Velocity-Coffee.com is ramping up our online presence. We’d like to point out that in addition to offering our espresso business consulting services and drive-thru espresso coffee kiosk buildings for sale, we now offer online and off-line sales of espresso equipment that is selected specifically for success in the drive-thru coffee business.

Our online sales can be made through our web store or you may call us directly to order by phone. Either way, please feel free to call (541) 554-0909 or contact us to discuss our products and services—along with how we can help you create a profitable drive-thru espresso coffee business venture.

We are in the process of listing new and used equipment, so be sure and check back regularly!

Profits and Prime Drive-Thru Locations at Stake

All over the US, espresso entrepreneurs are mapping out prime locations and snapping up claims. The prize? Duplicating the phenomenal business success of the early espresso drive-thru operators of the Pacific Northwest.

For residents here—the land of the drive-thru espresso business—it’s become a given. We expect coffee on a whim. Anywhere, anytime. To give you an idea, in our market of Eugene-Springfield, Oregon, there are now nearly 25 different car-convenienced java outlets competing to tempt passing drivers into a tall latte or mocha for the road.

But this is a mature market. It’s tough to crack at this point. Regulations are tougher. Locations are no longer available. The customer is a lot savvier.

But it isn’t like this everywhere.

Around the Rest of the Country, Opportunities Abound.
The demand for easy-access drive-up coffee nationwide is there, especially if a Starbucks has already started preparing the locals for the higher-end espresso experience (and paying $3 and up coffee…).

There is a combination of growth from independent coffee operators, as well as expansion of regional success stories like Oregon’s own Dutch Bros. Some are franchising chain operations while other are corporately owned. Others, like the Dutch Bros., combine these models, with some territories taken over by franchisees, with others remaining under corporate control.

In any case, there are a number of bigger players entering the market in multiple regions. But there is still room for the independent coffee operator—lots of it! And we’re here to help.

We can now offer the Velocity Total Package: your very own DBT (delivered-by-truck) drive-thru coffee business. This is a complete, everything’s-in-the-box (or on the truck) system to get you started making money in drive-thru espresso ASAP.

With your very own fully-loaded “Velocity” model drive-thru coffee building from King Coffee on it’s way to your location, you can look forward to getting into business with lightning speed. And when time is money…Velocity counts! See more here.

This is a like-new model that we used for two years before it was leased for six months. It now has to be moved from it’s current location in Springfield, Oregon, and we are looking to make someone an unmatched deal. Save thousands and get it delivered right away!

Available with or without an equipment package. We have some special used equipment available to place in this building, or we can outfit it entirely with new. We can help you decide on exactly the right package for your business and your budget. Contact us for more details.

Here’s someone on the right track. Creating excitement and not worrying about being the value leader.

You gotta love this! Especially after that depressing piece below featuring Starbuck’s new South-of-the-Border Taco Bell trick.

The New York Times article about this exclusive halogen-heated japanese siphon bar, has gone all over the internet, and I even saw it in our local paper, the Register-Guard. So what’s a better PR boost…the highest end of specialty coffee or cheap drip coffee for $1?

As for me, I can’t wait to try this—or at least some exotic single origin coffee brewed in a Clover at Stumptown Annex next time I’m up in Portland. No, I don’t think espresso is falling out of favor. But looks as if coffee geeks are getting more popular!

Has Starbucks been thinking a bit too far outside the bun…er, cup? It makes you wonder…what are they really selling? Do they need a “value menu?”

“When a product becomes indistinguishable from others like it and consumers buy on price alone, it becomes a commodity.”

Are they branching out to compete with truck-stop coffee? Where does this end? Does this cheapskate cup of joe bring in some desirable new demographic? Like those who don’t like espresso, and don’t want to drop $3 or more on some kind “specialty coffee?”

Or, does it siphon off profits, as some regular patrons will prefer the cheap jolt? And doesn’t it dilute the brand image? Or are there simply so many locations that Starbucks has become like Dell? Nothing more than a commodity. The Taco Bell of coffee. While it’s true that Starbucks sells more than coffee—or at least did…it’s ambience and the experience that really set them apart to begin with. Now it’s price.

