849 episodes

A coffee podcast providing coffee shop owners and leaders, with insights, inspiration, and the tools you need to grow and advance your coffee business or coffee career. We learn from experts both in and outside the coffee industry as they deliver specific, practical, and actionable advice about ownership, optimization, profitability, barista work, employee culture, management, scaling, leadership, personal development, and anything else that will help you achieve success in the coffee shop.

Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders Chris Deferio

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 234 Ratings

A coffee podcast providing coffee shop owners and leaders, with insights, inspiration, and the tools you need to grow and advance your coffee business or coffee career. We learn from experts both in and outside the coffee industry as they deliver specific, practical, and actionable advice about ownership, optimization, profitability, barista work, employee culture, management, scaling, leadership, personal development, and anything else that will help you achieve success in the coffee shop.

    SHIFT BREAK: How to Fine Tune Your Coffee Bar

    SHIFT BREAK: How to Fine Tune Your Coffee Bar

    There is neutral. Only forward or backward. Your coffee shop is not a static thing that will simply take care of itself. The people, space, product, and culture all need to be given care and attention to prevent breaking down over time. The best way to do this is to always be fine-tuning the cafe.
    Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why fine-tuning, optimization, and efficiencies matter in the shop and how you can approach the process in a way that is effective and fulfills your business's larger mission and goals.
    Listen to these related Shift Break episodes next:
    Fix the Small Stuff! : Management, Morale, Coffee Bar Culture The Impact of Absence SHIFT BREAK: Making Minimum Viable Changes 307 : 10 Simple ways to Level Up your Coffee Shop  
     Would you like to work with me 1:1 to help you thrive in coffee?
    Click below for a discovery call and lets have a conversation! 
    https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
    Thank you to out sponsors!
    Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
    The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
     
     

    • 10 min
    466: The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection w/ 2024 U.S. Barista Champion, Frank La, Be Bright Coffee

    466: The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection w/ 2024 U.S. Barista Champion, Frank La, Be Bright Coffee

    The craft of coffee and cafes is as much a personal pursuit as it is a service to others. Providing a remarkable coffee experience to guests through coffee is what initially inspired Frank La to begin a career in coffee. Since then his dedication to exploring service, mentorship, business operations, and coffee itself has been guided by the Japanese philosophy of "Kodawari" or, the relentless pursuit of perfection. 
    Before launching Be Bright Coffee, Frank La developed his skills and became a coffee professional in LA in 2010. La has held jobs at notable coffee companies acros the city including Cafe Dulce, Lamill Coffee, and Copa Vida. Now with Be Bright Coffee, Frank has overseen the growth of his business with e-commerce, wholesale, cafe and events. His skills as a coffee professional has earned him a 6th place finish at the 2023 USBC, and most recently taking the title as the USBC in 2024.
    In today's episode we will explore the genesis and development of Frank's coffee journey through barista work, illegal pop up coffee shops, competition, a 9 year break from the competitive barista world, operations management, and crafting a championship winning routine. 
    Perfection can sound too exclusive or high minded at first, but I believe the way Frank explains things and demonstrates through his own practice of the discipline shows us that it can be pursued with humility and empathy that brings about a wonderful result.
    Links:
    https://bebrightcoffee.com/
    @bebrightcoffee
    @flaless 
     
    Related episodes:
    RoR # 21 : Data, Community, and the Art of Roasting w/ U.S. Roasters Champion Andrew Coe of Elevator Coffee 410 : A Conversation w/ 2023 U.S. Barista Champion, Isaiah Sheese of Archetype Coffee 036 : A conversation with WBC ’14 champion, Hidenori Izaki 191 : Retraining your Staff on new Standards 307 : 10 Simple ways to Level Up your Coffee Shop 339 : What Good Barista Training Produces  
    Want to run an amazing coffee shop?
    Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your coffee shop operations, quality, and people.
    Custom consulting for your unique business.
    Schedule a free discovery call now!
    https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
     
    Thank you to our amazing sponsors!
    Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee
     
    The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com
     

    • 53 min
    465: Founder Friday! w/ John Piquet of Caffe D'bolla in Salt Lake City, UT

    465: Founder Friday! w/ John Piquet of Caffe D'bolla in Salt Lake City, UT

    Creating a fine dining level experience in a coffee shop is no easy task. I requires discipline, focus, and a view of coffee that assumes that it is not just a beverage but that it is truly a culinary art. This is the disposition and mission of of today's Founder Friday guest, John Piquet of Caffe d'bolla in Salt Lake City, UT.
    For nearly two decades, John Piquet has crafted his expertise as a coffee professional, roaster and siphon brewing specialist. As owner and operator, caffe d'bolla has won 7X Best of State, 3X Best of the Beehive, Zagat's Top 50 coffee shops in the United States.
    Les Roka captures John's role in a December 2022 feature article at Gastronomicslc.com. "John Piquet’s journey as Salt Lake City’s first artisan roaster and siphon coffee bar continues, always fine-tuning the matrix for producing an exceptional cup of coffee."
    John's expertise has been recognized internationally by both peers and culinary professionals and has been featured in The New York Times, Salt Lake Tribune, as well as Fox13, KSL, KUTV's Taste Utah, ChefsFeed, Sunset Magazine, Miles Away Travel Blog, and the aptly named, “100 Things to Do in Salt Lake City Before You Die.”
    In our conversation we discuss how John came into the world of coffee service, cafe operation, and roasting. We also explore his philosophy and discipline in focus as a one-man operator striving for the sublime in espresso, siphon coffee, and roasting. 
    I find John's consistent pursuits in coffee inspiring and it is obvious those who have experienced Caffe d'bolla agree. 
    Enjoy!
    Links:
    https://shop.caffedbolla.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/caffedbolla/
     
