Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) — Marley Coffee LLC, the certified organic gourmet coffee company, is pleased to announce that its entire line of coffees will now be distributed in DEAN & DELUCA. The premier retailer of gourmet and specialty foods will introduce Marley Coffee in its SoHo, New York, store and soon thereafter to the rest of their locations.

“I love everything about DEAN & DELUCA. When you walk into their stores, you get a sense of class and gourmet, but done in progressive and ethical way. This is what we strive for with every bag of Marley Coffee,” says Rohan Marley, son of legendary Bob Marley and Chairman of Marley Coffee.

“DEAN & DELUCA is one of my favorite stores to shop at and we are thrilled to see our coffees in their stores,” says Shane Whittle, CEO of Marley Coffee. Off the heels of getting distribution in Whole Foods Market, Marley Coffee is on a roll since the New Year started.

For distributor information please email info(at)marleycoffee(dot)com or call 323.465.1462.

About Marley Coffee
Marley Coffee, LLC (www.marleycoffee.com) is an international gourmet coffee company. The Marley Estate sits atop the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, long revered as the region with the world’s most desirable coffee beans. Marley Coffee offers a unique line of blended and single origin coffees that are sourced from some of the top growing regions in the world: Central America, Indonesia, and the birthplace of coffee – Ethiopia. All the coffees are certified organic by the USDA and PACS Canada. Partial proceeds from the sale of Marley Coffee go towards its foundation Kicks For Cause, a non-profit dedicated to bringing soccer to urban centers.

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Washington, DC (Vocus/PRWEB ) — Sales of organic, shade-grown coffee grown to the Bird Friendly standards of the National Zoo�s Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center rose to nearly $3.5 million in 2008, according to a report by Dr. Robert Rice, a geographer at the SMBC. According to the report, The Global Market for Bird Friendly Coffee: 2008, the majority (61 percent) of all Bird Friendly coffee roasted was consumed in the United States, followed by Japan (36 percent) and Canada (3 percent).

“By choosing to drink Bird Friendly coffee to kick-start their morning, consumers can help protect quality habitat for birds and other wildlife.”

Bird Friendly is certified organic coffee produced on farms with a shade cover that provides a substantial and vital habitat for migratory and resident birds in tropical landscapes, which are increasingly threatened by deforestation globally at an unprecedented rate. The Bird Friendly criteria are the world�s most stringent standards for shade-grown coffee production. Migratory birds, including the popular Baltimore Oriole, are not only beautiful with vibrant songs, but are integral to tropical and temperate ecosystems alike, providing flower pollination and seed dispersal, among other roles.

�Consumers increasingly want to know that the food they eat and coffee they drink are grown and processed in ways that are healthy for farmers and the environment,� said Rice, who coordinates the Bird Friendly certification program at the SMBC. �By choosing to drink Bird Friendly coffee to kick-start their morning, consumers can help protect quality habitat for birds and other wildlife.�

According to the report, more than 95 percent of Bird Friendly coffee comes from coffee farms in Central and South America with the remainder coming from Africa. Some 1,400 producers manage more than 12,000 acres (5,000 hectares) of Bird Friendly area and coffee farms, and they produced more than 6 million pounds of Bird Friendly coffee in the 2007�2008 harvest year. Peru ranks first in Bird Friendly coffee production (39 percent), and together, Peru, Guatemala and Mexico account for 77 percent of all production.

The volume of Bird Friendly coffee sold in the United States between 2000 and 2008 increased more than a hundredfold (averaging a 145 percent annual increase), from fewer than 2,000 pounds to 200,400 pounds. There are 44 roasters in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan that carry Bird Friendly coffee imported by 16 companies.

The Zoo has partnered with coffee roaster Golden Valley Farms (West Chester, Pa.) to serve its Bird Friendly-certified organic coffee in the Zoo�s three restaurants as of December 1, 2009.

Contact: Sandra Marquardt, 301-592-0077

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The new collection of web sites � www.GreenMountainCoffee.com, www.Tullys.com, www.CaribouKcups.com, and www.NewmansOwnOrganicsCoffee.com, — features four different �stores� but only one checkout. Coffee lovers can browse among Green Mountain Coffee�, Tully�s�, Caribou� K-Cups�, and Newman�s Own� Organics coffees by using the tabs at the top of their screen. They can add items to their cart from any brand, but only need to check out once.

