One Line Coffee
One Line Coffee is a family-owned Columbus, Ohio specialty coffee roaster operating three owned retail cafes, a 50+ Ohio wholesale partner network, and nationwide e-commerce subscriptions serving specialty coffee enthusiasts and independent cafes, with adjacent equipment sales via Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What One Line Coffee does
One Line Coffee is a family-owned specialty coffee roaster and cafe operator founded in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio by Mark and Dave Forman, building on their 2003 River Road Coffeehouse origins. The company roasts single-origin and blended specialty coffees using Loring S15 Falcon and S35 Kestrel production roasters plus a Roest P100 electric roaster for profile development, with moisture, density, water activity, and colorimeter instrumentation used to lock production profiles after 10-15 development roasts; all coffee is roasted to order against incoming orders rather than held as pre-roasted inventory.
The company operates a three-channel go-to-market: (1) direct-to-consumer sales through a nationwide e-commerce webstore and a portfolio of curated, recurring, and gift-bundle subscriptions priced $33-$56.50 per shipment, (2) wholesale partnerships with 50+ cafes, bakeries, restaurants, offices, and retailers across Ohio under a cost-plus pricing model with comprehensive launch and operational support, and (3) three owned retail cafes in Columbus — Short North (flagship with a cupping and training lab), Capital Square (Huntington Office Building lobby), and Franklinton at River & Rich (2,500 sq ft with on-site OLC Kitchens for bakery/pastry production) — plus 7 sister River Road Coffeehouse locations in Licking and Knox County. Adjacent revenue lines include the Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment sister company (launched 2023) for equipment sales and service, an 8-module Professional Barista Development Program plus public classes at the Short North lab, and specialty tea distribution partnerships with Spirit Tea and Petali Tea.
One Line Coffee maintains organic certification through the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) since 2014, Specialty Coffee Association membership since 2012, and 15+ years of sourcing relationships with importers including Crop to Cup, Cafe Imports, JNP Coffee, Los Volcanes/Falcon, Clearpath/Algrano, Coffee Quest, and PNG Coffee Exports, supporting direct producer relationships in Burundi, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, Brazil, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, family-operated by the Formans with Stacey Forman Donnelly (MBA, Ohio State) overseeing finance since 2013, and directs a Smallholder Project Fund that adds $0.05/lb on designated coffees toward producer-community projects including a water pump in PNG and a corn milling project at Burundi's Hafi Washing Station.
One Line Coffee firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- One Line Coffee
- Legal name
- One Line Coffee
- Website
- https://onelinecoffee.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- One Line Coffee is a family-owned Columbus, Ohio specialty coffee roaster operating three owned retail cafes, a 50+ Ohio wholesale partner network, and nationwide e-commerce subscriptions serving specialty coffee enthusiasts and independent cafes, with adjacent equipment sales via Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
One Line Coffee industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee Roasting
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (722515)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave) (THAFADAA), Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI)
Keywords
Where One Line Coffee is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
One Line Coffee business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Retail Coffee Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of roasted whole bean coffee through e-commerce webstore and 3 owned retail cafe locations. Products include single origin coffees, espresso blends, and cold brew. Free shipping on orders over $42.
- Coffee Subscriptions: Three subscription options: Curated (roaster-selected coffees based on roast preference), Recurring (ongoing favorites like house coffee and espresso blends), and Gift Bundles (3 or 6 month gifting). Subscriptions ship on Tuesdays with monthly or bi-monthly cadence.
- Wholesale Coffee: Bulk coffee sales to cafes, restaurants, offices, and bakeries. Cost-plus pricing model to minimize markups. Includes comprehensive support services such as site selection, equipment acquisition, layout design, barista training, and menu development.
- Equipment Sales and Service: Sales and service of espresso machines, coffee brewers, and grinders through Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment (OSCE) subsidiary. Wholesale customers receive additional discounts on equipment pricing and labor rates.
