Reunion Island Coffee

What Reunion Island Coffee does

Reunion Coffee Roasters (DBA Reunion Island Coffee) is a Canadian family-owned specialty coffee company founded in 1995, headquartered in Oakville, Ontario with a roasting facility operating on 100% green electricity through Bullfrog Power. The company roasts and distributes specialty coffee across five revenue streams: direct-to-consumer e-commerce (Shopify storefront with US/CAD pricing), a subscription program (Appstle-powered, 15% savings, weekly to four-month cadence), a flagship retail café in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood, B2B wholesale serving cafes, restaurants, offices, and hospitality operators, and a private label/white-label program positioned as "one of Canada's largest" by volume. Its core product portfolio spans 12oz bags, 2lb bags, compostable soft pods (not K-Cup compatible), and 42-count portion packs across medium and dark roast profiles, complemented by brewing gear (Chemex, AeroPress, grinders).

The underlying technology is conventional specialty roasting rather than proprietary IP, but the company's defensible layer is its certification stack: Certified B Corporation since 2013, Rainforest Alliance on 65% of coffee purchased, Fairtrade, Canadian Organic, Swiss Water Process decaffeination, Kosher (COR), and SQF/CTPAT/HACCP food safety compliance. Operationally the firm runs an unusually deep social and environmental program — 1.1M+ trees planted via veritree in Kilifi Kenya, 4.49M+ litres of clean drinking water via Native Energy, cervical cancer screening funding via Grounds for Health — and has been recognized with the SCA Macro Roaster of the Year (2015), Canada's Greenest Employers (2017), and Business of the Year (2023). Management is second-generation family: founder Peter Pesce (called "reputedly the best cupper in Canada" by the Toronto Star) and President Adam Pesce, who holds governance seats at the SCA Sustainability Council, Coffee Association of Canada, Fairtrade Canada, and Grounds for Health. Distribution is Canada-only at present; US shipping is paused due to tariff uncertainty.

Name

Reunion Island Coffee

Legal name

Reunion Coffee Roasters

Website

https://shop.reunionislandcoffee.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Reunion Coffee Roasters is a family-owned Canadian specialty coffee roaster (founded 1995, Oakville) selling ethically certified coffee via D2C e-commerce, subscription, B2B wholesale, private label manufacturing, and a Toronto flagship café.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Coffee Roasting

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920), Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (722515), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE)

Keywords

• Specialty coffee roasting
• Wholesale coffee program
• Private label roasting
• Coffee subscription service
• Sustainable coffee certifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce (D2C): The company sells directly to consumers through its Shopify-powered online storefront at shop.reunionislandcoffee.com. Customers can purchase whole bean coffee in various formats (12oz, 2lb, pods, portion packs) with free shipping thresholds varying by Canadian province. The online store supports both one-time purchases and subscription orders.
2. Coffee Subscription Program (Roasted Rewards): Reunion offers a subscription program where customers can set delivery frequencies (weekly to every 4 months). Subscribers earn points on every order through the Roasted Rewards loyalty program, with benefits including Double Point Weekends, upcoming product sneak peaks, and ability to donate points to impact programs. Subscriptions offer 15% savings vs one-time purchase prices.
3. Wholesale Coffee Program: Since 1995, Reunion has grown to serve wholesale clients across retail, food-service, office coffee, and hospitality industries. Wholesale services include full coffee program setup and support, custom labeling, in-house marketing support, equipment sourcing and servicing, and ongoing quality control. This is a core B2B revenue stream.
4. Private Label Roasting: Positioned as one of Canada's largest private label roasters, Reunion offers brand representation services for other brands. Private label customers benefit from over two decades of specialty coffee experience, stringent quality control, sustainability practices, and sustainable coffee programs with cost-saving opportunities. Capacity for mass coffee orders with quality focus.
5. Flagship Café Retail: The flagship café in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood serves customers directly, offering the full coffee experience as intended by the roasters. The café also offers baked goods and partners with Gold Standard for breakfast sandwiches, creating an additional revenue stream from on-premise sales.
6. Coffee Gear and Accessories: Reunion sells coffee brewing equipment and accessories including Chemex brewers (Classic 6, 8, and 10 cup), AeroPress makers, coffee grinders, and filters. These accessories complement coffee sales and enhance the brewing experience for customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Reunion Island Coffee (Reunion Coffee Roasters) is a Canadian specialty coffee roaster that sources, blends and roasts coffee under its own brand across multiple formats (12oz bags, 2lb bags, compostable soft pods, and portion packs) and roast profiles, complemented by Swiss Water decaffeinated options and an extensive range of sustainability certifications (Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, Organic, B Corp, Kosher, SQF). Revenue is generated through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and a subscription program, a subscription-based loyalty program (Roasted Rewards), a flagship café in Toronto, a full-service wholesale coffee program for foodservice/office/hospitality clients, and one of Canada's largest private label/contract roasting operations.