Consumers can also take advantage of Caf� EXPRESS�, an automatic home delivery program that will ship any of the brands directly to the consumer�s door. Caf� EXPRESS gives its members tremendous variety, exclusive discounts, and a fresh, direct-from-the-roaster taste. Almost 80 varieties of K-Cups and 74 varieties of whole bean or ground coffee are offered through the four web sites, and all are available for Caf� EXPRESS delivery.

�We wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to find their favorite coffees, teas, and hot cocoas,� said Ken Crites, Director of Consumer Direct for GMCR�s Specialty Coffee Business Unit. �Our �one-stop shopping� web site puts all the coffee brands we package and sell within easy reach.�

Coffee lovers will also find Keurig� Single-Cup Brewers, accessories, gifts and samplers, customer ratings and coffee tasting notes on the site.

About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.

As a leader in the specialty coffee industry, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. is recognized for its award-winning coffees, innovative brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. GMCR�s operations are managed through two business units. The Specialty Coffee business unit produces coffee, tea and hot cocoa from its family of brands, including Tully�s Coffee�, Green Mountain Coffee� and Newman�s Own� Organics coffee. The Keurig business unit is a pioneer and leading manufacturer of gourmet single-cup brewing systems. K-Cup� portion packs for Keurig� Single-Cup Brewers are produced by a variety of licensed roasters, including Green Mountain Coffee and Tully�s Coffee. GMCR supports local and global communities by offsetting 100% of its direct greenhouse gas emissions, investing in Fair Trade Certified� coffee, and donating at least five percent of its pre-tax profits to social and environmental projects. Visit www.GreenMountainCoffee.com and www.Keurig.com for more information.

GMCR routinely posts information that may be of importance to investors in the Investor Services section of its web site, including news releases and its complete financial statements, as filed with the SEC. The Company encourages investors to consult this section of its web site regularly for important information and news. Additionally, by subscribing to the Company�s automatic email news release delivery, individuals can receive news directly from GMCR as it is released.

Contacts
Green Mountain Coffee
Maureen Martin, 802-882-2289
Maureen.Martin@gmcr.com

Greenfield, Mass. (Vocus/PRWEB ) September 9, 2009 — Whether a result of bottom-up pressure from students or top-down decision-making from proactive faculty and food service administrators, organic coffee is more available than ever on college campuses these days, according to the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) (www.ota.com/organic_and_you/coffee_collaboration.html).

” The switch to organic coffee on campus is happening despite the current state of the economy”

For example, Caffe Ibis (Logan, UT) has seen sales of its triple-certified (organic, Fair Trade Certified�, and Bird Friendly�) coffees increase dramatically over last year at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT), and Utah State University (Logan, UT), the result of both expanded availability and, in the case of the University of Utah, benefactors, faculty and students alike urging the food service to “green” its offerings.

Equator Estate Coffees & Teas (San Rafael, CA) has provided organic coffees to the City College of San Francisco since 2007 and is expanding into college food services nationwide by providing organic coffee to Feel Good World (www.FeelGoodWorld.org), a student-run social venture to raise money and consciousness about world hunger and sustainability at campuses across the country. Working hand-in-hand with the organization, Equator is developing a coffee service program at ten college locations, including the University of California-Berkeley, Columbia University (New York City, NY), and the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ).

Selling its Fair Trade organic coffee to over 175 colleges and universities nationwide, Green Mountain Coffee (Waterbury, VT) has seen these sales triple over the past two years. Key locations include Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT), Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), the University of Massachusetts (Boston, MA), and, of course, the University of Vermont (Burlington, VT).

Through several brand initiatives, S&D Coffee (Concord, NC) currently supplies organic, Fair Trade, and Rain Forest Alliance certified coffees to over 400 colleges and universities.

Decaffeinated coffee is also popular among college students and administrators who enjoy a good cup of coffee but need to reduce their caffeine intake. Much of the decaf on campus has been decaffeinated using Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company’s (Vancouver, Canada) process, as it uses only water to extract caffeine from the coffee beans. A new company using carbon dioxide (CO2) for the decaffeination process, Maximus Coffee Group (Houston, TX), just got certified to the federal organic standards, and its products will hit the college market soon.

“The switch to organic coffee on campus is happening despite the current state of the economy,” said Christine Bushway, OTA Executive Director.

