Your Time Is Now: Inside 787 Coffee's 2025 Leadership Summit That's Redefining Coffee Culture
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Join 787 Coffee's End-of-Year Summit 2025. Discover how we're building the greatest coffee company culture, learning from World Barista Champion Jack Simpson, and why the best humans work here. 2025 was a very successful year and we are getting ready to make 2026 even BETTER.
The Moment We've Been Building Toward
When you walk into a 787 Coffee shop, you're stepping into something bigger than a caffeine fix. You're walking into a movement led by some of the coolest humans in the coffee industry. And that movement got turbocharged at our 2025 End-of-Year Leadership Summit.
This wasn't your typical corporate gathering. This was Your Time Is Now—a TED-style leadership experience that brought together LEADERS, DOers - Regional & District Leaders, and creators from Puerto Rico, New York, Texas, New Jersey, and beyond. From the mountains of Hacienda Iluminada to our thriving urban locations, we gathered to do three things: quantify what we built in 2025, strategize for dominance in 2026, and empower every human who serves our caffeinated guests.
And here's the thing—if you've ever wondered why 787 Coffee feels different, why our team moves with purpose, why our coffee tastes like home no matter where you are: this summit is the answer.
What Makes 787 Coffee a Great Place to Work?
People ask Google this all the time. And we don't blame them. In an industry known for high turnover and burnout, 787 Coffee stands out. Why? Because our culture isn't something we write on a wall. It's lived every single day by humans who actually care.
Our summit brought together leadership from across our locations—Regional Leaders from the East Coast, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the future Regional leader of Florida; District Leaders who manage our operations with precision and heart; Head Trainers who develop our team's skills; and the core leadership team that sets the vision.
What we saw reflected in the room? A reflection of our core belief: human for human connection.
This didn't happen by accident. After Hurricane Maria nearly destroyed everything we built, we made a choice. We could have taken the easy route—bought coffee from supermarkets, outsourced everything, gone purely corporate. Instead, we chose to stay human. We chose to rebuild with heart. And that decision shaped everything we do now.
That's why our people stay. That's why they bring their best energy every day. That's why 787 Coffee is a great place to work.
Who Spoke at Your Time Is Now 2025?
If you're wondering who's driving coffee leadership conversations right now, here's your answer.
Our summit featured world-class speakers and leaders who are shaping the future of coffee and business:
Jack Simpson, World Barista Champion – One of the most technically skilled baristas on the planet shared insights on excellence, precision, and the craft that separates good coffee from transformational coffee. When a world champion prioritizes your team's growth, you pay attention.
Olga Quiroz, Viva Aerobus Airlines Marketing Director – Bringing a global operations and marketing perspective to how we scale a brand internationally while maintaining authenticity.
Jose Ochoa, Award-Winning Entrepreneur & Host of Subete Al Ring Podcast – Sharing lessons on leadership, resilience, and building movements (not just businesses) that inspire communities.
Kristin Mooney, Senior VP, Inc. and Fast Company Events – Adding strategic insights on how successful companies position themselves as industry authorities.
Jony Respira, Transformational Breathwork Facilitator & Former Brand Director at P&G and Google – Reminding us that leadership wellness and mindfulness fuel sustainable excellence. Because great leaders take care of their humans.
Arturo Alluin, Featured Entrepreneur and Operations Expert – Bringing real-world strategies that bridge vision with execution.
Max Lowy, Co-Founder Attention Trading – Discussing how to cut through noise and build authentic brand loyalty in 2026.
Our Internal Leadership Team – Our VP of Finance, Regional Leaders, District Leaders, Head Trainers, and Administration team sharing 2025 wins, challenges overcome, and the roadmap for next year.
This lineup wasn't about celebrity speakers. It was about bringing together humans who understand that business is ultimately about people, purpose, and precision.
The Three Pillars of Our 2025 Summit: Quantify, Strategize, Empower
Pillar 1: Quantify – What We Actually Built This Year
People want numbers. They want to know if a company is actually growing or just talking about growth. So let's talk about 2025.
Our 787 Coffee family expanded to 30+ locations across New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Puerto Rico. Each location represents more than square footage—it represents humans trained, communities served, coffee stories told, and connections made.
Every district leader presented their numbers, their wins, and their learnings. We celebrated top performers. We acknowledged challenges faced. And we didn't shy away from the reality that growth requires constant evolution.
But here's what matters most: We grew without compromising our farm-to-cup promise. Every single cup served at 787 Coffee still carries the integrity we promised when Hurricane Maria tested everything we believed in.
Pillar 2: Strategize – Building 2026 With Clarity
This is where the real work happens.
Our leadership team aligned around key growth areas for next year. From expanding our coffee bag sales (5 lb bags for home brewers and restaurants who want that authentic 787 experience) to deepening our presence in existing markets, we have a clear playbook.