Product overview

Reunion Coffee Roasters is a Canadian specialty coffee company offering a portfolio of branded whole bean, ground, and single-serve coffee products across multiple formats (12oz, 2 lb, soft pods, portion packs) and roast profiles (medium and dark). The core coffee lineup includes Organic Sierra Verde, Privateer Dark, Colombia Las Hermosas, Bullet Espresso, Organic French Roast, Sumatra Ketambe, Flagship, Firefly Decaf, and Authentic Donut Shop Blend — each with distinct sourcing, certification, and social impact programs. The company complements its coffee products with brewing equipment (Chemex, AeroPress, grinders), gift cards, a subscription delivery service (Appstle-powered with 15% savings), a loyalty program (Roasted Rewards via BON Loyalty), a flagship café in Toronto, and B2B wholesale and private label programs. The portfolio is organized around specialty coffee with strong sustainability and certification credentials (Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, Organic, B Corp, Swiss Water Process).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Organic Sierra Verde Medium Roast Organic and Fair Trade certified medium roast coffee with notes of nut, molasses, and chocolate; every pound sold funds the planting of trees in Kilifi, Kenya, with over 1.1 million trees planted to date. Available in 12oz bags, 2lb bags, soft pods and portion packs.
• Privateer Dark The company's classic dark roast with a deep, heavy flavor profile using Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees; supports the Native Energy Brazil Pastureland Regeneration carbon removal project and the Help Build Honduras Coffee Growers Clean Water project.
• Colombia Las Hermosas Medium Roast Colombian medium roast sourced from a co-operative in southern Colombia, with notes of brown sugar, orange, and cocoa; supports community projects and programs in Colombia.
• Bullet Espresso Medium Roast Medium-roast espresso blend with notes of chocolate, brown sugar, and dried fruit; a portion of proceeds supports Grounds for Health, advancing cervical cancer screening for women in coffee-growing communities.
• Organic French Roast Dark roast blended from small family farms in Central and South America; all Fair Trade and Organic certified, with notes of dark chocolate, hazelnut, and clove.
• Sumatra Ketambe Dark Roast Dark roast from the Aceh province of Sumatra, Indonesia, featuring large handpicked beans processed naturally under the sun; notes of earthiness and dark chocolate, supporting Rainforest Alliance certified farms in a region of high biodiversity.
• Flagship Medium Roast Medium roast inspired by the company's 30 years of sourcing and blending, designed for balance in the cup with notes of chocolate, almond, and berry.
• Firefly Decaf (Swiss Water Process) Rainforest Alliance Certified, Swiss Water Process decaffeinated coffee with notes of brown sugar, nut, and cocoa.
• Authentic Donut Shop Blend Best-selling blend with a please-all taste profile, available in multiple roast levels (Original, Dark, Decaf) and formats including compostable soft pods and portion packs.
• Portion Packs (42 x 2.5oz) Pre-measured single-serve portion packs available in 42-count boxes for commercial and office coffee systems across multiple coffee blends.
• Coffee Subscription Program Recurring coffee delivery service with frequencies from 1 week to 4 months, managed through Appstle, offering 15% subscription savings and full management (skip, reschedule, edit, cancel anytime).
• Roasted Rewards Loyalty Program Loyalty program powered by BON Loyalty where members earn 1 point per dollar spent, double points on weekends, birthday rewards, referral bonuses, and access to product sneak peeks; points are redeemable for discount codes at checkout.
• Wholesale Coffee Program Full-service wholesale coffee program for cafes, restaurants, retail, food-service, office coffee and hospitality; includes 2 lb and retail-sized whole bean bags, fraction packs, and compostable soft pods, with full coffee program setup, in-house marketing support, equipment sourcing/servicing, and ongoing quality control.
• Private Label / Contract Roasting Program Private label specialty coffee roasting services leveraging over two decades of expertise, quality control, sustainability practices (Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, Organic, B Corp) and mass production capacity for brands seeking to offer coffee under their own label.