The North American organic coffee market reached 1.3 billion dollars in 2008, according to Daniele Giovannucci, author of the recent North American Organic Coffee Industry Survey: 2009. The amount of organic coffee imported into the United States and Canada increased 12 percent during 2008, rising from approximately 81 million pounds to approximately 89 million pounds with most of the sales taking place in the United States. The 29 percent annual average growth rate for the organic category documented by Giovannucci between 2000 and 2008 dwarfs the estimated 1.5 percent projected annual growth rate of the conventional coffee industry. The survey is available from the Organic Trade Association.

Organic coffee is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, avoid the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.

Background:
Organic coffee is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, avoid the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.

The Organic Coffee Collaboration - a project of the Organic Trade Association, the business association for the North American organic industry, includes the companies listed below. These participants represent some of the newest companies in the market as well as well known firms that source, decaffeinate, or roast for the largest coffee companies in the United States.

CAFFE IBIS (Logan, UT) - An award-winning “green business,” Caffe Ibis is a custom coffee roasting house featuring triple certified–organic, Fair Trade, and Smithsonian Shade Grown “Bird-Friendly�”- coffees, mountain grown, mountain roasted. Caffe Ibis� also operates a celebrated gallery/deli-licious espresso bar. University franchise, private label, equipment programs, monthly specials, and consulting services are available.

CHIAPAS FARMS (Austin, TX) - Chiapas Farms specializes in superior fair trade foods. Its Caf� de Chiapas coffee is from an organic/fair trade cooperative in the Chiapas, Mexico, highlands. The coffee has a nutty and buttery taste with a smooth, slightly sweet finish. The product is offered in dark and medium roast, and is available online.

CRIMSON CUP (Columbus, OH) - Since 1991, Crimson Cup� Coffee & Tea has roasted and packaged great-tasting coffee in Columbus, Ohio. Led by Harvard “Crimson” graduate Greg Ubert, Crimson Cup offers a full line of certified organic Fair Trade coffee and teas to over 350 coffee houses, colleges and universities and grocers throughout 26 states.

ELAN ORGANIC COFFEES (San Diego, CA) - Elan Organic Coffees is a coffee developer and importer offering certified organic socially responsible and Bird Friendly� coffees it has developed through partnerships with village co-ops in coffee-producing countries. Elan pioneered the supply of the world’s finest certified organic coffees, while supporting farmers and protecting the environment.

EQUATOR ESTATE COFFEES & TEAS (San Rafael, CA) - Equator is known for its distinctive specialty coffees, socially responsible sourcing, and longstanding relationships with prominent chefs and national retailers who are passionate about quality. The women-owned company procures exceptional certified organic coffees from farmers who practice environmental stewardship, resulting in an empowered supply chain from crop to cup.

GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE (Waterbury, VT) - Green Mountain Coffee is recognized as a leader in the specialty coffee industry for its award-winning coffees and socially and environmentally responsible business practices. Green Mountain Coffee offers a broad selection of double-certified organic and Fair Trade coffees under the Green Mountain Coffee� and Newman’s Own� Organics brands.

MAXIMUS COFFEE GROUP (Houston, TX) - Maximus Coffee Group’s carbon dioxide (CO2) / triple-filtered water decaffeination process is the only decaffeination plant in the United States that supplies coffee both naturally decaffeinated and USDA Organic certified. It is an EPA Green Power Partner with one-third of its energy coming from alternative sources.

ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION (Greenfield, MA) - OTA’s mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. OTA’s members include farmers, processors, importers, distributors, retailers, certifiers, and more.

S&D COFFEE (Concord, NC) - S&D is the second largest coffee roaster in the United States supplying both conventional and organic coffees. The company feels strongly about fostering sustainable agriculture and promoting a healthy planet. Quality Assurance International (QAI) certifies S&D’s six organic coffees sold under the Buffalo & Spring label.

SWISS WATER DECAFFEINATED COFFEE COMPANY (Burnaby, BC, Canada) - A wholesome process for decaffeinating coffee – pure water, 100% chemical free – ensures the best of the bean remains, while only caffeine is removed. Swiss Water decaffeinates organic coffees for premium roasters. Look for the SWISS WATER� seal on packs or in stores to guarantee remarkable tasting 99.9% caffeine-free coffee.

TRUE ORIGIN ORGANICS (Weston, FL, and Bogot�, Colombia) - True Origin Organics premium Colombian coffee hails from the magnificent Santa Marta and Tierradentro valleys. Like fine wine, this coffee has one true origin. It is harvested, roasted and packed right where it grows. True Origins Organics is available at East Coast specialty and natural stores and mid-Atlantic Whole Foods Markets.

