Seattle Coffee Co. The Seattle-based firm, founded in 1969, is parent to Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia. Seattle's Best targets neighborhoods and mainstream America, with 75 company-owned and franchised cafes in seven states. The company recently signed an agreement for 167 cafes in Japan. Torrefazione Italia zeros in on upscale urban locations, often commercial and residential buildings, and customers who are more fashion-forward, young and eclectic. We sell the Italian coffee experience,'' he says.
Coffee is served in colorful Italian ceramic cups with saucers.
We want our beans to be in cafes and restaurants as well as homes,'' says Clarke. He predicts the cost of real estate will force consolidation among coffee chains. Irvine, Calif.-based Diedrich Coffee Inc., with 40 units in California, Colorado and Texas, recently extended its family. President Tim Ryan insists coffee business is far from the saturation point. Coffee is a daily habit.