The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson James Hoffmann: How Coffee Shops Can Thrive In 2025
Oct 5, 2025
James Hoffmann, World Barista Champion and coffee authority, shares his insights on how coffee shops can thrive in 2025. He discusses the rise of experimental processing, the impact of social media on cafe culture, and ways to improve coffee quality across chains like McDonald's. Hoffmann also reflects on the importance of privacy in the digital age and his personal journey in the coffee industry. With humor and wisdom, he emphasizes the need for cafes to focus on customer relationships and navigate the challenges posed by home brewers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Why The Atlas Needed A Major Rewrite
- James rewrote the third edition of the World Atlas of Coffee because the coffee world and his tone have changed since 2014.
- He added new regions and processing topics to reflect specialty coffee's evolving scope.
Scale Drives Coffee Evolution
- Scale and availability have driven most coffee changes, not solely consumer taste curiosity.
- More roasters and shops pushed equipment and processing innovations focused on efficiency and differentiation.
Prioritize Long-Term Wholesale Relationships
- Focus on long-term customer relationships; 40% of Square Mile's revenue comes from decade-plus clients.
- Build services that help cafes be financially successful so customers stick around.
