I Have a Bean
I Have a Bean is a Wheaton, Illinois specialty coffee roaster founded by Pete Leonard that sources top-1% Arabica beans, roasts to order, and ships same day to U.S. consumers, subscribers, and wholesale accounts while employing formerly incarcerated people.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersWheaton, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What I Have a Bean does
I Have a Bean is a specialty coffee roaster headquartered at 655 Childs Street in Wheaton, Illinois, operating as a closely held, founder-owned business (Pete Leonard, founder). The company sources green coffee from origins including Ethiopia, Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Sumatra, and Papua New Guinea through direct partnerships such as Unitrade Coffee and Ardent Coffee Exporter, selecting only beans it characterizes as top-1% Arabica. Its core technology is a roast-to-order process: coffee is roasted only after an order is received, hand-signed and dated by the roaster, and shipped the same business day for orders placed before 11:00 am Central. A 21-day peak freshness window is communicated to customers, and the company complements coffee with full-leaf loose teas, tisanes, brewing accessories (AeroPress, Third Wave Water, Urnex cleaners), branded tumblers, and curated gift boxes produced with local Wheaton artisans.
The business runs a multi-channel go-to-market. Direct-to-consumer e-commerce on Shopify ships to all 50 U.S. states plus APO/FPO addresses; a subscription service offers a 5% discount with a self-serve dashboard for weekly to every-six-weeks deliveries; a B2B wholesale program with a 3 lb minimum and FEIN-gated portal serves cafes, restaurants, offices, schools, and churches, including custom logo blends; same-day local delivery operates within a 7-mile radius of the Wheaton plant at tiered $2-$8 fees; and an Ambassadors Club referral program drives word-of-mouth growth. Coffee is priced $26.50-$33.00 per 1 lb bag, gift boxes range from $19.75 (Tri-Pack) to $96.50 (Roast Master's), and digital gift cards are sold in $25-$100 denominations.
The company's operating model is anchored on a purpose-driven employment program that hires formerly incarcerated people to roast and ship coffee, supported by a dedicated [email protected] hiring pipeline and reinforced by more than a decade of earned media coverage (ABC 7 Chicago 2013, Fresh Cup Magazine 2015 and 2025, Daily Herald 2016, Prison Fellowship 2017, Patch Wheaton 2023, RBIJ Justice Champion, Seattle Pacific University Faith & Co. film). Headcount is 1-10 employees, no institutional funding rounds have been disclosed, and the company has no parent entity or subsidiaries. Revenue, GMV, and subscriber counts are not publicly disclosed.
I Have a Bean firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- I Have a Bean
- Legal name
- I Have a Bean
- Website
- https://ihaveabean.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- I Have a Bean is a Wheaton, Illinois specialty coffee roaster founded by Pete Leonard that sources top-1% Arabica beans, roasts to order, and ships same day to U.S. consumers, subscribers, and wholesale accounts while employing formerly incarcerated people.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
I Have a Bean industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee Roasting
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coffee (Roasted, Ground, Whole Bean) (CRADAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ)
Keywords
Where I Have a Bean is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wheaton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
I Have a Bean business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Retail: Direct-to-consumer online sales of whole bean coffee, teas, tisanes, and accessories. Single lb bags, gift boxes, brewing equipment, and swag. Orders roasted and shipped same day.
- Coffee Subscriptions: Recurring subscription orders with customizable frequency. Subscribers save 5% on every order. Full self-serve dashboard for managing deliveries, pausing, or canceling.
- Wholesale / B2B: Bulk roasted coffee for businesses including cafes, restaurants, offices, schools, churches. Offers frac-packs, custom branded blends with logos, minimum 3 lb orders. Requires FEIN registration.
- Same-Day Local Delivery: Proprietary delivery service within 7 miles of Wheaton plant for orders placed before 11:00 am Central. Delivery rates: up to 3 miles $2, 3-5 miles $5, 5-7 miles $8.