We discussed how technology—like introducing smart ordering systems that reduced wait times by 25% and increased repeat visits by 15%—will continue scaling our operations.
We mapped out training initiatives to develop our next generation of leaders with connecteam.
And we talked about what many companies ignore: how do we grow without losing the human-centered culture that got us here?
The answer? By being intentional. By measuring not just revenue but also team retention, customer loyalty scores, and the energy people feel walking into our shops.
Pillar 3: Empower – Every Human Gets Lifted
This is the one that separates 787 Coffee from most companies.
Our summit wasn't designed for executives to talk at people. It was designed for leaders to learn from each other, for baristas to feel recognized, for district managers to share their challenges and get support, and for every human in the room to leave with clarity on their role in our 2026 vision.
We celebrated the Coquito Latte phenomenon (thanks to baristas like David who perfected that recipe). We recognized our Head Trainer's impact on developing barista excellence. We highlighted how our NYC Administrator manages complexity with grace.
Because here's the truth: a company's culture is only as strong as its weakest leader—and we don't have weak leaders. We have humans committed to growth.
How to Experience 787 Coffee Like a Summit Attendee
Now you're wondering: how do I get that 787 Coffee experience at home or in my restaurant?
This is where our coffee bags come in. And specifically, our 5 lb bags.
A lot of people think coffee is coffee. But if you've been to one of our locations, you know better. The difference between generic supermarket coffee and 787 Coffee is like the difference between a photograph and being there in person. It's the memory of Puerto Rico, the taste of care, the experience of farm-to-cup.
Our 5 lb bags let you bring that home. Whether you're a home barista mastering the café cubano or running a restaurant that wants to offer your guests something authentic, our bulk bags deliver:
Freshly roasted coffee from our farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico (not old inventory from a warehouse)
Single-origin flavor profiles that let you taste the terroir of where your coffee comes from
Consistency that your guests come back for (not the inconsistency of buying from commodity suppliers)
A story to tell – every cup connects your customers to a real farm, real humans, and a real mission
Our summit attendees understood this deeply. They saw our farm. They met our farmers. They understand that coffee quality directly impacts customer loyalty.
And that's not emotional marketing. That's business reality. Our smart ordering data shows it: customers who've experienced 787 Coffee consistently repeat. They upgrade their drink sizes. They buy bags to take home. They become advocates.
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What Does a Leadership Summit Actually Accomplish?
You'd be surprised how many companies skip this.
Some companies do quarterly earnings calls. Some do annual town halls. But a true leadership summit? One where you bring your people together for 12+ hours of focused learning, celebration, and strategic planning?
Here's what it does:
Alignment – Every leader leaves knowing exactly what success looks like for 2026. No confusion. No mixed messages.
Connection – Leaders from different regions who might only see each other at conference calls actually build relationships. They learn each other's challenges. They become a real team.
Momentum – There's something about being in a room with hundreds of people who are all committed to the same mission. It changes your energy. It changes what you believe is possible.
Accountability – When you publicly commit to goals in front of your peers, you follow through. It's peer pressure in the best way.
Development – Exposure to world-class thinkers (like a World Barista Champion) and experienced leaders elevates your thinking. You can't help but level up.
This is why 787 Coffee invests in summits. This is why we brought our leadership team from across the country to Puerto Rico
Be a CAFFEINATED HUMAN.
Be a creative human. Be a good human.
Be a NuevaYOL Caffeinated Human.
Why 787 Coffee Is Your Best Source for Premium Coffee Bags
Searching for "best coffee bags" or "specialty coffee for restaurants"?
There's a reason 787 Coffee keeps showing up in those searches.
Our coffee bags aren't just a retail product. They're an extension of our farm-to-cup philosophy. Here's what you get:
From People Who Actually Grow Coffee
We don't buy beans and slap our label on them. We grow coffee on Hacienda Iluminada. We process it. We roast it. We control every variable that impacts flavor. That's rare. Most coffee companies are just roasters or distributors. We're farmers with a farm-to-cup commitment.
Freshness Guaranteed
Our bags are roasted to order (or in small batches) so when they reach you, they're at their flavor peak. Not sitting in a warehouse for months.
For Home Baristas and Restaurants
If you're someone who takes your home coffee seriously—someone who's invested in a decent espresso machine or pour-over setup—you deserve beans that match your equipment and your standards.
If you're a restaurant or café looking to offer something different, authentic coffee that tells a story? Our 5 lb bags let you do that affordably. Your guests notice. They ask questions. They become regulars because of it.
Sustainability Built In
We minimize plastics. We support local farming communities. We protect the earth we grow our coffee on. This isn't a marketing angle—it's how we operate. And your customers increasingly care about this.
