Drive-Thru Centric Restaurant Thrives During Pandemic Crisis
Phoenix, Arizona – The Human Bean, an Oregon-based franchise coffee restaurant company, is expanding its footprint in Arizona. Local franchisee Brian Sherrill is in partnership with three family members and they currently own three Valley restaurants with three more in Arizona opening within the next 18 months.
“As restaurants struggle during this pandemic, we have been fortunate that our format overcame the challenges of social distancing,” says Sherrill. “Our business is primarily drive-thru, with some customers using walk-up service. We do not offer interior seating, so our business has always been a takeout product. As such, business has grown during this very difficult time.”
Sherrill, one of two franchisees operating in Greater Phoenix, owns one store in Mesa and two in Phoenix. He has two new stores currently under construction. The Human Bean at Scottsdale Road and Hancock in Tempe will open in July. An additional store in Tucson at 22nd and Wilmott will open July 14.
“We have operated in Greater Phoenix for more than two years and are continually looking for additional, high quality locations,” says Sherrill. “We are expanding our presence in the competitive coffee marketplace here in Arizona. Our products stand out for their quality, especially our farm-direct, ethically sourced South American coffee.” The Human Bean also considers its friendly customer service as a major element of its brand, along with the signature chocolate-covered coffee bean placed on the lid of each purchased drink.
In addition to a wide variety of coffee drinks, Human Bean offers smoothies, teas, specialty drinks and a variety of food items that include breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal and muffin tops.
The company offers a rewards program through its app and participates in GrubHub and Door Dash delivery services.
Human Bean opened its first drive-thru espresso stand in Ashland, Oregon in 1998. The company soon expanded to other cities in Southern Oregon. Brian Sherrill joined the original franchisee in 2003 and later purchased his own franchise for portions of Arizona. Since its inception, The Human Bean has grown to 102 locations in 10 states. Sherrill plans to expand his portfolio of Human Bean locations in Arizona and site recommendations are being handled by Nick Ault at Colliers International in Arizona.