- Training Services: Professional Barista Development Program with 8 modules, wholesale customer training, public classes at Short North lab, and workshops for retail customers. Custom training programs for baristas and servers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Origin Coffees |
| Subscription | Monthly | Curated Subscriptions |
| Subscription | Monthly | Recurring Subscriptions |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Gift Bundles |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cold Brew Products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
One Line Coffee product offering
Product offeringCore offering
One Line Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster and cafe operator in Ohio that sources green coffee from smallholder producers in more than 10 countries and roasts to order using Loring S15/S35 and Roest P100 roasters with data-driven quality control. The company operates three retail cafes in Columbus, sells direct to consumers via an e-commerce webstore with curated and recurring subscriptions plus multi-month gift bundles, and runs a wholesale program providing site selection, cafe layout, equipment, barista training, and menu development to partner cafes, restaurants, offices, and bakeries across Ohio.
Product overview
One Line Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster and cafe operator based in Ohio, founded in 2009 by Dave and Mark Forman. The company operates three retail cafe locations in Columbus, Ohio (Short North, Capital Square, and Franklinton at River & Rich) and offers a comprehensive coffee portfolio centered on single-origin specialty coffees sourced from smallholder farmers worldwide. The product lineup includes single-origin coffees across multiple roast profiles (light, medium, dark), three signature espresso blends (Method Blend Espresso, Process Blend Espresso, and Technique Blend Decaf Espresso), cold brew offerings, and specialty teas through partnerships with Petali Tea and Spirit Tea. Additional services include curated and recurring subscription programs, gift bundles, wholesale partnership programs for cafes and restaurants with full operational support, barista training and education programs, equipment sales and service through Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment, and a Smallholder Project Fund supporting producer communities. The company roasts to order using Loring roasters and maintains organic certification through the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association since 2014.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Single Origin Coffees Single origin specialty coffees from smallholder producers in over 10 countries, including Burundi Hafi, Brasil Rio Brilhante (Limão Rosa and Mundo Novo), Colombia Atunkaa Decaf, Colombia Pink Bourbon Cold Fermentation Natural and Washed, Costa Rica Sabana Redonda, Ethiopia Banko Taratu, Ethiopia Bekele Belaychow, Guatemala San Carlos (House Roast), Papua New Guinea Mong, Perú Gran Amoju Decaf, and Perú San Fernando. Available across light, medium, and dark roast profiles with natural, washed, honey, anaerobic, and decaffeinated processing methods.
- Single Origin Espresso - Ethiopia Bekele Belaychow A single origin espresso from Bekele Belaychow's Finchawa plot in Bensa, Sidamo, Ethiopia, made from Ethiopia Heirloom 74158 variety and naturally processed. Tasting notes include Blackberry, Chocolate, Stone Fruit, and Syrupy.
- Espresso Blends Three signature espresso blends: Method Blend Espresso (Ethiopia Bekele Belaychow natural, El Salvador Alvarez Family washed, PNG AAK Highlands washed) with Chocolate Sauce, Berry Compote, Rooibos, and Stone Fruit notes; Process Blend Espresso (Burundi Hafi and Ethiopia Bekele Belaychow) with Stone Fruit, Milk Chocolate, Strawberry, and Black Tea notes; and Technique Blend Decaf Espresso (Colombia Atunkaa sugarcane decaf and Peru Gran Amoju Mountain Water decaf) with Apple, Caramel, Orange, and Cinnamon Sugar notes.
- Cold Brew Coffees Coarse-ground cold brew versions of signature coffees pre-ground for cold brew brewing devices, including Guatemala San Carlos Cold Brew and Method Blend Espresso Cold Brew (containing El Salvador Alvarez Family washed Bourbon coffee).
- Curated Coffee Subscription Subscription service where customers self-select roast level (Light, Medium/Dark, Full Variety, Decaf, or Espresso) and shipment cadence, with One Line roasters selecting the specific 12-ounce pouches for each shipment. Available in 2 or 3 pouch configurations with free shipping included. Ships on Tuesdays.
- Recurring Coffee Subscription Subscription for ongoing favorite coffees including Colombia el Progreso house coffee, Method Blend Espresso, and Process Blend Espresso. Available in monthly or bi-monthly frequencies with 2 or 3 pouches per shipment.
- Gift Bundles Three-month or six-month gift bundles featuring two 12-ounce pouches per monthly shipment. Options include Colombia el Progreso House Coffee or Method Blend Espresso, priced $96-$99 for 3-month and $192-$198 for 6-month terms. Includes free shipping within the US.