☕ Visit a 787 Coffee location near you – Walk in today and taste HOST Milano innovation
🛒 Shop 787 Coffee online – Single-origin specialty beans roasted fresh, RTD cold brew, and more
🌱 Visit Hacienda Iluminada – Experience where it all begins in Puerto Rico
📧 Join our newsletter – Get exclusive updates on new coffees, events, and stories
Your 787 Coffee Resources
For Our Stores: NYC | Texas | Puerto Rico | New Jersey
Online Shop: Shop Fresh Roasted Coffee
Farm Visits: Hacienda Iluminada Tours
Learn More: Our Story | The Craft Behind Our Coffee
Be a caffeinated human. Win the morning.
The 2026 Vision: What's Next for 787 Coffee
We didn't just celebrate 2025 at our summit. We committed to 2026.
Here's what's coming:
Expansion – New locations in markets where we've proven our model and where communities are calling for authentic coffee culture.
Product Innovation – More specialty items, new brewing options, and deeper coffee education for our customers.
Digital Excellence – Our smart ordering system will get smarter. Our online coffee bag sales will be seamless. We're going to make buying 787 Coffee as easy as thinking about it.
Leadership Development – Every human at 787 Coffee will have access to training and growth opportunities. We're building a company where people don't just work—they develop.
Community Deepening – We're not expanding into cities just to add locations. We're expanding to build communities, partner with local artists, support local causes, and create hubs where humans want to be.
FAQs About 787 Coffee and Our Leadership Summit
Q: Why does 787 Coffee hold an End-of-Year Summit?
A: Most companies don't. Most companies skip it because it's expensive, logistically complex, and not "essential" to quarterly results. But we hold it because it's essential to what we are—a human-centered company. The summit creates alignment, celebrates wins, builds relationships across locations, and sets the direction for next year. It's where culture actually happens.
Q: What's the difference between 787 Coffee bags and other coffee I can buy online?
A: Most online coffee comes from distributors or roasters who buy beans from commodity suppliers. We grow our own coffee on our farm in Puerto Rico. That means we control quality at every step—from the soil, to harvest, to processing, to roasting. You taste the difference. Your customers taste the difference.
Q: Can I buy 5 lb bags of 787 Coffee for my restaurant?
A: Yes. This is specifically why we created them. Restaurants, offices, and serious home brewers love our bulk bags. You get consistency, quality, and a story to tell your guests. Contact our team at [contact info] for bulk pricing and ordering details.
Q: Is 787 Coffee actually sustainable?
A: This isn't a label we slapped on our brand. We grow coffee organically on our farm in Puerto Rico. We minimize plastics. We support local communities. We protect the earth. This commitment sometimes costs us more money in the short term. We do it anyway because it's right. After Hurricane Maria, we could have taken the easy route. We didn't. We chose heart over convenience.
Q: What's the best way to brew 787 Coffee at home?
A: It depends on your setup, but all of our beans shine with proper water temperature (195-205°F), a decent grind, and time. Whether you're doing espresso, french press, pour-over, or café cubano, start with fresh, quality beans. (Which we have.) Our baristas are happy to recommend brewing methods in our locations or online.
Q: Who works at 787 Coffee?
A: Humans. Specifically, humans who care about coffee, community, and doing business with integrity. We've built a team that stays because they believe in what we're building. Our retention rates prove it. Our customer service reflects it. Our energy is different because our people choose to be there.
Q: What was the theme of the 2025 Summit?
A: Your Time Is Now. It's a call to action for every human at 787 Coffee—district leaders, baristas, team members, everyone. 2025 proved we can scale without losing our soul. 2026 is about pushing further, reaching higher, and recognizing that each person's role matters.
The Bottom Line: Great Coffee Comes From Great Humans
The 2025 End-of-Year Summit proved something.
You can't separate coffee quality from human culture. You can't separate business growth from leadership development. You can't scale a company without first building a real team.
When you drink 787 Coffee—whether it's in one of our locations or from one of our 5 lb bags at home—you're experiencing the result of humans who gathered, aligned, learned from world-class leaders, and committed to excellence.
That's what Your Time Is Now was really about.
Your time to grow as a leader. Your time to push your team higher. Your time to experience coffee that actually matters.
Ready to experience 787 Coffee like our summit attendees did? Order a 5 lb bag and taste the difference of farm-to-cup coffee. Or visit one of our locations across NYC, Texas, Puerto Rico, and New Jersey.
Your time is now.
Visit us at 787Coffee.com/YourTimeIsNow to learn more about the summit speakers and our 2026 vision.
A Word From Our Founder
At 787 Coffee, we're not just selling coffee. We're building a movement—a commitment to grow the humans who serve you, to protect the earth that grows our beans, and to create spaces where your time, your energy, and your dreams matter.
Our 2025 End-of-Year Summit wasn't the end of anything. It was a moment where we caught our breath, celebrated what we built together, and committed to pushing higher in 2026.
The coolest humans work here because they chose to. They chose to be part of something bigger than a paycheck. And that choice shows in every cup.
Your time is now. Let's build something together.
— Brandon Peña, Founder & CEO, 787 Coffee
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