Maybe this does lowbrow the “third place” atmosphere—but maybe it will bring in enough new blood to convert into latte and mocha aficionados and make sense. Maybe it’s a PR masterstroke!

And Velocity’s take on this?

“It appears to be a test, a strategic move—albeit against the grain. Although plenty of companies have grown marketshare by dumping products, so it’s not unheard of. Surely it’s a step away from their original brand positioning.

“I think it’s the visible maturation of the inevitable. The sprawling tentacular reach of the ubiquitous Starbucks presence ends up squeezing upon itself. Kinda like Dell.

…Um…let’s see…I’m pretty sure we’d prefer a double ristretto. And a Mac.”

Now is the time to get into Drive-Thru espresso!

…and here’s your chance.

This is a photo of the building that’s available now. We built it and then operated it for nearly two years (starting in 2005) at 3650 Main Street in Springfield, Oregon. Then we leased it out, with equipment, to another operator on a lease-option agreement last summer.

As it turns out, that didn’t work. And now the lease on that property is up—and it has to be moved.

So…what’s that mean to you?

You’re in luck! How about an unbelievable deal on a turnkey espresso coffee drive thru building with a complete equipment package?

Check it out on Ebay!

Buy it now or…make us an offer….

That’s right. Now’s your chance. Don’t miss it.

It can’t get any better!

While scientists don’t have a clear biological understanding of this, a recent study backs up earlier results from Europe and Japan showing coffee offering protection from liver cancer.

The reduced risk appears to be related to liver cancer resulting from alcohol-induced cirrhosis of liver. So, while it would be best to cut down on the alcohol, at least the coffee habit might help if you do drink. The most impressive reduction was noted between 14 and 28 cups of coffee per week.

The results of this study appear in the August 2007 issue of Hepatology, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

Sales down? Competition getting the best of you? Regulations holding you back? Just shed some clothes. In America, anything goes. Ditto for the fiercely competitive Pacific Northwest drive-thru espresso market. This Oregon drive-thru is just the latest in a series of Northwest drive-thru operators who find that espresso sells better with skin.

What do we think?

It’s a gimmick…and it’s obvious that sex sells. It has nothing to do with coffee. But it has everything to do with the weaknesses of people. It smashes the bad taste barrier, and it marginalizes independent operators—making Starbucks even more “legitimate” as they continue to roll out drive-thrus.

Ken Davids of Coffee Review gave a thumbs-up 89-point review to a smart-machine roasted blend by Texas Roast.

Mr. Davids describes the blend as having a “very impressive aroma” and “grapefruit notes with distinct cedar and semi-sweet chocolate.”

“Ever since the review, online sales of our coffee have been booming,” says Jeff Schneider of Texas Roast. Schneider founded the Rockwall, TX, coffee shop and roasting business less than one year ago after returning from military duty in Iraq, with no prior coffee roasting experience or formal training. Schneider roasts on an automated machine by Fresh Roast Systems, Inc.

And the Velocity-Coffee take on this?

“Strike one up for science over art in roasting—but don’t discount Schneider’s selection of good beans and appropriate blending. When you factor that in, well, it makes the automated part almost moot. Many will be indignantly skeptical of how this could be, but then there are plenty of roasters that want you to believe in some fanciful tale of artisan skill passed on from generation to generation.”

What this actually shows is just more evidence that it takes more than a machine to make good coffee. And roasting is both art and science. But the science has to come first. Just like espresso—it’s about controlling the variables!

Everybody wants your spare change. And now that even includes the spare change our customers dig up between the seat cushions for their daily latte. Even Oprah’s found out about it. It’s been targeted with a trademarked ™ economic term and listed as an online word of the day.

latte factor (LAT.ay fak.tur) n. Seemingly insignificant daily purchases that add up to a significant amount of money over time.

That’s what keeps us in business. And that’s why our good customers are worth $1k / year. Fortunately, most’ll keep getting their drink, because there is more to that daily extra change than just caffeine. Our customers come for more than the coffee. Sure part of it is the caffeine, but good service and a good relationship create the experience necessary for building long term, repeat customers.