What Caffe Cagliari does

Caffe Cagliari (Caffe Cagliari S.p.A.) is a privately held, family-owned Italian coffee roasting company founded in 1909 by Ambrogio Cagliari in Modena, where it remains headquartered. The company is now in its fourth generation of family ownership under Amministratore Delegato Alessandra Cagliari, with approximately 80 employees producing an estimated 150 million cups annually and a market presence in over 40 countries. Its registered office is at Via Emilia Est 1129, Modena, with an administrative office at Via Giordano 127 in the same city.

The core business is small-batch and industrial coffee roasting using a proprietary "separate roasting" methodology — each origin is roasted individually with a temperature/time curve tuned to its characteristics and blended only after roasting, according to recipes maintained by the Cagliari family across four generations. Finished products are sealed using an exclusive high-pressure valve packaging technology developed in 2006 with Goglio S.p.A., which the company cites as providing ten times the aroma retention of standard coffee valves. The product portfolio spans the HQ - Alta Qualita premium line for hospitality professionals, core blends (Silver Bar, Crem Espresso, Decaffeinato, Gran Caffe, Gran Rossa), specialty lines (Bottega del Caffe, Caffe Vittoria, Puro 44 organic, Equipa Frutado/Especiado), four single-origin offerings (Brasile, Papua Nuova Guinea, Santo Domingo, Costa Rica) and four capsule systems: the professional Caffitaly-based Capsule Sistema 10+ with double-filter extraction, Nespresso-compatible aluminum capsules (launched 2023), Lavazza A Modo Mio-compatible capsules, and E.S.E. pods. The company also operates a Training Academy covering barista, latte art, brewing, and bar-management courses, and maintains a coffee-machine museum inaugurated for the 2009 centenary.

Caffe Cagliari generates revenue primarily through (1) one-time B2B sales of coffee blends, beans, ground coffee, and capsules to HoReCa professionals (bars, restaurants, hotels, cafes) through a dedicated field sales force that provides technical consulting on equipment and extraction, (2) direct-to-consumer B2C e-commerce via shopcaffecagliari.com in Italy, and (3) wholesale distribution through Italian large retail chains (GDO), specialty coffee stores, and international distributors serving 40+ countries. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is conveyed on inquiry or via the online shop. Marketing and commercial outreach is multi-channel, spanning the Training Academy, trade shows (HostMilano, Gulfood, NRA, Sirha, CafeShow Seoul), newsletter, and organic social, and is anchored in heritage storytelling — reinforced by the 2023 inscription in the Register of Historic Brands of National Interest and a stack of food-safety and religious certifications (EU organic 2019, Halal/Kosher 2019, BRC and IFS 2021). The company has no outside institutional shareholders, no disclosed funding rounds, and no M&A activity in the available record.

Name

Caffe Cagliari

Legal name

Caffè Cagliari S.p.A.

Website

https://caffecagliari.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Caffe Cagliari is a fourth-generation, family-owned Italian coffee roaster founded in 1909 in Modena, employing ~80 people, producing 150M cups annually across 40+ countries and serving HoReCa professionals and home consumers through direct B2B sales, e-commerce, and distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Coffee Roasting

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Coffee Blending & Flavoring (AFAFADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Single-Serve Coffee (Pods, Capsules) (CRADAHAH)

Keywords

• Coffee roasting
• Espresso blends
• Coffee capsules
• Barista training
• Single-origin coffee

Headquarters

HQ city

Modena

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. B2B Coffee Product Sales: Sale of coffee blends, beans, ground coffee, and capsules to HoReCa professionals (hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars). Products include premium lines (HQ - High Quality), standard blends, single-origin coffees, and capsule systems.
2. B2C E-commerce Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through the company's e-commerce platform (shopcaffecagliari.com) for private individuals purchasing coffee for home use, including beans, ground coffee, capsules, and compatible pods.
3. Retail Distribution: Distribution through large retail chains (GDO), specialized coffee shops, and retail stores. Products are sold through traditional retail channels alongside the company's own e-commerce platform.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Caffè Cagliari is an Italian coffee roasting company that sources green coffee, roasts and blends coffee beans, and packages them as beans, ground coffee, capsules, and pods for HoReCa professionals (bars, restaurants, hotels, cafes) and private consumers. The portfolio spans premium HQ - Alta Qualità professional blends, core Caffè Cagliari blends, single-origin coffees, organic and specialty lines, and capsule systems compatible with Nespresso, Lavazza A Modo Mio, and Caffitaly machines, complemented by a Training Academy for baristas.

Product overview

Caffè Cagliari is an Italian coffee roaster founded in 1909, producing over 150 million cups annually with a workforce of 80 people. The company operates a multi-tier product portfolio centered on coffee blends for professionals and consumers. The core offerings include: (1) HQ - Alta Qualità premium line for hospitality professionals featuring Superoro and Espresso Bar with exclusive high-pressure valve packaging; (2) Core Caffè Cagliari branded blends including Silver Bar, Crem Espresso, Decaffeinato, Gran Caffè, and Gran Rossa; (3) Specialty lines including Bottega del Caffè, Caffè Vittoria, Puro 44 (organic 100% Arabica), and Equipa (Frutado and Especiado); (4) Single-origin coffees under Caffè Gourmet featuring Brasile, Papua Nuova Guinea, Santo Domingo, and Costa Rica; (5) Capsule solutions including Capsule Sistema 10+ (Caffitaly System), Nespresso-compatible capsules, Lavazza A Modo Mio-compatible capsules, and pods; (6) Home products for moka and espresso preparation. The company also operates a Training Academy offering barista and coffee professional courses. All products utilize separate roasting methodology where each coffee origin is roasted individually before blending, and feature proprietary high-pressure valve packaging technology for aroma preservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Equipa: Premium coffee blend line including Frutado and Especiado, made from 100% Arabica coffees sourced internationally, targeted at discerning coffee lovers worldwide.

