Christopher Bean Coffee Perks into National Distribution at Kroger Stores

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Oct.2005)—Christopher Bean Coffee Company announced it has reached an agreement with Kroger—the nation’s number one grocery chain—to distribute their delicious blends of coffees Nationwide in over 1800 Kroger owned stores. This brings the company’s total distribution network to over 3000 stores in 33 states.

The new markets include Kroger Stores in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville, Lexington, Nashville, Detroit, Peoria, Atlanta, Savannah, Houston and Dallas-Ft. Worth. Christopher Bean Gourmet Coffee will now be available at Kroger owned Fry’s in Phoenix and Tucson, Smith’s in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Reno and Albuquerque-Santa Fe., Dillon’s in Wichita and Kansas City, King Soopers and City Markets in the Denver and Colorado Springs-Pueblo areas.

Last summer Christopher Bean Coffee rolled out 4 coffee varieties in a limited distribution test at Kroger stores located in the Southeast. The overwhelming sales success and positive feedback from consumers led to the decision to further expand the distribution with 6 bestselling ground varieties including two robust regular coffees, House Blend and Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend, plus 4 bold flavors, Crème Brulee, Cinnamon Pecan Brownie, Vanilla Nut Butter Cookie, and Tiramisu Flavored Coffee.

“The Kroger expansion takes us from being a regional company to now being one of America’s fastest growing National coffee companies. This incredible growth is allowing us to take our promotions to a new level including a billboard campaign in over 25 major markets, sponsorship of the syndicated “Daily Buzz” morning TV show in 137 markets and expansion of our regional Blood Donor Reward Program to include partnership with over a dozen Blood Centers across the country”. Said Mark Geallis Christopher beans Director of Marketing. “Our unique flavored coffees and exceptional quality blends are making us a favorite with coffee lovers and grocers everywhere “


About The Company
Christopher Bean Coffee produces superior gourmet blends and flavored coffees using carefully selected 100% Arabica beans from the finest crop offerings in the world. These beans are then hand roasted in small batches to guarantee full control over the roasting process.

Headquartered in Daytona Beach Florida, The Company was founded in 1996 when owner Christopher W. Brown began hand-roasting unique blends and flavors for discriminating coffee drinkers. In 1998, the company began roasting gourmet coffee for hotels, offices and restaurants. Retail distribution started in 2001 when Marshal Fields Department Stores and Publix Supermarkets introduced Christopher Bean Coffee in limited distribution. The following year Publix increased distribution to all 850 stores as a warehouse item and the company also began sales in 4 Florida Wal-Mart Super Centers. In 2003 Christopher Bean Coffee expanded mail order capabilities to include the convenience of online shopping at www.christopherbean.com and was introduced in over 300 Kroger stores in the Southeast. Earlier this year the Carolina’s premier grocer Lowe’s Foods added Christopher Bean to its Specialty Coffee section.