Aroma Joe's Founding: A Coffee Journey Begins

Aroma Joe's is a drive-thru coffee franchise founded in 2000 in East Rochester, New Hampshire, by four cousins from Maine: Marty and Tim McKenna, and Mike and Brian Sillon. The cousins shared a passion for coffee and a commitment to spreading positive energy to their customers and communities. They recognised a gap in the market for a coffee shop that offered more than just impersonal service and poor-quality products. Aroma Joe's quickly became a beloved community destination, and in 2012, with the help of Loren Goodridge, the company began offering franchise opportunities. Today, there are over 100 Aroma Joe's locations across the United States, with plans for further expansion.

Aroma Joe's was founded in 2000 in East Rochester, New Hampshire

Aroma Joe's, a drive-through coffee company, was founded in 2000 in East Rochester, New Hampshire, by four cousins from Maine: Marty and Tim McKenna and Mike and Brian Sillon. The cousins shared a passion for coffee and a commitment to spreading positive energy to their customers and communities. They recognised a gap in the market, with competitors offering impersonal service, poor quality, and a lack of innovation. With this in mind, they created a local destination for handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, unique flavour infusions, signature energy drinks, and all-day food offerings.

The first Aroma Joe's location opened in 2000, and the company quickly grew to become a beloved community destination across Maine and New Hampshire. People were drawn to the unique Aroma Joe's experience, which included a friendly and upbeat environment and amazing customer service. The company's commitment to its values and its focus on positively impacting people's lives with passion and caring further contributed to its success.

In 2012, Aroma Joe's began franchising with the help of Loren Goodridge, a well-known Subway franchisee and Development Agent. This marked a significant step in the company's expansion, and today there are over 100 locations across the northeastern United States, including Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, Connecticut, and New York. The company's headquarters are in Portland, Maine.

Aroma Joe's has continued to innovate and improve its offerings over the years. In 2012, they launched their proprietary energy drink, AJ's Rush, which has become a fan favourite. In 2019, they revamped their coffee program to ensure the beans used for each handcrafted beverage are sustainably grown, ethically sourced, and create an even better-tasting cup of coffee. Aroma Joe's is committed to using only 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified beans, ensuring sustainable farming practices and supporting the communities that produce their coffee.

The company's rapid growth and success can be attributed to its focus on community, quality, and sustainability, as well as its dedication to constantly improving the customer experience. Aroma Joe's has become a beloved fixture in the communities it serves, offering not just a cup of coffee but a positive and uplifting experience to its customers.

The coffee company was founded by four cousins from Maine

Aroma Joe's is a drive-thru-centered coffee company that was founded in 2000 in East Rochester, New Hampshire. The company is now headquartered in Portland, Maine, and has over 100 locations across the United States. The coffee company was founded by four cousins from Maine: Marty and Tim McKenna, and Mike and Brian Sillon. The cousins were inspired by passionate people and amazing customer service, and they wanted to bring these elements to their communities through their coffee business. They recognised a gap in the market, as their competitors were offering impersonal service, poor quality, and a lack of innovation.

The four cousins shared a passion for coffee and a commitment to spreading positive energy to their customers and communities. This passion, combined with their focus on creating a unique and innovative customer experience, helped Aroma Joe's quickly grow into a beloved community destination. The company's commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing of their coffee beans further sets them apart in the highly competitive market.

The first Aroma Joe's location in East Rochester, New Hampshire, was just the beginning of the company's rapid expansion. In 2012, with the support of Loren Goodridge, a respected Subway franchisee and Development Agent, Aroma Joe's began offering franchise opportunities. This marked a significant milestone in the company's growth, allowing them to expand their presence across multiple states.

Today, Aroma Joe's continues to thrive and expand, with locations in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, Connecticut, and New York. The company's success can be attributed to its founding values, which remain at the core of its operations. The positive impact that Aroma Joe's has on its customers and communities is a testament to the cousins' original vision and their dedication to delivering an exceptional coffee experience.

Aroma Joe's has become a local destination known for its handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, unique flavour infusions, and signature energy drinks. The company's commitment to product innovation and customer satisfaction has fostered a loyal customer base that appreciates the positive and upbeat environment that Aroma Joe's provides. The founders' Maine roots and their dedication to their community have played a crucial role in shaping the company's culture and success.

The cousins shared a passion for coffee and serving their community

Cousins Marty and Tim McKenna and Mike and Brian Sillon founded Aroma Joe's in 2000. The four cousins from Maine shared a passion for coffee and serving their community. They envisioned a local destination for handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, unique flavour infusions, signature energy drinks, and all-day food offerings. With a focus on positivity and passion, they aimed to positively impact their customers and communities.

