Press Coverage
2009 Articles - 2008 Articles - 2007 Articles - 2006 Articles - 2004-2005 Articles
Pacific Business News - May 15, 2009
Waimea company helps perk up Romanian coffee
The Pacific Business News in Honolulu picked up on my story about the Turabo Cafe roasting plant development contract.
Specialty Coffee Retailer - May, 2009
Decorating Your Dream, Cafe Furnishings, Decor Should be True to Your Theme
The May edition of Specialty Coffee Retailer features the article "Decorating Your Dream: Cafe Furnishings, Decor Should be True to Your Theme," which includes comments from Andrew Hetzel and others intended to shed light on the all-important process of developing cafe decor to enhance a retail brand.
Read Andrew Hetzel's commentary: The Last Word on Coffee Shop Decor
Download the article here: Decorating Your Dream (2.5 mb PDF)
CNN.COM - April 20, 2009
Baristas Battle for the Crown (video)
Baristas from around the world pulled espressos, cappuccinos and specialty drinks in Atlanta to compete for the 2009 World Barista Championship title. Andrew Hetzel describes the competition.
CNN.COM - April 20, 2009
High-end Coffee Business Slows During Recession (but many companies still doing well)
Andrew Hetzel comments for CNN.com on the pace of the specialty coffee industry and its prospects for short term growth.
Restaurants & Institutions Magazine - March 1, 2009
One Quick Question: Andrew Hetzel
Restaurant & Institutions Magazine interviews Andrew Hetzel for his comments on the concept of a Starbucks "value meal" and what it might mean for the future of the brand.
Read the full article here: One Quick Question: Andrew Hetzel
MSNBC - February 19, 2009
Starbucks' strange brew of business plans
MSNBC looks at the quickly shifting business model at Starbucks: is it all "part of a long-term strategy," as suggested by company spokespeople or a series of desperate attempts to increase profitability?
Read the full article here: Starbucks' strange brew of business plans
Columbus Dispatch - February 19, 2009
Coffee lovers lip off about bad lids
Many around the world deal with less than perfect coffee cup lids, but to my knowledge, the story Coffee lovers lip off about bad lids by Joyce Tang of the Columbia News Service is the first to discuss the topic.
As seen in the Columbus Dispatch: Coffee lovers lip off about bad lids
Associated Press - February 17, 2009
Starbucks launching instant coffee
Critics say the move smells of desperation as the chain closes locations in the U.S. and overseas and cuts up to nearly 1,700 jobs.
Andrew Hetzel, the founder of coffee consulting group Cafemakers, said the new product could denigrate the premium positioning that helped create the gourmet coffee industry and made Starbucks the industry leader.
"I see it as being a very short-term approach to a long-term brand problem," Hetzel said. "To me it looks like a big gamble. They're throwing things out there to see what hits."
Read the full article here: Starbucks launching instant coffee
Fortune Magazine - February 13, 2009
Starbucks instant: Will it pass the taste test?
The coffeehouse chain says it's a game changer - but analysts (including Andrew Hetzel) are skeptical.
Read the article here: Starbucks instant: Will it pass the taste test?
Associated Press - February 3, 2009
A value meal at Starbucks? Coming right up
"The allure of the value meal has long seduced penny-pinchers craving a cheeseburger. Now, as the dismal economy slurps up profits, Starbucks Corp. is hoping to find some sales salvation in its own value meal variety."
Read the full article here: A value meal at Starbucks? Coming right up
Honolulu Advertiser - February 2, 2009
Hawaii firm to provide marketing for leading India coffee company
Kamuela-based Cafemakers LLC has been contracted to provide marketing and public relations services for Kaapi Royale Coffee of Karnataka, India. Kaapi Royale is a leading exporter of specialty Indian Arabica and Robusta coffees, as well as the exclusive exporter of award-winning Sethuraman Estate coffees.
Read the article here: Hawaii firm to provide marketing for leading India coffee company
2009 Articles - 2008 Articles - 2007 Articles - 2006 Articles - 2004-2005 Articles