See http://www.ota.com/organic_and_you/coffee_collaboration.html for further information on the Organic Coffee Collaboration.

*(For space reasons, only a few of the many colleges/universities offering organic coffee are listed.)

Contact: Sandra Marquardt
301-592-0077

WATERBURY, Vt.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) has ranked 11th on Fortune�s annual list of the 100 Fastest-Growing Companies.

The Waterbury-based company was the highest-ranked consumer package goods company on the list, which includes profitable, publicly-held companies with at least $50 million in annual revenue. For the first time, the list includes global companies that trade on a U.S. exchange and file quarterly reports. Companies are judged on revenue growth rate, EPS growth rate, and three-year annualized total return to investors. Last month, GMCR reported outstanding top and bottom line growth for its third quarter results, with 61% increase in net sales and 123% increase in net income over the same quarter last year.

�I believe that our high ranking is due to the winning combination of our outstanding coffees, the Keurig Single-Cup Brewing System, and the skills and dedication of our employees,� said Lawrence J. Blanford, GMCR�s President and CEO. �We�re honored to be recognized for building a company that is making a profit and making a difference in the local and global communities where we work.�

At the same time the Company was being recognized for fast growth, Mr. Blanford was recognized for his leadership by CRO, a corporate social responsibility magazine. �Nominations for CRO Magazine�s 2009 Responsible CEO of the Year Award only go to leaders who have taken large risks to set performance standards in environmental, social and corporate governance,� said Jay Whitehead, publisher of CRO Magazine. Winners of the CRO award will be announced at a conference in October.

Earlier this year, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. was named one of the �100 Most Trustworthy Companies,� by Forbes.com, based on transparent and conservative accounting practices and prudent management.

About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR)

As a leader in the specialty coffee industry, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. is recognized for its award-winning coffees, innovative brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. GMCR�s operations are managed through two business units. The Specialty Coffee business unit produces coffee, tea and hot cocoa from its family of brands, including Tully�s Coffee�, Green Mountain Coffee� and Newman�s Own� Organics coffee. The Keurig business unit is a pioneer and leading manufacturer of gourmet single-cup brewing systems. K-Cup� portion packs for Keurig� Single-Cup Brewers are produced by a variety of licensed roasters, including Green Mountain Coffee and Tully�s Coffee. GMCR supports local and global communities by offsetting 100% of its direct greenhouse gas emissions, investing in Fair Trade Certified� coffee, and donating at least five percent of its pre-tax profits to social and environmental projects. Visit www.GreenMountainCoffee.com and www.Keurig.com for more information.

GMCR routinely posts information that may be of importance to investors in the �Investor Services � Press Releases� section of its website. This information may include quarterly and annual earnings announcements, significant news releases, complete financial statements as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as product and other news about the Company. We encourage investors to visit this section of our website regularly for important information and news. Additionally, by subscribing to the Company�s automatic email news release delivery, individuals can receive news directly from GMCR as it is released.

Contacts

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
Sandy Yusen, 866-968-2739
Director of Public Relations
sandy.yusen@gmcr.com

Starbucks Coffee, sometimes referred to as Fourbucks Coffee is the largest coffeehouse chain in the world. It opened its first store in 1971 in Seattle’s waterfront Pike Place Market by three partners: Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegel, and Gordon Bowker to sell high-quality coffee beans and equipment. In 1982, Howard Schultz, the current Chairman and CEO joined the company as the Director of Marketing. He was impressed by the popularity of the espresso bars in Italy after he traveled to Milan in 1983. Back to the US, he convinced the founders of Starbucks to sell both coffee beans and espresso beverages. However, the idea was rejected so he left the company and founded Il Giornale coffee bar chain in 1985. In 1987 Howard Schultz and Il Giornale bought Starbucks with $3.8M and renamed Il Giornale coffee bars to Starbucks and turned it into the Starbucks you know today. The company went public with the symbol SBUX in June 26, 1992 at $17/share with 140 stores. Since then the stock has split 5 times. As of May 2008, SBUX is traded at about $16, down from the high of $39.43 in November 2006.

Starbucks opened the first overseas store in Tokyo, Japan in 1996. The company currently has about 16,000 stores, employs 172,000 partners, AKA employees as of September 2007 in 44 countries. It has annual sales of over $10B with most recent quarterly revenue being $2.526B. About 85% of Starbucks revenue comes from company-operated stores.

