What Fratello Coffee Roasters does

Fratello Coffee Roasters is a family-owned specialty coffee roaster headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, with roots tracing to 1974 when Cam Prefontaine founded Fontaine Beverages. The current entity was formed in 1997 when brothers Chris, Jason, and Russ Prefontaine consolidated Custom Gourmet Coffee and Espuccino Imports into Fratello Coffee Roasters, narrowing the team from 85 to 18 to refocus on premium coffee and wholesale support. The company sources high-elevation specialty coffees (1,200–2,200 meters) through long-term Direct Trade relationships, paying farmers 25–35% above Fairtrade rates, and roasts in small batches using vintage 1960s Probat drum roasters combined with modern roasting profiling techniques.

The business operates a multi-channel commercial model. The direct-to-consumer channel sells freshly roasted coffee, the Idle tea sub-brand, Nespresso-compatible capsules, chocolate-covered beans, brewing gear, syrups, and specialty drink mixes through an e-commerce platform with a flexible subscription service offering 10% recurring-customer discounts and free shipping across Canada. The wholesale B2B channel supplies direct-trade coffee to cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices, grocery retailers, and airports across Western Canada, bundled with commercial espresso equipment distribution (Slayer, Nuova Simonelli, La Cimbali, Mahlkonig, Fetco), installation, 24/7 technical support, and barista training. A consulting and training arm provides café development, menu engineering, equipment selection, and multi-location standardization. Trademarks include Godfather Espresso and Godfather Espresso Dark.

Fratello's product portfolio and brand reach have been shaped by two notable corporate moves: the 2007 creation of the Slayer Espresso machine (a pressure-profiling espresso technology now majority-controlled and manufactured by Italy's La Cimbali), and the 2011 launch of the Analog Coffee café concept, which the family divested in 2020 to refocus on wholesale roasting and consultation while remaining the exclusive roaster for Analog's signature blends. The company is privately held by the Prefontaine family with no institutional investors and reports no public financials.

Name

Fratello Coffee Roasters

Legal name

Fratello Coffee Roasters

Website

https://fratellocoffee.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fratello Coffee Roasters is a family-owned specialty coffee roaster founded in 1974 and based in Calgary, Alberta, sourcing high-elevation direct-trade coffee and serving wholesale clients across Western Canada and direct-to-consumer customers across Canada through e-commerce, subscription, equipment distribution, and consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Coffee Roastery

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Coffee Blending & Flavoring (AFAFADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE), Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI), Coffee, Tea & Cocoa Beverage Wholesale (AFAIAGAD), Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Coffee Manufacturing (AFAFADAE)

Keywords

• Specialty coffee roasting
• Direct trade coffee
• Wholesale coffee supply
• Coffee subscription service
• Espresso equipment distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales of roasted coffee beans, tea, accessories, and specialty drink mixes through the company's e-commerce platform. Products include single-origin coffees, espresso blends, Nespresso capsules, chocolate-covered coffee beans, brewing gear, and more.
2. Coffee Subscription: Recurring subscription service offering 10% discount on regular orders with flexible delivery schedules (every 2-5 weeks). Customers can customize, pause, or cancel anytime. Includes free shipping on qualifying orders across Canada.
3. Wholesale Coffee Sales: B2B wholesale supply of direct trade coffee and tea to cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices, grocery retailers, and airports across Western Canada. Minimum order $250+ CAD with special pricing.
4. Commercial Equipment Sales & Service: Sales and distribution of commercial espresso machines (Slayer, Nuova Simonelli, La Cimbali), grinders (Mazzer, Mahlkonig), brewers (Fetco), and accessories. Includes 24/7 technical support through local service partners.
5. Coffee Consulting & Training: Professional consulting services including new café development, coffee program evaluation, equipment selection, barista training, menu development, and multi-location standardization. Coffee seminars and facility tours also offered.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Fratello Coffee Roasters is a Calgary-based specialty coffee roaster that sources green coffee directly from high-elevation farms (1,200–2,200 m), paying 25–35% above Fairtrade rates, and roasts in small batches on vintage 1960s Probat drum roasters paired with modern profiling techniques. The company sells freshly roasted whole bean and ground coffee blends and single-origins direct-to-consumer via e-commerce and subscription, and supplies wholesale coffee, commercial espresso/brewing equipment, barista training, and coffee consulting services to cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices, grocery retailers, and airports primarily across Western Canada. Supporting retail lines include Nespresso-compatible capsules, the Idle artisan tea sub-brand, chocolate-covered coffee beans, brewing gear, syrups, and specialty drink mixes.