• Flagship Toronto Café (Roncesvalles) Company-operated retail café located at 385 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, open Monday–Friday 7AM–6PM and Saturday–Sunday 8AM–6PM, serving freshly prepared coffee beverages and pastries (with breakfast sandwiches via partner Gold Standard).
• Coffee Gear and Brewing Equipment Brewing equipment and accessories including Chemex carafes (Classic 6, 8, 10 cup) and filters, AeroPress coffee makers and microfilters, and Sboly Conical Burr coffee grinders.
• Gift Cards (Retail and Café) Retail gift cards sold through the online store and café gift cards processed through Square for purchase and redemption at the Roncesvalles café.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.1 million trees planted through Sierra Verde program in Kilifi, Kenya
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tempo Flexible PackagingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with Tempo Flexible Packaging for research and development of recycle-ready packaging for coffee. This 2-year partnership led to nominations and an Award of Distinction in Sustainable Package Design from the Packaging Association of Canada in 2025.
• Fairtrade CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Reunion joined the Board of Fairtrade Canada in 2025, deepening their commitment to fair trade practices and certification in their coffee sourcing.
• Coffee Association of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Reunion joined the Board of the Coffee Association of Canada in 2023 and chairs the Sustainability Committee. Peter Pesce is a past chairman of the association.
• Gold Standard (Breakfast Sandwiches)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Gold Standard shares the café facility with Reunion Coffee Café, providing breakfast sandwiches to accompany coffee orders. This partnership enhances the café customer experience with complementary food offerings.
• Native Energy (a Public Benefit Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership with Native Energy (a certified B Corporation) supports the Brazil Pastureland Regeneration with Native Palm Silvopasture project, investing in plantings that result in carbon removals and transition to more responsible palm sourcing. Also supported the Help Build Honduras Coffee Growers Clean Water project providing over 4.49 million litres of clean drinking water using centuries-old slow sand technology.
• SCA Board / Grounds for Health BoardminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Reunion joined the Board of Grounds for Health in 2012 and the Board of the Specialty Coffee Association in 2007, demonstrating leadership within the specialty coffee industry's governance and sustainability initiatives.
• veritreecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011veritree is Reunion's tree planting partner for the Sierra Verde program. Together they provide confidence that the impacts of investments in nature-based solutions are real, measured and verified. veritree ensures the right trees are planted in the right place (Kilifi, Kenya) and that trees remain on the ground as intended. Over 1.1 million trees have been planted, with a commitment to at least 10,000 verified trees per year. veritree is referenced at veritree.com/impact-hub/reunioncoffeeroasters.
• Grounds for HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Partnership with Grounds for Health (since 2008) to support women in coffee-producing regions. A portion of proceeds from Bullet Espresso supports Grounds for Health's work advancing cervical cancer screening for women in coffee-growing communities. Adam Pesce volunteers with Grounds for Health.
• Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Reunion is a member of the Specialty Coffee Association and the Coffee Association of Canada (where Peter Pesce is a past chairman). Adam Pesce is a long-standing member of the SCA's Sustainability Council and a founder of the Canadian Chapter of the SCA, acting as its membership coordinator. The company joined the Board of the SCA in 2007.
• Bullfrog PowercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2002Bullfrog Power is a Canadian green energy retailer providing green electricity from renewable sources (wind and low-impact hydro) and green natural gas. Reunion is Canada's largest Bullfrogpowered coffee roaster with 100% green electricity at their facility. Bullfrog Power is itself a certified B Corporation.
• Rainforest AlliancecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2001Rainforest Alliance certification promotes collective action for people and nature. The seal indicates products were produced using methods supporting social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability, verified by independent third-party auditors. 65% of Reunion's total coffee purchased is Rainforest Alliance certified.
• FairtradecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2001Fairtrade is a global organization working to secure a better deal for small-scale farmers and workers. The FAIRTRADE Mark indicates producers at the start of the supply chain were paid and treated fairly, meeting Fairtrade Standards for economic, social, and environmental criteria.
• Organic CertificationcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2001Canadian Organic certification indicates products compliant with Canadian organic regulations. The organic logo is permitted only on products with organic content of at least 95%, certified according to Canadian Organic Regime requirements.
• Swiss Water ProcesscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2001Swiss Water Process is certified organic decaffeination using only water, temperature, and time to gently remove caffeine while preserving all coffee's original characteristics. Reunion has sourced decaffeinated coffee using this method since 1995, offering chemical-free decaf options.
• SQF (Safe Quality Food)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2001SQF food safety certification ensures Reunion's supply chain and operations are as sustainable as possible. SQF, CTPAT, TCO Cert, and HACCP logos appear on Reunion's certifications page, indicating comprehensive food safety and operations certifications.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pilot Coffee Roasters: Toronto-based specialty coffee roaster with a multi-location café footprint and strong wholesale program serving hospitality and offices. Directly comparable as a Canadian specialty roaster pursuing B2B wholesale, private label, and branded café retail in overlapping geographies.
• Bridgehead Coffee: Ottawa-based specialty roaster operating cafés and a wholesale program with a long-standing Fair Trade and sustainability positioning. Closely comparable to Reunion in ESG-led brand narrative, certification stack, and Canadian B2B/B2C mix.
• Detour Coffee Roasters: Ontario specialty micro-roaster with cafés and a strong direct-trade reputation. Comparable as a Canadian specialty roaster competing for the same third-wave D2C and wholesale customers in Ontario.
• Balzac's Coffee Roasters: Ontario-based specialty roaster with a café chain across Ontario, plus wholesale distribution. Comparable to Reunion in combining specialty roasting with a multi-location retail café footprint and B2B program in overlapping Canadian markets.
• Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters: Calgary-based specialty roaster recognized for quality and direct-trade sourcing, with cafés and a wholesale program. Comparable in scale, certification depth, and third-wave positioning to Reunion's specialty roastery model.
• JJ Bean Coffee Roasters: Vancouver-based specialty roaster operating one of Canada's largest café chains plus wholesale. Directly comparable as a Canadian specialty roaster combining multi-location cafés, D2C, and B2B wholesale in the same competitive set as Reunion.

Emerging players

• Counter Culture Coffee: US specialty roaster with deep direct-trade and sustainability credentials plus a wholesale and subscription program. Comparable to Reunion in ESG-led positioning, direct-trade sourcing, and specialty wholesale reach, though with US market focus.
• Stone Street Coffee Company: US-based specialty roaster with a strong D2C subscription program and private-label/wholesale offering. Comparable to Reunion as a specialty roaster pursuing similar subscription, private-label, and wholesale channels, though in the US rather than Canadian market.

Broad incumbents

• Second Cup: Canadian café chain with in-house roasting and a national footprint. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the Canadian specialty café/roasting space, though Second Cup is more chain/café-led rather than specialty single-origin-led.
• Kicking Horse Coffee: One of Canada's largest specialty roasters (acquired by AGF/Lavazza), with national grocery distribution and significant scale. Comparable as a Canadian specialty incumbent whose scale, distribution, and ESG positioning Reunion competes against across wholesale and retail.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RICoffeeCo
• Facebookfacebook.com/reunionislandcoffee
• Instagraminstagram.com/reunioncoffee
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reunion-island-coffee

Compliance10 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 Reunion Island Coffee