Starbucks does not franchise its operations and has no plans to franchises in foreseeable future. In North America, most stores are company-operated. You may see some Starbucks stores inside Target, major supermarkets, University campuses, Hospitals, and Airports. These stores are operated under licensing agreements to provide access to real estate which would otherwise unavailable. Starbucks receives licensee fees and royalties from these licensed locations. At these licensed retail locations, the workers are considered employees of that specific retailer, not Starbucks. As of 2008 it has 7087 company-operated stores and 4081 licensed stores in the US. Internationally it has 1796 company operated stores and 2792 joint-venture or licensed stores in 43 foreign countries. The pace of expansion is slowing down as the company plans to open 1020 US stores in 2008, less than 400 stores in 2009 down from 1800 stores in2007. In addition, it also plans to close 100 stores in 2008.

Risks to Real Estate Investors

Starbucks coffee buildings remain a popular investment for many investors. When you consider investing in a property occupied by Starbucks, you need to understand the following risks of your investment:

1. Recession-sensitivity: a hungry man can survive with a Big Mac & fries but can live without a four-buck Frappuccino. This means Starbucks is very sensitive to economy downturn as seen in 2007 and 2008 compared to Burger Kings and McDonald’s. This may be the main reason sales at stores in the US open at least a year are expected a mid single-digit percentage decline, the first drop ever. It triggers Howard Schultz to return to the CEO post. The company plans to double its marketing spending to $100M in 2008 to drum up sales. It began an aggressive coupons campaign offering free drinks every Wednesday through May 28, 2008. This may be a sign of desperation. On April 22, 2008 Starbucks cut its outlook for the year citing weak economy.

2. Calorie & Sugar: Starbucks drinks have more sugar and calorie in which consumers are more and more concerned due to explosion of obesity and diabetes epidemic in the US. For example, its Strawberries & Cr�me Frappuccino� Blended Cr�me – whip has 120 grams (over 1/4 lb) of sugar, and 750 calorie on its Venti 24 oz size. If it becomes a trend that consumers decide to cut down on the sugar drinks, or stick to low-carb diets then it will have impact on Starbucks revenue.

3. Competition: McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Dunkin Donuts now also offer espresso at lower prices to compete with Starbucks. They will capture some revenue from Starbucks, especially from cost-conscious customers. The current Starbucks prices are already pretty high; it’s very hard for Starbucks to increase the prices in the near future without affecting the traffic to its stores.

4. High-expenses business model: while Starbucks profit margin is high as it pays an average $1.42 per pound for the unroasted coffee, its business is very labor intensive just like any other foods businesses. It takes between 10-20 employees to run one store. All eligible part-time and full-time partners in the US and Canada receive benefit package consisting of stock option plan, 401k with company matching, medical, dental & vision coverage. Starbucks is voted as the 7-th best company to work for in the US in 2008 by the Fortune magazine employee’s survey. What is good for employees may not be good for the employers. These benefits are normally only available to key employees or managers in the restaurant industry. Historically, the costs of these health benefits rise faster than the rate of inflation. In the long run, they may have negative impact on Starbucks bottom line. Should Starbucks not perform well, it may be under pressure as a public company to close more stores.

5. Special-purpose building: Starbucks freestanding building is a special-purpose building designed specifically for Starbucks. Should Starbucks decide not to close or not to renew the lease, it’s hard to re-lease the property. There are few tenants out there willing to pay the high rent like Starbucks. It’s hard to use it as a fast food restaurant due to a relative small square footage. Besides, it does not have a commercial kitchen. Once vacated by Starbucks, the property value will most likely go down.

Starbucks Real Estate Operation

Starbucks divides the US & Canada into 17 real estate territories, each has its own store development office to develop the market in its territory. The developers constructed freestanding buildings about 1800 SF with drive thru in a location with high visibility, heavy traffic. Once the location is approved by the territory office, Starbucks typically signs a 10 year NNN lease with 2 five year options in which landlords are responsible for roof and structure. All the leases normally have corporate guarantee which means Starbucks will continue paying rent in the event it has to close the store. The lease often has 10% rent increase every 5 years. The rent is between $1.65/SF in a store in Utah to $5.84/SF in New York. This rent survey is based on the rents at just 30 Starbucks properties, 18 of them are free standing, on the market for sale through out the US as of April 2008.