- Wholesale Coffee Program Comprehensive wholesale partnership for coffeehouses, bakeries, restaurants, and offices, including site selection, cafe layout, equipment selection and installation, counter design, menu development, barista training, and financial projections support. Uses a cost-plus pricing model to minimize wholesale markups. Dedicated Director of Wholesale and Customer Service Manager handle account relationships.
- Barista Training and Education Professional Barista Development Program with 8 separate modules covering brewing, preparation, customer engagement, and coffee storytelling, plus wholesale customer training, public classes at the Short North training lab, and workshops for retail customers. Custom training programs available for baristas and servers.
- Equipment Sales and Service (Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment) Sales and service of espresso machines, coffee brewers, and grinders through sister company Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment (OSCE). Includes installation, calibration, programming, and dial-in services. Wholesale customers receive additional discounts on equipment pricing and labor rates.
- Green Coffee for Home Roasters Green coffee sold to home roasters in 1-pound increments, available in Guatemala San Carlos and Brasil Rio Brilhante Limão Rosa varieties.
- Specialty Teas and Cascara Specialty tea and cascara offerings including Spirit Tea Kodemari Matcha (stone-ground Japanese matcha from Hoshino Village, Yame, Fukuoka), Petali Tea varieties (Earl Grey Supreme, Cranberry Fruit, Traditional Chai, Cosmopolitan Black, Green Passion), and Nicaragua Gold Mountain Pacamara Cascara (coffee cherry tea with Apricot, Pomegranate, Apple, and Syrupy notes).
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ wholesale partner locations across Ohio
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use One Line Coffee
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
One Line Coffee technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
One Line Coffee partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Crop to CupcoreImporting partner enabling direct relationships with producers in Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Ethiopia. Worked with One Line to finance pulpers for producers in Bensa, Ethiopia to enable honey processed coffees.
- Cafe ImportscoreLong-standing importer partner providing information and access to specialty coffees. One of the trusted network of importers who share One Line's values.
- Los Volcanes/FalconcoreImporter partner for coffees from El Salvador and Brazil including Rio Brilhante and Alvarez Family estates.
- Clearpath/AlgranominorImporter partner for Colombian coffees including Rodrigo Sanchez's Finca Monteblanco offerings.
- Coffee QuestminorImporter partner among the network of trusted partners who share One Line's values for ethical sourcing.
- PNG Coffee ExportscoreExporter partner for Papua New Guinea origin coffees including Mong Coffee and Waingar Village smallholders.
- JNP CoffeecoreExporting partner in Burundi focused on improving quality, traceability and visibility to provide assistance to producing communities. Working with Hafi Washing Station.
- PattyCake BakeryminorVegan pastry supplier providing selection of vegan pastries for Franklinton cafe location.
- Spirit TeaminorChicago-based tea company providing specialty teas including Kodemari Matcha for cafe locations.
- Petali TeaminorArtisan tea company founded by Joy Wujek providing handcrafted loose-leaf tea blends including Earl Grey Supreme and fruit teas.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
One Line Coffee competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
One Line Coffee social profiles
Digital presenceOne Line Coffee compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
One Line Coffee financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
One Line Coffee leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
One Line Coffee subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
One Line Coffee funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
One Line Coffee 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 One Line Coffee
What does One Line Coffee do?
One Line Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster and cafe operator in Ohio that sources green coffee from smallholder producers in more than 10 countries and roasts to order using Loring S15/S35 and Roest P100 roasters with data-driven quality control. The company operates three retail cafes in Columbus, sells direct to consumers via an e-commerce webstore with curated and recurring subscriptions plus multi-month gift bundles, and runs a wholesale program providing site selection, cafe layout, equipment, barista training, and menu development to partner cafes, restaurants, offices, and bakeries across Ohio.
Is One Line Coffee a public or private company?
One Line Coffee is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was One Line Coffee founded?
One Line Coffee was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is One Line Coffee based?
One Line Coffee is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does One Line Coffee make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Retail Coffee Sales are the primary driver. The others are coffee Subscriptions, wholesale Coffee, equipment Sales and Service and training Services.
Does One Line Coffee have an API?
No public API is recorded for One Line Coffee.
What industry is One Line Coffee in?
One Line Coffee's product category is Specialty Coffee Roasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFADAE, Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes), with a secondary code of THAFADAA, Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave). Its NAICS code is 31192 and its SIC code is 2080.