their customers.
• Tony's Market (Martha's Vineyard, MA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEllis Coffee developed a custom co-branded POS program for Tony's Market linking their two family-owned business histories (Tony's Market established 1877). Ellis designed and installed a matching co-branded coffee menu board and wraps, creating a unique retail experience celebrating both brands' legacies.
• St. Luke's University HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEllis Coffee deployed their Cold Brew Trike at St. Luke's University Hospital in Bethlehem, serving free samples of cold brew as a thank-you to healthcare workers during Hospital Appreciation Week. This community engagement activity supports brand visibility and goodwill.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster with both B2B wholesale (foodservice, CPG) and DTC retail/cafes. Closest publicly visible comparable to Ellis in combining roastery-direct fresh roasting with branded consumer products and foodservice partnerships.
• Ronnoco Coffee: Privately held B2B coffee roaster serving C-stores, foodservice, and OCS — highly comparable go-to-market, customer base, and product formats to Ellis's wholesale business.
• Boyd's Coffee Company: Family-owned, multi-generational B2B coffee roaster focused on foodservice, OCS, and C-stores. Closely matches Ellis's heritage, scale, and channel mix.
• Royal Cup Coffee: Family-owned B2B specialty coffee and tea roaster serving foodservice, OCS, and hospitality — directly comparable in heritage, customer segments, and full beverage program offering.
• F. Gaviña & Sons (Gavina): Fourth-generation family-owned coffee roaster serving foodservice, private label, and retail. Comparable in ownership profile, B2B focus, and multi-line portfolio spanning premium to value.
• Counter Culture Coffee: Specialty coffee roaster with a strong B2B wholesale program to cafes, foodservice, and OCS, plus sustainability positioning (organic, direct trade) — closely comparable mission-driven specialty roaster.
• Coffee Holding Company: Public B2B coffee company roaster operating private-label, branded wholesale, and foodservice lines. Direct comparable in B2B wholesale roaster model and multi-brand product architecture.

Broad incumbents

• S&D Coffee & Tea: One of the largest U.S. B2B coffee service providers (now part of Coca-Cola's foodservice platform). Overlaps heavily in OCS, foodservice, and C-store channels but operates at significantly greater scale.
• Keurig Dr Pepper (Green Mountain Coffee Roasters): National incumbent in single-serve and roasted coffee; K-Cup-compatible single-serve production and broad OCS presence make it a direct competitive benchmark in the K-Cup and foodservice channels.

Emerging players

• Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Specialty roaster with strong wholesale and DTC/cafes presence (owned by Peet's/Nestlé). Comparable in small-batch positioning and foodservice/wholesale mix, though with national footprint and a strategic parent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ellis-coffee-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/elliscoffee_1854
• Xx.com/EllisCoffee1854
• Facebookfacebook.com/EllisCoffee1854

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ellis Coffee