Starbucks Location with Minimal Store Closure Possibilities

During tough times, e.g. in 2008 when sales are declining Starbucks will attempt to cut costs and close underperforming stores. As a real estate investor considers investing in a Starbucks building, you don’t want to invest in a property that will be closed in the future.

Location—— 1mile——3miles——-AHI/yr—–Size (SF)—-Base rent /yr—Rent/SF/mo –Price—–Cap(%)
Ohio……………296……..2609………$88375….1613………$58,590……….. $3.03……….$868K…….6.75
Florida………..9186……55270……$68595…..1816………$75,000………..$3.44……….$1.2M………6.10
Georgia………5717……57201…..$143936….1750………$74,000………..$3.52……….$1.091……..6.75
Mississippi….188……..4923……..$77372…..1816………$112,184………$5.15……….$1.558M…..7.2
Texas………….5944…..40970…….$75043…..1752………$92,914………..$4.42……….$1,327M….7.00

Table 1: Rent Comparables for Free-standing Starbucks Buildings

Location——SBUX rent/yr—SBUX Size—SBUX rent/SF/mo—Other tenant Size—Rent/SF/mo—Difference
California…….$30096……..1248 SF…..$2.01……………………1245 SF……………..$2.50………….-19%
Kansas……….$43200……..1600 SF….$2.25…………………….1600 SF………………$1.33………….68%
Utah……………$38568……..1950 SF…..$1.65…………………….1200 SF……………..$1.86…………-11%
New Mexico..$92004………2000 SF….$3.83…………………….2500 SF……………..$1.92…………100%
New York…….$125004……1785 SF….$5.84…………………….2819 SF………………$2.75…………112%

Table 2: Rent Difference in Multi-tenant Starbucks Retail Centers

Since Starbucks does not release sales revenue for a particular location, you just need to make an educated guess. Based on annual revenue and numbers of stored operated by Starbucks, the average annual revenue per store is about $1M. In addition, if the annual rent to revenue ratio is less than 10% there is a good chance the location is profitable. For example if the base rent for the Starbucks in Ohio is $58,590 then the annual revenue should be more than $585,590. Besides picking a store at a good location (refer to the article titled “What ‘Location’ Means in Commercial Real Estate” by this author), and the cap rate you should consider the following:

1. Densely-populated area: more people mean more customers size and thus more revenue. The Starbucks in FL, GA and TX on Table 1 are more promising. Note: the author tries to be sensitive by not disclosing the exact locations.

2. Low-rent: the Starbucks in MS pays $112,184 for base rent. To be reasonably profitable it needs to have annual revenue of $1.12M. However, since there are only 188 people within 1 mile and 4923 residents within 3 miles radius from the store, it’s less likely the store ever achieves that revenue. Besides Starbucks pays $5.15/SF which is very high compared to just $3.52/SF in a fast growing, high income, densely-populated in GA where there are 57,201 residents within 3 miles radius and Average Household Income (AHI) of over $143K/year. It’s hard to understand how the Starbucks in MS could be an irreplaceable location in an area with just 188 people within 1 mile radius from the property! While offering the highest 7.2% cap, this property appears to be a good investment but it actually has the highest risk of underperforming and could be closed down in the future. Alternatively, Starbucks could attempt to renegotiate the lease with lower rent during tough times. While Starbucks has not asked for rent reductions yet, it is not surprised if Starbucks will do so to improve its bottom line in the future. In either case, the property value will go down.

3. Rent premium: while most Starbucks properties are freestanding in which it occupies 100%, you may see a Starbucks in a small multi-unit strip center with a few other tenants. It normally occupies the end unit with drive thru and thus is expected to pay a premium compared to the adjacent unit. However, most of the time Starbucks pays substantially higher rent. For example, in Table 2 it pays $5.84/SF compared to just $2.75/SF by a tenant in the unit next door in a center in New York or 112% higher. In this strip center should the rent for the unit occupied by Starbucks be reduced (due to closure or lease renegotiation) the value of the center will be reduced substantially. You certainly don’t want to invest in this property.