Product overview

Fratello Coffee Roasters is a family-owned Canadian coffee company offering a diversified portfolio of coffee and tea products. The core offering centers on freshly roasted whole bean coffees available in light, medium, and dark roast profiles, with flagship blends like Godfather Espresso Classic and specialty single-origins. The business operates on a direct trade model, sourcing from farms at 1,200-2,200 meters elevation. Supporting products include the Idle tea sub-brand, Nespresso-compatible capsules, chocolate-covered coffee beans, brewing accessories, syrups, and specialty drink mixes. Services include a flexible subscription program with 10% discounts, comprehensive wholesale services for commercial clients (cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices), and professional coffee consulting and training. The company also supplies commercial espresso equipment including Slayer and Nuova Simonelli machines. The product ecosystem is anchored by the roasting operation in Calgary, Alberta, with products distributed across Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Idle: Artisan tea blends including Chai, Green teas, classic herbal blends, and specialty drink mixes. Idle products include Earl Grey Cream, Chai Concentrate, Matcha Powder, and various herbal teas.

Products and services

• Godfather Espresso™ Classic Fratello's top-selling medium roast espresso blend with caramel sweetness and milk-chocolate richness, balanced for espresso and drip coffee. Sourced from Guatemala Montecristo, Colombian Bolivar, Nicaraguan Los Placeres, and Peru Organic COEX. Available as whole bean or ground in 12oz and 2lb bags, and as Nespresso-compatible capsules. Priced at $20.00+ per bag, $18.00 on subscription.
• Colombian El Paraíso (Pink Bourbon Light Roast) Limited release light-roast single-origin Pink Bourbon from Finca El Paraíso in Cauca, Colombia. Notes of peach, pink lemonade, caramel, and tropical fruit. Processed with advanced washed fermentation and thermal shock. Priced at $27.45.
• Bullrider Blend Medium-dark roast blend with full body and caramelly notes featuring dark chocolate and roasted hazelnut, made with Central American coffee. Priced at $20.00+.
• French Saigon Dark Roast Bold dark roast blend with rich, velvety body and notes of liquorice and dark cocoa. Combines Central and South American coffee. Priced at $20.00+.
• Coffee Subscription Service Flexible recurring coffee subscription delivering freshly roasted coffee on customer-defined schedules (every 2, 3, 4, or 5 weeks) with a 10% subscriber discount, free shipping on qualifying orders, and full customization, pause, or cancellation control. Available across Canada with regional free shipping thresholds.
• Nespresso Compatible Coffee Pods Recyclable aluminum capsules compatible with Nespresso Original Line machines. Available in CLASSIC Godfather Espresso, Guatemala Montecristo, DARK Godfather Espresso, and DECAF Godfather Espresso varieties. Priced from $13.49+.
• Idle Artisan Tea Blends Artisan tea line including Earl Grey Cream, Chai Concentrate, Matcha Powder, Berry Yerba Maté, Emerald Triple Berry Green Tea, and other herbal blends sourced from global tea estates. Available in loose leaf and tea bag formats, priced $15.11–$33.50.
• Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Chocolate-covered espresso beans made with Fratello's Godfather Espresso dark roast. Available in Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans and Magic Beans varieties.
• Brewing Gear Collection Coffee brewing equipment and accessories including Hario Buono Kettles ($64.99), Hario V60-02 Dripper Ceramic ($39.99), AeroPress Micro-filters (350 pack, $12.99), Chemex brewers and filters, and various grinder options for home and professional use.
• Syrups & Sauces Flavoring products including 1883 syrups (Vanilla, Sugar Free Vanilla, Honey, Caramel, Salted Caramel, Hazelnut, Raspberry, Lavender), Hollander chocolate sauce, and Smartfruit refresher concentrates.
• Specialty Drink Mixes Functional and wellness beverages including Emberk Mushroom Coffee and Latte, Buzzd Nutrition functional blends (Focus, Immunity Hot Chocolate, Vitality), and Smartfruit refresher concentrates.
• Fratello Gift Cards Digital gift cards available in customizable denominations for gifting Fratello products.
• Wholesale Coffee Services Comprehensive B2B wholesale program providing fresh roasted coffee, commercial espresso equipment, installation, barista training, preventative maintenance, coffee consulting, menu development, and ongoing operational support for cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices, grocery retailers, and airports primarily across Western Canada. Minimum order $250+ CAD with special pricing.
• Coffee Consulting & Training Professional consulting services including new café development, coffee program evaluation, equipment selection, barista training, menu development, and multi-location standardization. Also offers coffee seminars, cupping sessions, and facility tours.
