La Colombe Coffee Roasters (originally La Colombe Torrefaction) is an American coffee roaster and retailer headquartered in Philadelphia. Founded in 1994, the company has cafés in locations including Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C.[1][2][3] In 2023, it was acquired by Chobani for $900 million.[4][5]
La Colombe is representative of third-wave coffee.[6] Its recognition includes a BevNet award for "Rising Star" in 2017.[7]
In 2015, Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Chobani, purchased a share of the company. Ulukaya bought out private equity firm Goode Partners to gain his stake, and helped the company raise $28.5 million to fund plans for expansion.[8][9] This purchase made La Colombe one of several small-scale coffee roasters that received large investments or were acquired outright in 2015.[10][11]
Acquisition
In July 2023, Keurig Dr Pepper invested $300 million in La Colombe in exchange for 33% of the company.[12]
In December 2023, Chobani fully acquired La Colombe for $900 million.
As part of the deal, Keurig Dr Pepper had its 33% equity converted to a minority position in Chobani.
Chobani took a $550 million loan to fund the acquisition.[4][5]
As of 2023[update], La Colombe advertises on its website 32 locations in the United States, in Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Diego.[25]
Coop de Ville, a restaurant in the Strip District, Pittsburgh, features a walk-up window serving La Colombe coffee and espresso drinks. The restaurant opened in 2020.[26]
Retail products
In 2016, the company began offering a canned version of the Draft Latte, a cold-pressed espresso and frothed milk latte which was available on tap in stores.[27][28] Draft Lattes were initially available in four flavors.[29] The cans for the latte were designed by CEO Todd Carmichael and produced by Crown Holdings.[30] The can employed a valve mechanism at the base for injection of nitrous oxide.[31] Manufacturing of the cans moved from Pennsylvania to a new facility in Norton Shores, Michigan in 2016.[32]
Other products include Different Drum, a coffee-infused rum, produced at a micro-distillery located in its Fishtown, Philadelphia cafe, and a line of La Colombe single-origin and blended roasted coffees, which are available for purchase in retail stores or via the company's website.[34] The company also produces retail cold brew in larger 42oz bottles.[35]
In 2020, the company announced a can of instant coffee with new self-heating technology.[36]
Collaborations
In 2013, La Colombe partnered with the Clinton Foundation to found the Haiti Coffee Academy. The organization's stated aim is to improve coffee growers’ livelihoods in Haiti through training programs for smallholder farmers, a demonstration farm and nursery, and efforts to strengthen the supply chain for both local and export markets for Haitian coffee.[37]
In 2016, La Colombe collaborated with Yards Brewing Company, also in the Philadelphia area, to produce a coffee stout to be served in local Shake Shack branches.[38]
Also in 2016, the company collaborated with the Icelandic brewer Einstök and again with Yards on Snorri's Awakening, a coffee pale ale.[39]
In 2021, the company collaborated with Whole Foods Market to open new stores in New York City and Austin.[24]