David V. Tran is the President and Chief Investment Advisor at Transmercial (formerly eFunding, Inc.), a commercial real estate & loan brokerage company in San Jose, CA. His website is http://www.transmercial.com He may be contacted at (408) 288-5500. Transmercial does business in all 50 states. He is the #1 US commercial real estate expert author. David currently offers 3 FREE real estate investment seminars:

1. How to invest in commercial real estate for early retirement income.
2. How to maximize cash flow with 1031 tax-deferred exchange.
3. TIC: Fractional ownership in high-value commercial properties.

David’s blog features a daily list of Best Commercial Properties in the US to invest for early retirement income.

You are welcome to share this report, unedited and in its entirety, with anyone you like. You may not remove this text. � 2007-2009 Transmercial.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_V._Tran

(PRWEB) August 4, 2009 — Kona Luna, an online retailer exclusively selling Kona Coffee directly from Hawaii is now offering free shipping to its customers.

Kona Luna Coffee Co.

In one of the worst recessions on record many businesses are tightening their belts and preparing for worse times ahead. However some online retailers like Kona Luna Coffee Co. are facing the economy with open arms and fantastic deals.

Jim Christian and Matt Jallo, owners of Kona Luna say “Business is Fantastic! We have lowered our prices and thought free shipping was a great way of saying thanks to our customers”. Typically the summer months are the worst for the industry because of the heat and many people are on vacation but this year we are seeing promising results from Hawaiian Coffee Lovers. We invite everyone to taste the bold flavor of Aloha and try Kona Luna Coffee. We feel that our product speaks for itself.

The offer which launches on Tuesday August 3rd will allow customers that order over $50 worth of Coffee to enjoy free shipping including Kona Luna’s award winning Kona Peaberry coffee. The free shipping offer will extend throughout the summer and into fall.

Kona coffee beans only come from one region in Hawaii and is strictly regulated by the Kona Coffee Council. This ensures each batch that goes out with the 100% guarantee has the councils seal ensuring that the customer is getting the product they paid for.

Kona Luna Coffee Co. is a purveyor of Gourmet Kona Coffee. The farm that the beans come from is located in Kona-Kailua on the Big Island of Hawaii. Kona Luna sells various grades of Kona Coffee including peaberry, extra fancy, select and their one of a kind Wakea reserve.

Kona Luna is well known for their freshness since each batch that goes out is roasted to perfections and sent out farm fresh and delivered to your door.

Upstart beverage website Coffee2T.com combines information about the different coffees and teas around the world with premium selection. The site’s founder recently sat down to talk tea, coffee and the new blog that is helping people see more than the run-of-the-mill mall coffee shop.

Markham, Ontario Canada (PRWEB) July 1, 2009 — “In America, coffee and tea is mass produced,” began Brian Henzie. “They make one or two flavors that appeal to everyone’s tastes.”

It’s no secret that traditionally in the States, coffee is relegated to drip, with some cream and sugar to make up for the bitter-but-bland taste, or overpriced “gourmet” coffee manufactured by a Seattle-based corporate giant.

Henzie, on the other hand, is a beverage aficionado and prefers the taste of European coffees and teas.

“I traveled to Europe and the coffee and tea there was different, it was suited more towards my preference for strong coffee.”

While beginning to purchase imported gourmet coffee and tea from the internet, Henzie was struck with inspiration and launched his own beverage resource www.Coffee2T.com in April 2009.

Providing several sources, as well as its own in-house web store, Coffee2T.com is one of the most comprehensive website for gourmet coffee, organic tea, espresso and gift baskets.

“There’s a limitation of choices when you go to the grocery store,” explained Henzie. “I want to encourage people to try different coffees and tea. The internet makes it so there are more choices available.”

Though the site is still in its infancy, Henzie continues to add more items and coffee and tea resources to his site.

He has also added a new blog, www.Coffee2T.net.

“The blog will have some of the information regarding coffee, tea and their health benefits,” Henzie said. “There will also be recipes for coffee and tea.”

As the website grows and more people become to accustomed to drinking coffee from places other than a specific coffee giant, Henzie’s keen sense for beverages will help people discover something beyond considering a latte as an exotic drink.

About the Company:
Coffee2T.com is a part of GHENB Flexo and is owned and operated by Brian Henzie.

Contact Information:
Brian Henzie
www.Coffee2T.com
(416) 828-4655

iePlexus, Inc.
www.iePlexus.com

Berkeley, CA (PRWEB) May 28, 2009 — In a recent tasting of McCafe and Starbucks coffee drinks conducted by editors of The Coffee Review, Starbucks coffees earned higher marks than those from McDonald’s, though none of the drinks truly impressed the expert tasters.

