Tom Dowd had just come out of a tough experience with a franchise and never thought he’d buy another. However, he was drawn back in by an opportunity with Break Coffee Co., a premium workplace coffee subscription service with little overhead and a self-starter vibe. By Jessica Petrucelli
Tom Dowd had just come out of a tough experience with a franchise and never thought he’d buy another. However, he was drawn back in by an opportunity with Break Coffee Co., a premium workplace coffee subscription service with little overhead and a self-starter vibe.
“The coffee industry stood out. It’s high-margin, largely inflation-resistant and often recession-proof,” said Dowd. “People are creatures of habit, and starting the day with a great cup of coffee is essential for many, including me.”
This time around, Dowd did his due diligence. Thanks to his past experience, he knew what red flags to look for and the right questions to ask.
“I was impressed by the management team, the streamlined operations and the clear growth potential,” said Dowd. “Break Coffee was different – positive, affordable and something I could initially run alongside a full-time job. But I quickly realized I wanted to go all in. I was ready to work for myself, so I made this my full-time focus.”
Founded in 2003, Break Coffee Co. specializes in providing coffee systems and an exclusive proprietary premium blend of coffee to corporate clients throughout the U.S. Since 2004, the company has sold over 200 franchises internationally under its former name Xpresso Delight. No coffee industry experience is required to start a franchise, and the company provides franchisees with its market-tested materials, a solid business plan and extensive training on how to use its state-of-the-art machines.
“They’re a profit-driven company, as expected, but they also genuinely care about their franchisees,” said Dowd. “Their systems make operations efficient and straightforward. The franchisor manages billing, receivables and key business relationships, allowing me to focus on clients, networking and sales.”
Although Dowd has faced challenges during his six years with the company – such as landing his first major client in early March 2020, right as the 2020 pandemic hit – he persevered.
“During the height of the pandemic, many businesses closed and vendors were let go, but by 2022, as offices, country clubs and restaurants began reopening, we experienced a significant boom,” said Dowd.
According to Dowd, that growth proves that Break Coffee Co. is resilient and strong, just like the coffee it serves.
Jessica Petrucelli