• Commercial Espresso and Coffee Equipment Equipment sales, distribution, and consultation including commercial espresso machines (Slayer, Nuova Simonelli, La Cimbali), grinders (Mazzer, Mahlkonig, including EK43 and E80W GBS), brewers (Fetco, including CBS 2240), and water filtration systems. Includes 24-hour emergency technical support through local service partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Direct Trade partners receive 25-35% more than Fairtrade published rates
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Corbeaux BakeryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Another Fratello venture that shared Analog Coffee's commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Corbeaux provided handcrafted baked goods using locally-sourced organic grains and century-old techniques, complementing Analog's artisanal coffee offerings.
• Analog CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Fratello created Analog Coffee in 2011 as a café concept to showcase their exceptional coffees. Opened flagship at 740-17th Ave SW in Calgary in 2012. Analog won Calgary's Best Coffee Shop for three consecutive years and was featured on BuzzFeed's 'Best Coffee Shops in the World' list. Fratello sold Analog in 2020 but remains the exclusive roaster for Analog's signature blends.
• La CimbalicoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2007Slayer Espresso machine brand, originally created by Fratello in 2007, is now majority-controlled and manufactured by La Cimbali, Italy's oldest espresso machine company. This partnership enables global distribution of the pressure profiling espresso machine technology that Fratello pioneered.
• Food for the HungryminorOthersJason, Russ, and Chris Prefontaine traveled to Ethiopia with Food for the Hungry to begin a 7-year sponsorship of the region of Belo, Ethiopia, visiting with village communities and supporting development initiatives.
• Nuova SimonellicoreTechnology or IntegrationFratello has longstanding distribution relationship with Nuova Simonelli for commercial espresso equipment. Espuccino Imports (founded by Prefontaine brothers in 1991) became North America's third-largest distributor of Nuova Simonelli espresso machines before merging into Fratello.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Intelligentsia Coffee: Pioneering direct-trade specialty coffee roaster with wholesale accounts, cafés, and barista-training programs in the US. Comparable on direct-trade philosophy, premium positioning, and B2B service depth.
• Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters: Calgary-based specialty coffee roaster competing directly in the same city and Western Canadian wholesale market as Fratello, with comparable direct-trade sourcing and café/retail presence. Closest geographic and product peer.
• 49th Parallel Roasters: Canadian specialty coffee roaster offering wholesale distribution and direct-to-consumer coffee, Nespresso-compatible pods, and wholesale accounts across Canada. Highly comparable model to Fratello in geography, channels, and premium positioning.
• Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Iconic US specialty coffee roaster with direct-trade sourcing, wholesale accounts, cafés, and a strong subscription/DTC business. Highly comparable on sourcing philosophy, product range, and channel diversification.
• La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster with wholesale accounts, cafés, RTD draft lattes, and Nespresso-compatible pods. Directly comparable on pod-product expansion and multi-channel specialty positioning.
• Blue Bottle Coffee: Premium specialty coffee brand with subscription DTC, wholesale, and café operations emphasizing freshness and origin transparency. Comparable brand-led, freshness-driven specialty approach.
• Reunion Coffee Roasters: Canadian specialty coffee roaster with wholesale, retail, and direct-trade sourcing, operating cafes and an e-commerce subscription program. Closely comparable channel mix and premium-positioning.
• Counter Culture Coffee: US specialty coffee roaster focused on direct-trade sourcing, wholesale accounts, and extensive coffee education/training programs. Directly comparable on B2B service model and direct-trade positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Starbucks Reserve: Global incumbent offering premium small-lot specialty coffees through Reserve Roasteries, competing with Fratello for premium at-home and wholesale specialty accounts. Provides scale benchmark but does not specialize in Fratello's direct-trade micro-lot niche.

Regional players

• Balzac's Coffee Roasters: Canadian specialty coffee roaster primarily serving Ontario with cafés and wholesale accounts. Comparable product and channel model, but operates in a different region from Fratello's Western Canada base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FratelloCoffee
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FratelloCoffeeRoasters
• Facebookfacebook.com/Fratellocoffeeroasters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fratello-coffee-corp
• Instagraminstagram.com/fratellocoffeeroaster
• TikToktiktok.com/@fratellocoffeeroasters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Fratello Coffee Roasters