TLDR
Your morning cup of joe anchors your day. For Brandon Ivan Pena, coffee kickstarts something much bigger than productivity. The driven founder of 787 Coffee built his brand into an empire by tapping into his Puerto Rican roots. He fell for the rich espresso served daily in Puerto Rico and knew he could bring that experience stateside. The name itself comes from Puerto Rico's area code, reflecting Pena's mission to share the island's coffee culture. From curating his own farm-fresh beans to launching coffee infusions like rum, whisky, and tequila, Pena thinks like an innovator. 787 Coffee now has over 20 locations in New York City and Puerto Rico and offers a variety of coffee blends and infusions.
Brandon Ivan Pena's Passion for Puerto Rican Coffee
Focus on Farm-Fresh Flavor
As CEO of 787 Coffee, Brandon is committed to providing customers an authentic taste of Puerto Rico in every cup. Pena established his own coffee farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico to source beans and oversee the process from crop to roast. “I fell in love with Puerto Rican coffee,” said Pena, who wanted to share his passion with the world. By controlling the supply chain, Pena ensures customers receive the purest expression of flavor from farm to cup.
Responsibility and Success
Through ambition, responsibility, and customer connection, Pena built an empire. However, he remains dedicated to the communities that support 787 Coffee. The company aims to strengthen Puerto Rico’s economy through fair wages for farmers and opportunities for youth. By sharing the joy of Puerto Rican coffee culture, supporting social programs, and fostering personal connections, 787 Coffee and Pena have found the recipe for success. Overall, Pena's passion for flavor, customer, and community has allowed the Coffee brand to ascend to the heights of a world-class coffee brand.
Building the 787 Coffee Brand With Customer-Centric Values
To establish 787 Coffee as a successful brand, founder and CEO Brandon Ivan Pena knew that providing a personalized customer experience would be key. By making customers feel like part of the daily routine and family, 787 Coffee has built a loyal fan base.
Focusing on Customer Satisfaction
Pena is meticulous when it comes to understanding customers' needs and preferences. “We are customer centric,” Pena emphasizes. “We wouldn’t do anything that our customers don’t want.” This includes closely analyzing customer satisfaction surveys, transaction details, and social media interactions. Feedback is carefully reviewed to determine how to improve the customer experience and tailor offerings to customers’ tastes.
Engaging Customers through Social Media
787 Coffee leverages social media to actively engage customers and make them part of the brand. “Social media does a lot for us,” says Pena. “We ask a lot of questions.” For example, customers weighed in on the company’s logo and location decisions. This interactive approach makes customers feel heard and builds brand loyalty.
Considering a Mobile Ordering App
To further enhance the customer experience, 787 Coffee is considering implementing a mobile ordering app. An app would provide convenience and personalization, allowing customers to order their favorite drinks in advance, save payment information, and earn rewards. For a brand centered around community and personal connections, a well-designed app could help 787 Coffee scale its customer-centric values.
By providing personalized service, engaging customers, and implementing innovative technology, 787 Coffee has established itself as a beloved brand. Their success is a model for any company looking to build meaningful relationships and brand loyalty.
The Secret to Rapid Expansion and Success
Commitment to Customer-Centric Values
787 Coffee’s CEO, Brandon Ivan Pena, attributes the company’s success to a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction. Their ability to listen to customers and understand their needs has allowed 787 Coffee to build a loyal base of customers and expand rapidly. The company monitors customer feedback closely through various channels and acts on that feedback to improve the customer experience. This customer-centric approach has been key to 787 Coffee's success.
Building a Sustainable Brand
787 Coffee aims to create a sustainable coffee industry and inspire environmental stewardship. The company’s eco-friendly practices and social initiatives have cultivated brand loyalty among customers who share these values. 787 Coffee’s commitment to ethical sourcing and partnerships with local farmers have also allowed the company to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality coffee beans.
Strategic Growth
The coffee company has expanded rapidly by strategically opening new locations based on customer demand and available resources. The company crowdsources input from customers and the community before choosing new locations. 787 Coffee also maximizes efficiency by roasting its own coffee beans and operating its own farm.
While 787 Coffee’s success can be attributed to many factors, its customer-centric philosophy, sustainable brand, and strategic growth have been instrumental in its expansion from a single coffee shop in Puerto Rico to an international chain. By upholding its core values and mission as it continues to scale, 787 Coffee is poised to become a leader in the specialty coffee industry.
How a Mobile App Can Enhance the 787 Coffee Shop Experience
Streamlined Ordering and Payment Processing
The Coffee brand could benefit greatly from implementing a mobile app for their customers. An app would allow customers to easily browse menus, customize orders, and pay directly through their phones without waiting in line. This convenience and efficiency would reinforce 787 Coffee’s commitment to an excellent customer experience. By reducing time spent ordering and paying, customers can focus on enjoying their coffee and connecting with one another.
Building Customer Loyalty
A 787 Coffee app could also help build customer loyalty through features like store credit, special offers, points with purchase, and promotions exclusively for app users. The app could provide updates on new menu items, events and more to keep customers engaged with the brand even when they’re not in the shop. Loyalty programs and personalized communication are proven ways to foster lifelong customers, which is key to 787 Coffee’s success.
Streamlining Operations
A branded app would also benefit 787 Coffee’s operations. Digital ordering and payments minimize errors and speed up transactions, allowing baristas to work more efficiently. Sales data and customer preferences collected through the app provide insights to help the coffee shop improve the overall experience. Operational efficiencies enabled by technology allow 787 Coffee to focus resources on their core mission of serving high-quality coffee and community.
A custom mobile app is an opportunity for 787 Coffee to strengthen its brand and values. By enhancing the customer experience, building loyalty, and improving operations, an app would reinforce 787 Coffee as a innovative, forward-thinking coffee company focused on quality, community and service. The conveniences of technology can amplify the human experiences at the heart of 787 Coffee’s success.
Final Thoughts
Brandon Ivan Pena exemplifies how pursuing your passion with perseverance can lead to success. Despite setbacks, Pena persevered to build 787 Coffee into a beloved brand. By honing in on customer needs through surveys and social media engagement, Pena ensures each business decision aligns with his customer-centric values. The implementation of mobile ordering would further enhance the customer experience and support Pena's devotion to excellent service. Like Pena found with coffee in Puerto Rico, discover your passion, persevere through challenges, and stay dedicated to your values and customers. You too can build a thriving business and brand.