- Gift Cards: Digital gift cards delivered by email in $25, $50, $75, and $100 denominations. Never expire, redeemable for any product.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Origin Coffee - 1 lb bags |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription Orders - 5% discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Boxes - various sizes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tea Products - various sizes |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Wholesale Minimum - 3 lbs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
I Have a Bean product offering
Product offeringCore offering
I Have a Bean roasts and ships specialty coffee the same day an order is placed, sourcing beans from the top 1% of Arabica coffee worldwide. The company sells single-origin whole-bean coffees, an espresso blend, decaffeinated options, full-leaf teas and tisanes, curated gift boxes, brewing equipment and accessories, branded drinkware, and digital gift cards. Revenue is generated through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, recurring subscriptions (5% discount), a wholesale program for businesses (3-lb minimum, custom-branded blends available), and same-day local delivery within a 7-mile radius of its Wheaton, IL roasting plant.
Product overview
I Have a Bean is a specialty coffee roaster offering a portfolio of products centered on premium, roast-to-order whole bean coffees and teas. The core offerings include single-origin coffees selected from the top 1% of Arabica beans (featuring origins like Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, Sumatra, and Papua New Guinea), a medium-dark espresso blend, decaf options, and full-leaf loose teas and tisanes. The company also sells curated gift box sets (Roast Master's, Apprentice's, Barista's, Q-Grader's, Coffee Taster's, Tri-Pack, and AeroPress Gift Boxes), brewing accessories (AeroPress makers and filters, Third Wave Water mineral blends, Urnex cleaners), branded merchandise (travel tumblers, mugs), and digital gift cards. Services include a 5% discounted subscription program for recurring deliveries, a wholesale program for businesses, and an Ambassadors Club referral program. All coffee is roasted after ordering and shipped same-day, with local delivery available within 7 miles of their Wheaton, IL facility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Single Origin Coffee Collection A portfolio of premium single-origin whole-bean Arabica coffees, each with documented origin, producer, processing method, and flavor profile (e.g., Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Idido with notes of cooked berry and jasmine; Guatemala Huehuetenango with raisin, chocolate, and nut; Brazil Cerrado Mineiro with milk chocolate, toffee, and malt). Targeted at home coffee enthusiasts and wholesale buyers seeking traceable, high-scoring specialty coffees. Priced $26.50–$33.00 per 1 lb bag.
- Espresso Blend Coffee Medium to medium-dark roast espresso blend featuring Sumatra Aceh Harimau Tiger DP combined with robusta for crema and umami, inspired by classic Italian espresso bars. Sold as a 1 lb whole-bean bag at $29/lb. Aimed at home espresso brewers and cafes using the wholesale program.
- Decaf Coffee (Mexico SWP) Decaffeinated single-origin coffee from Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas), processed using the chemical-free Swiss Water Process. Earthy, caramel, and nutty flavor notes. Sold at $26.50/lb. Targeted at decaffeinated-coffee drinkers seeking premium, additive-free decaf.
- Teas and Tisanes Collection Full-leaf loose teas and caffeine-free tisanes including Czar's Samovar, Masala Chai, Earl Grey Royale, Moroccan Mint, Dragon Well, Yunnan Superior, Honey Orchid Dan Cong, and Yellow Meadow Organic. Priced per ounce with various package sizes ranging $9.25–$40.25. Targeted at tea drinkers who shop alongside their premium coffee purchases.
- Coffee Subscription Service Recurring coffee subscription allowing customers to schedule automatic deliveries of their preferred coffees at frequencies ranging from weekly to every six weeks. Subscribers receive an automatic 5% discount on every order and have access to a self-serve dashboard to pause, skip, or modify deliveries. Targeted at regular home-brewing coffee enthusiasts who want uninterrupted supply of freshly roasted coffee.
- Wholesale Coffee Program B2B wholesale program supplying bulk-roasted coffee to cafes, restaurants, offices, schools, and churches. Minimum order is 3 lbs per variety. Business accounts must register with an FEIN on a dedicated wholesale portal. Buyers can request custom blends featuring their business logo. Frac-pack format is available for foodservice use. Targeted at foodservice and institutional buyers seeking a differentiated, mission-aligned coffee partner.
