History of Peet's Coffee

Peet's Coffee has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1966 by Alfred Peet in Berkeley, California. Alfred Peet, a Dutch immigrant, brought his European-style roasting techniques to the United States, revolutionizing the American coffee scene. Peet's Coffee quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality, dark-roasted coffee beans, appealing to discerning coffee enthusiasts who appreciated its bold flavor profile.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Peet's Coffee remained a beloved local institution in the Bay Area, attracting a loyal following of coffee connoisseurs. However, it wasn't until the 1990s that Peet's began to expand beyond its original location. Under the leadership of Jerry Baldwin, one of the co-founders of Starbucks, Peet's embarked on a period of strategic growth, opening new stores across California and eventually expanding to other states. Despite this expansion, Peet's remained committed to its core values of sourcing the finest beans and meticulously roasting them to perfection, ensuring a consistently exceptional coffee experience for its customers.

In the 21st century, Peet's Coffee continued to grow its presence, both through opening new cafes and through acquisitions. In 2012, Peet's was acquired by the German conglomerate Joh. A. Benckiser, which also owns other major coffee brands. This acquisition provided Peet's with additional resources for expansion while allowing it to maintain its dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Today, Peet's Coffee stands as one of the leading specialty coffee roasters in the United States, with a commitment to providing customers with the finest coffee experience possible.