    Related Episodes:
    401 : Founder Friday! w/ Jack Benchakul of Endorffiene in Los Angeles 293 : Thoughts on Defining Professionalism 274 : Crafting Specialty Drinks in your Shop w/ Matt Foster” 430 : Embracing “Unreasonable Hospitality” w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference 447: Understanding the Business of Coffee w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood  
     
    Want to run an amazing coffee shop?
    Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your coffee shop operations, quality, and people.
    Custom consulting for your unique business.
    Schedule a free discovery call now!
    https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
     
    Thank you to our amazing sponsors!
    Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee
     
    The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com

    • 55 min
    SHIFT BREAK: Detail Oriented Staff Starts With You

    SHIFT BREAK: Detail Oriented Staff Starts With You

    Being detail oriented is one of those traits we look for in baristas as proof that they are the right for our coffee shop. What we don't think about very much is that a good bit of what a barista gives to a business is based on what has been invested into them. In other words, you get out what you put in. 
    Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why this desired behavior and disposition of staff is largely up to you and how you go about orienting them to the details that matter. 
    Listen to these related Shift Break episodes next:
    You Need to Prioritize In-House Training! Are YOU Using Your Manual? Leaner Teams, Better Results  
     Would you like to work with me 1:1 to help you thrive in coffee?
    Click below for a discovery call and lets have a conversation! 
    https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
    Thank you to out sponsors!
    Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
    The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
     
     

    • 10 min
    464: Encore : Making Order Out of Chaos, Handling Groups in the Cafe

    464: Encore : Making Order Out of Chaos, Handling Groups in the Cafe

    There is no time where it is more critical to make a good impression than when you have a full and busy cafe. One of the main ways our coffee shops get filled is when groups meet at the shop. When groups of people come in to order, they bring with them a certain level of distraction and chaos that can easily slow things down and frustrate the staff and the customer. 
    In today's episode we are bringing back a classic KTTS episode from year one that addresses what originally was a listener question regarding the tension and confusion around groups in the cafe. Originally aired in 2017, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and guidance on how you can make order out of chaos and maybe even look forward to those groups calling your shop home!
    Related episodes:
    271 : Why the Cash Register Controls Everything 122 : How to be a Cash Register Hero : 6 Essential Skills 339 : What Good Barista Training Produces 058 : Holiday Hospitality 254 : Holiday Hospitality Part 2 Want to run an amazing coffee shop?
    Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your coffee shop operations, quality, and people.
    Custom consulting for your unique business.
    Schedule a free discovery call now!
    https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
     
    Thank you to our amazing sponsors!
    Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee
     
    The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com

    • 44 min
    SHIFT BREAK: Managers, You Don't Need To Do It All

    SHIFT BREAK: Managers, You Don't Need To Do It All

    Now that you are a manager that means you have the ability to do all the things you know will make the cafe a better place right? Well, no necessarily. A least not right away. Manager frequently will end up very disappointed and dejected when they feel they cannot make the difference they so desperately want to make. The answer is not to give up, but to prioritize with patience. 
    Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why you do not need to do all the good ideas you have in your mind in order to be a good manager, and how you can approach your work to be both effective and happy. 
    Listen to these related episodes next:
    Prioritizing your Work Feedback Culture : Making feedback a part of what you do not just something you sometimes do It's OK to Have Reasonable Tolerances Insecurity in Management  
     Would you like to work with me 1:1 to help you thrive in coffee?
    Click below for a discovery call and lets have a conversation! 
    https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
    Thank you to out sponsors!
    Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
    The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
     
     

    • 10 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
234 Ratings

234 Ratings

dishboyroy ,

Valuable experience & guidance

I’ve been in food service operations for 40 years and Chris’s podcast has be so helpful for my new venture in opening a coffee shop!
Thanks & gratitude to Chris, and all his guests for so many answers to my questions!

WadeHugginsMusic ,

Thank You!

We are getting ready to open our dream and first coffee shop. Love the coffee content of course but also love the company culture content and business tips. @todandcoppercoffee appreciates you!

damanesr ,

My coffee industry university.

I have been given an invaluable foundation to pursue my coffee service dreams with confidence. These episodes will continue to be a text book I refer back to for the tried-and-true principles that make for success in hospitality

Top Podcasts In Arts

The Bright Side
iHeartPodcasts and Hello Sunshine
Fresh Air
NPR
The Moth
The Moth
99% Invisible
Roman Mars
The Recipe with Kenji and Deb
Deb Perelman & J. Kenji López-Alt
McCartney: A Life in Lyrics
iHeartPodcasts and Pushkin Industries

You Might Also Like

Cat & Cloud Podcast
Cat & Cloud
5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality
World Coffee Portal
The How of Business - How to start, run & grow a small business.
Henry Lopez
The Generation Why Podcast
Wondery
Crime Junkie
audiochuck
The Deck
audiochuck