- I Have a Bean Gift Card Digital gift cards delivered by email in $25, $50, $75, and $100 denominations. Never expire and are redeemable for any product in the store. Targeted at gift-givers purchasing for premium-coffee enthusiasts.
- Coffee Gift Boxes A collection of curated coffee gift boxes — Roast Master's, Apprentice's, Barista's, Q-Grader's, Coffee Taster's, Tri-Pack, and AeroPress Gift Box — each bundling freshly roasted coffee with accessories (Pakt travel tumbler, mug, AeroPress brewer) and/or coffee-infused confections (gourmet chocolate, caramels). Priced $19.75–$96.50. Targeted at gift-givers and coffee enthusiasts seeking curated premium experiences.
Quantifiable outcome
- Same-day roasting and shipping for orders before 11am Central
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use I Have a Bean
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
I Have a Bean technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
I Have a Bean partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Four Brothers Hand Crafted ChocolatescoreLocal Wheaton chocolatier custom-makes coffee-infused gourmet chocolate for I Have a Bean gift boxes. Enhances chocolate with freshly roasted ground coffee. Products include milk and dark chocolate squares.
- Grandpa Frank'scoreLocal artisan shop producing buttery-smooth coffee caramels infused with I Have a Bean cold-brew coffee. Products include 4-count sampler boxes and 15-count boxes with coffee beans.
- Unitrade CoffeecoreGuatemala sourcing partner maintaining close connection with local producers and supporting regional coffee infrastructure improvement. Sources Huehuetenango region coffees.
- Ardent Coffee ExportercoreOperates Idido Washing Station in Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia. 1200 farmers deliver cherry during harvest season. Supports Ardent Children Center orphanage with $0.10 per pound from Malebo Project.
- Wheaton Chamber of CommerceminorProud member of local Wheaton Chamber of Commerce for business networking and community connection.
- Fresh Cup MagazineminorIndustry publication that has featured I Have a Bean multiple times, including early 2015 feature 'Out of Jail, Into Espresso' and 2025 feature on second-chance employment.
- Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ)minorJustice-focused organization that featured I Have a Bean in Justice Champion Spotlight, highlighting founder Pete Leonard and the company's second-chances mission.
- Seattle Pacific University Faith & Co.minorProduced short documentary film 'The Top 1%: I Have a Bean' exploring coffee, redemption, and faith in business.
- Prison FellowshipminorFeatured I Have a Bean in 2017 article 'Quality Coffee by Returning Neighbors' and Second Chance Month Report featuring company among national second-chance employment leaders.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
I Have a Bean competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Customer concentration
I Have a Bean social profiles
Digital presenceI Have a Bean financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
I Have a Bean leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
I Have a Bean funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
I Have a Bean 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 I Have a Bean
What does I Have a Bean do?
I Have a Bean roasts and ships specialty coffee the same day an order is placed, sourcing beans from the top 1% of Arabica coffee worldwide. The company sells single-origin whole-bean coffees, an espresso blend, decaffeinated options, full-leaf teas and tisanes, curated gift boxes, brewing equipment and accessories, branded drinkware, and digital gift cards. Revenue is generated through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, recurring subscriptions (5% discount), a wholesale program for businesses (3-lb minimum, custom-branded blends available), and same-day local delivery within a 7-mile radius of its Wheaton, IL roasting plant.
Is I Have a Bean a public or private company?
I Have a Bean is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was I Have a Bean founded?
I Have a Bean was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is I Have a Bean based?
I Have a Bean is headquartered in Wheaton, United States, in the North America region.
How does I Have a Bean make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Retail is the primary driver. The others are coffee Subscriptions, wholesale / B2B, same-Day Local Delivery and gift Cards.
Does I Have a Bean have an API?
No public API is recorded for I Have a Bean.
What industry is I Have a Bean in?
I Have a Bean's product category is Specialty Coffee Roasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAHAG, Coffee (Roasted, Ground, Whole Bean), with a secondary code of AFAFADAJ, Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing. Its NAICS code is 31192 and its SIC code is 2080.