The Modern Retail Podcast How Gregorys Coffee is taking the craft coffee business to scale
Jan 9, 2025
Gregory Zamfotis, the Founder and CEO of Gregory's Coffee, delves into the unique approach of his rapidly growing café chain. He discusses how the brand balances craft coffee quality with convenience, adapting to market demands while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. Gregory shares insights on overcoming expansion challenges and the integration of AI in espresso production, highlighting the innovative shift in coffee culture. The conversation also touches on fostering community connections in a post-pandemic world, shaping the future of coffee shops.
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Humble Origin Story
- Gregory Zamfotis started Gregorys Coffee after law school by combining family food-service experience with a passion for specialty coffee.
- He opened the first store in 2006 without a grand multi-unit plan and learned on the job before expanding.
Third-Wave Timing Drove Growth
- Gregorys rode the third-wave coffee movement by weaving specialty techniques into operations early on.
- Adopting latte art, pour-overs, and better equipment helped them scale from one store to multiple locations.
Combine Quality And Convenience
- Blend quality with convenience so customers don't sacrifice one for the other.
- Build a menu and experience that offers specialty coffee and the speed/scale customers expect.