The first Aroma Joe's opened its doors in East Rochester, New Hampshire, and quickly became a beloved community hub. The cousins recognised an opportunity to improve upon the shortcomings of their competitors, who often provided impersonal service, poor quality, and a lack of innovation. By offering a friendly and upbeat environment, along with high-quality products, Aroma Joe's differentiated itself and gained a loyal following.

The cousins' passion for coffee extended beyond the beans and drinks they served. They understood the importance of sustainability and ethical sourcing. Aroma Joe's uses Rainforest Alliance Certified beans to ensure sustainable farming practices, guaranteeing not just environmental and social responsibility but also a richer and smoother taste. This commitment to quality and sustainability has remained a core value as the company has grown.

Aroma Joe's rapid growth can be attributed to its commitment to community and customer experience. With over 100 locations across multiple states, the company has expanded while maintaining its focus on serving its communities. The cousins' initial vision of spreading positive energy and a passion for coffee has been embraced by franchisees and customers alike, contributing to the success and expansion of the brand.

The success of Aroma Joe's also attracted the attention of Loren Goodridge, a well-known Subway franchisee and Development Agent. In 2012, with Goodridge's support, Aroma Joe's began offering franchise opportunities, further accelerating its growth. Goodridge himself became the first franchisee and later took over as CEO of the company, contributing his expertise to the brand's expansion.

In 2012, Aroma Joe's began franchising and created its energy drink

Aroma Joe's was founded in 2000 in East Rochester, New Hampshire, by cousins Marty and Tim McKenna and Mike and Brian Sillon. The cousins' passion for coffee and their commitment to spreading positive energy to their customers and communities were the driving forces behind the brand. They also recognised a gap in the market, as their competitors were offering impersonal service, poor quality, and a lack of innovation.

In 2012, Aroma Joe's took a significant step forward by beginning to franchise their business. With the support of Loren Goodridge, a well-known and experienced Subway franchisee and Development Agent, Aroma Joe's successfully entered the world of franchising. Goodridge's involvement proved instrumental in the brand's expansion, and he would later become the CEO of Aroma Joe's in 2018.

The year 2012 also marked another important milestone for Aroma Joe's, as it was when they created and launched their proprietary energy drink, AJ's Rush. This energy drink quickly became a fan favourite, known for its bright berry flavours and versatility in creating signature flavours such as Beach Bum or Green Alien. The introduction of AJ's Rush® further enhanced the brand's reputation for product innovation and unique offerings.

Aroma Joe's commitment to product development and their focus on customer experience and community engagement have been key factors in their growth and expansion. With over 100 locations across multiple states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Florida, Aroma Joe's has become a beloved community destination, staying true to their founding values and principles.

The company now has over 100 locations across the US

Aroma Joe's was founded in 2000 in East Rochester, New Hampshire, by four cousins from Maine: Marty and Tim McKenna, and Mike and Brian Sillon. The cousins shared a passion for coffee and a commitment to spreading positive energy to their customers and communities. They also recognised a gap in the market, noting the impersonal service, poor quality, and lack of innovation offered by their competitors.

The company quickly grew to become a beloved community destination across Maine and New Hampshire. In 2012, with the help of Loren Goodridge, a well-known Subway franchisee and Development Agent, Aroma Joe's began franchising. Goodridge, who had previously owned over 30 Subways, was impressed by the brand's confidence in leasing a high-visibility, expensive space. He became the first Aroma Joe's franchisee and, just six years later, took over as CEO of the entire system.

Today, there are over 100 locations across the US, with shops in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. The company has expanded beyond its traditional New England roots, battling against the likes of Dunkin' and Starbucks, which dominate the coffee scene in the Northeast and nationwide, respectively.

Aroma Joe's has a unique approach to its stores, with nearly three-quarters of its locations offering a drive-thru lane. This allows most locations to be smaller, typically around 800 to 850 square feet, which is half the size of an average Starbucks. Only a third of the locations have internal seating, as the company prioritises a quick service model. This smaller format contributes to the brand's strong economics, with an average unit volume near $525,000 on a franchise cost of approximately $250,000 to $600,000.

The company's commitment to spreading positivity and passion, along with its focus on the customer experience, has set it apart in a highly competitive market. In addition to its handcrafted beverages and energy drinks, Aroma Joe's offers all-day food options and ethically sourced, sustainably grown coffee beans. With its growing presence across the US, Aroma Joe's continues to positively impact people and communities, one cup of coffee at a time.

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