Products and services

• HQ - Alta Qualità (High Quality) Premium product line exclusively for hospitality professionals (bars, restaurants, hotels), featuring the Superoro and Espresso Bar blends in redesigned packaging with high-pressure aroma valve technology in a 1,250g eco-friendly format.
• Caffè Cagliari Core Blends (Silver Bar, Crem Espresso, Decaffeinato) Core Caffè Cagliari blended coffees including Silver Bar (strong caramel and dark chocolate notes), Crem Espresso (bitter cocoa, walnut, and dark chocolate notes), and Decaffeinato (caffeine-free hazelnut and caramel blend). Targeted at HoReCa professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150,000,000 cups consumed annually worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rise Against Hunger (RAH)minorOthers · 1 January 2022Charitable partnership for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Caffe Cagliari organized fundraising events and donated coffee for meal kit assembly and distribution to affected populations.
• Goglio S.p.A.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2006Partnership with Goglio S.p.A. for the development of exclusive high-pressure valve packaging technology. This valve system, developed in 2006, provides 10x superior sealing compared to standard valves, allowing longer retention of gases released by freshly roasted beans and resulting in enhanced aroma and superior cup quality.
• Caffitaly SystemcoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensing and use of Caffitaly System double-filter capsule technology for the Caffe Cagliari 10+ professional catering line. The dual-filter system enables consistent espresso extraction with the upper filter distributing water evenly and the lower filter ensuring correct backpressure.
• Modena VolleycoreOthersLong-standing sports sponsorship partnership spanning 18+ years. Caffe Cagliari is jersey sponsor and official coffee of Modena Volley volleyball team. Partnership includes jersey branding, PalaPanini presence, and dedicated events like Caffe Cagliari Day. Both entities represent Modena excellence.
• CHIC - Charming Italian ChefminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CHIC association that brings together approximately 100 culinary professionals including over 50 Michelin stars. Caffe Cagliari shares values of simplicity, sustainability, and healthiness with the association.
• Pietro GrindersminorOthersPartnership for coffee grinding equipment and demonstrations during events like Caffe Cagliari Day at PalaPanini. Equipment specialists collaborate on experiential coffee demonstrations.
• EquipacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipa is a sub-brand line of Caffe Cagliari featuring Frutado and Especiado blends. The line represents a journey around the world with unique Arabica combinations. Both Equipa blends received Gold Medal at International Coffee Tasting 2021.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• illycaffè: Premium Italian espresso roaster with strong HoReCa and global retail presence, plus illy Issimo capsule systems. Comparable on premium positioning, single-origin sourcing, and international distribution model.
• Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group: One of the largest Italian coffee groups (owns Segafredo Zanetti, Boncafé, etc.), with vertically integrated roasting and global B2B distribution. Comparable as a scaled Italian roasting competitor with HoReCa and private-label exposure.
• Lavazza: Italy's largest coffee roaster; directly comparable Italian heritage brand operating across HoReCa, retail, and capsule (A Modo Mio) channels with global distribution. Caffè Cagliari competes head-to-head in Italian professional accounts and capsule single-serve formats.
• Kimbo: Naples-based Italian coffee roaster serving HoReCa and retail, with capsule offerings. Comparable in business model, customer base, and Italian heritage narrative.
• Pellini Caffè: Verona-based Italian coffee roaster with HoReCa focus, capsule lines, and international distribution. Closely comparable in scale, product mix (beans, ground, pods, capsules), and channel strategy.
• Segafredo Zanetti: Italian coffee roaster with deep HoReCa presence and proprietary Zanetti capsule system. Highly comparable in target customer (bars/restaurants), channel mix, and Italian heritage positioning.

Broad incumbents

• JDE Peet's: Global coffee and tea group owning L'OR, Jacobs, Douwe Egberts, Peet's. Comparable as a broad incumbent with HoReCa, retail, and capsule offerings across geographies where Cagliari distributes.
• Nestlé Nespresso: Global capsule-system incumbent with proprietary machines and brand power. Caffè Cagliari is a Nespresso-compatible capsule producer (aluminum Nespresso line launched 2023), making Nespresso both a channel partner and a broad competitive incumbent in single-serve.

Others

• La Marzocco: Premium Italian espresso machine manufacturer with strong specialty-coffee/hoReCa network. Adjacent enabler: La Marzocco provides the equipment Caffè Cagliari's training academy and HoReCa customers operate, often specified together in third-wave venues.
• Bialetti Industrie: Iconic Italian coffee culture brand (moka pots) and espresso/coffee machine maker. Adjacent peer: complementary rather than competitive, but represents the same Italian "coffee ritual" brand heritage and HoReCa/home channel overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CaffeCagliari
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caffe-cagliari

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Caffe Cagliari