Coffee Review

The quality of the products varied by the type of drink. According to Mr. Davids, who has published three books on gourmet coffee, for the cappuccinos “We gave a slight edge to Starbucks, though some may prefer the more coffee-muted McDonald’s version with its larger proportion of milk to coffee.” He added that “the difference in caff� lattes was subtle, perhaps not worth fussing over for most palates, although we found the Starbucks version livelier and more nuanced.”

However, when it came to flavored coffees beverages, Mr. Davids found “the superiority of the Starbucks versions of caff� mocha and caramel latte was dramatic, and significant, given consumer preference for espresso beverages involving added syrups.” Mr. Davids noted that the Starbucks versions cost 44 to 76 cents more than those from McDonald’s, leading him to conclude “It appears that at this front of the coffee war you get what you pay for, particularly when it comes to drinks that include syrups and whipped cream.”

About The Coffee Review
Founded in 1997, the Coffee Review is an influential online coffee publication that pioneered 100-point reviews in the specialty coffee industry. Editor Kenneth Davids and other well-respected coffee experts conduct blind coffee tastings that provide an objective buying guide for coffee lovers. Thousands of coffee reviews appear on the company’s website at www.coffeereview.com.

Green Mountain Coffee Brand Offers New Vending Solution for Single-Cup Brewing

Vended K-Cup Portion Packs And Keurig Brewers Transform Coffee Vending Experience

WATERBURY, Vt.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Single-cup brewing technology is changing the way people brew and enjoy their coffee. Now coffee lovers can get a great cup of coffee in an unexpected place: a vending machine. The Specialty Coffee Business Unit of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), is offering a new full-line vending machine designed for single-cup brewing in high-traffic commercial and manufacturing environments.

The Green Mountain Coffee� branded vending machine dispenses K-Cup� portion packs and is used in conjunction with a Keurig� Single-Cup Brewer. The unit is designed for large venues that sell coffee and other beverages to employees or visitors. The new machine allows vending operators to meet the demand for high-quality coffee with an economical, low maintenance, easy-to-use, sanitary solution. Tully�s Coffee� and Caribou Coffee� branded machines will be available later this summer.

�This innovative system will make people think about coffee from a vending machine in a whole new way,� says T.J. Whalen, Vice President of Marketing for GMCR�s Specialty Coffee Business Unit. �With its value proposition of quality, variety and convenience, this unit brings a coffeehouse experience to vending locations.�

The Green Mountain Coffee vending unit holds more than 1,000 K-Cup portion packs. Operators can choose to offer up to 12 product selections from more than 60 coffees, teas, and hot cocoa in K-Cups from GMCR�s family of brands, including Green Mountain Coffee�, Tully�s Coffee�, Newman�s Own� Organics Coffee, Caribou Coffee�, Celestial Seasonings� Teas, and Caf� Escapes�. The machines are paired with Keurig�s proprietary brewing system, which delivers the proper amount, temperature and pressure of water to ensure a perfect cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa, in under one minute.

Scott Meskin, Owner and Partner of Black Tie Services, tested the new vending unit in Baltimore, MD. �It�s the new buzz,� he says. �I finally have a coffee vending machine that competes with any gourmet coffee shop. And it�s so easy! There�s no mess to clean, no cups jamming � just happy customers.�

The Green Mountain Coffee branded vending units are now available to order. For additional information, please call 800-432-4627.

About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR)

As a leader in the specialty coffee industry, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. is recognized for its award-winning coffees, innovative brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. GMCR�s operations are managed through two business units. The Specialty Coffee business unit produces coffee, tea and hot cocoa from its family of brands, including Tully�s Coffee�, Green Mountain Coffee� and Newman�s Own� Organics coffee. The Keurig business unit is a pioneer and leading manufacturer of gourmet single-cup brewing systems. K-Cup� portion packs for Keurig� Single-Cup Brewers are produced by a variety of licensed roasters, including Green Mountain Coffee and Tully�s Coffee. GMCR supports local and global communities by offsetting 100% of its direct greenhouse gas emissions, investing in Fair Trade Certified� coffee, and donating at least five percent of its pre-tax profits to social and environmental projects. Visit www.GreenMountainCoffee.com and www.Keurig.com for more information.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5991391&lang=en

Contacts:
Green Mountain Coffee
Sandy Yusen, 866-968-2739
Director of Public Relations