92. How and When to Bring Production In-House to Boost Profits

SUMMARY: In this lively episode, Ben and Aaron, take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reflecting on their journey scaling Roasters Coffee from five to fifteen locations while managing a spirited team of young employees. They share about the challenges of growth, from corralling 150+ staff to navigating company parties, and dive into a critical topic for coffee shop owners: bringing operations in-house to slash costs and boost profits. With their signature blend of humor and expertise, Ben and Aaron explore how to identify cost-saving opportunities, like crafting proprietary syrups, sandwiches, or energy drinks, and stress the importance of timing and strategic delegation to avoid overwhelming a budding business.   Ben and Aaron break down practical steps for evaluating which processes to internalize, emphasizing the need for clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) and empowering team members to take on new roles. They share real-world examples, such as creating their own energy drinks to save thousands monthly, and caution against common pitfalls, like underestimating costs or taking on too much as an owner. With actionable advice on menu design, pricing premium products, and leveraging group buying for savings, this episode is a must-listen for coffee shop owners looking to optimize operations while keeping profitability in focus. Visit CoffeeExpertsAcademy.com for more tools and insights to grow your coffee business!   Minute by Minute: 0:00 Introduction 3:43 Brining costs down by bringing them internal 7:32 What season is your business in? 12:39 Don't get stuck working as the owner 16:38 Create a list 19:31 If you don't know how much a cup of coffee costs