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Compass acquires FreshBrew vending division

FreshBrew’s vending division is a major market presence in the Texas region with a strong focus on technology and healthy initiatives, as well as customized offerings such as micro-markets and smart cafes.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

March 30, 2022

2 Min Read
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Private-label coffee and tea producer FreshBrew has announced the sale of its vending division to Compass Group North America and its Canteen Vending Services unit in order to focus its efforts and resources on the expansion of its core coffee, tea and extract product lines. 

"Due to the rapid growth and continued expansion of our coffee and tea division, we felt that this was the ideal time to divest our vending operations," said FreshBrew President/CEO Al Ansari in announcing the sale. "Compass is the nation's largest vending operator and a leader in the foodservice industry, and we are confident they will continue to serve our loyal vending customers with the same quality and service standards as we have since 1997."

Over the last decade, FreshBrew has grown its vending division into the largest, independent market leader in the Texas region. It has maintained a strong focus on technology and healthy initiatives, offering safe, convenient and efficient transactions as well as customized offerings such as micro-markets and smart cafes.

FreshBrew's origins date back to 1919 with predecessor company, Morning Treat coffee, which relocated from Louisiana to Houston in 1994. By 1995, FreshBrew officially established itself as the first supplier of office coffee in the city, offering single cup coffee machines to companies throughout the greater Houston area. In 2002, the company transitioned its focus to specialty roasting, sustainably sourcing beans from around the globe, developing superior blends based on market research and with a creative approach. Today, as one of the largest private-label coffee and tea producers in the country, FreshBrew supplies award-winning coffee, tea and total beverage solutions to national foodservice, convenience stores, hospitality and the retail sector.

Related:5 tech things: Burger-making vending machine debuts at New Jersey mall

With a 140,000 square-foot roasting plant and warehouse, the company can process approximately 70 million pounds of coffee annually and manufactures an array of products scalable to any client need, from whole bean coffee and cold brews to instant stick packs and single cups. Upon completion of their current expansion summer of 2022, the company will increase their production to 100 million pounds each year.

Read more about:

Compass Group

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

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