Wonder

Research Outline

Prepared for Igor E. | Delivered February 13, 2020

Coffee Shop Standards

Goals

Identify standards that regulate or rank the quality of service and products offered by coffee shops in the US, or metrics that could be used to create such a standard. 

Early Findings

Research revealed no standards for coffee shops in the US. We came to this conclusion after research through the US National Coffee Association revealed no information as such. We assume that if standards existed for this industry, the industry association would provide information about them. 

Therefore, we switched our focus to metrics. 
Food and Wine Food and Wine did an extensive profiling of coffee shops across the country using the following metrics: The shop had been in the coffee business for eat least two years. The shop was rated both on the quality of their coffee and on their retail operation. The sustainability of the coffee provided and the shop itself was considered. 
The research consisted of an unannounced site visit, no free samples were accepted, and no funds or other forms of influence over the results was allowed. 
Additionally, insight was requested from non-shop-affiliated industry leaders.
U.S. Coffee ChampionshipsThe US Coffee Championships is a series of contests across the US. 
Their "sensory score sheet" includes scoring on espresso, milk beverages, technical evaluation, and customer service skills. 
Coffee Franchises Coffee franchises track cost of goods, labor percentages, top-line sales, and loyalty system participation by customers. 