The first ever Ultimate Coffee Profitability Seminar held January 10-11 at the American Barista & Coffee School (ABC's) in Portland, attracted both coffee business owners looking to improve their bottom lines and industry professionals wanting to obtain information to help their customers prosper in today's economic uncertainty. The inaugural seminar in Portland was so successful that an additional class has been added in Portland January 31-February, followed by a March 21-22 session in Seattle.

“The first Ultimate Coffee Profitability Seminar in Portland was so well received we have added a second Portland seminar at the end of January,” said Bruce Milletto, founder of ABC’s and president of Bellissimo Coffee InfoGroup. “I was happy to see how many retailers realized the value and timeliness of this seminar, some even traveling from other parts of the U.S. and Canada to attend. Even though I’ve been consulting and helping companies in the coffee business worldwide for more than 20 years, I learned dozens of things from Chris Legler that will help me take my knowledge to the next level. The seminar is worth every minute, and the amazing information the attendees received can make or break their operations.”

The goal of The Ultimate Coffee Profitability Seminar is to help retailers take a proactive and educated approach to business by giving them the tools they need to increase sales through effective marketing and the skills to manage the financial side of their businesses.

"This class is truly amazing for anyone in the coffee business,” said Matt Milletto, director of ABC’s, who was also in attendence. “Chris Legler provides the tools for you as an owner to start thinking as a financial strategist, and teaches you how to evaluate every dollar spent and how to determine the best return on your investment in every aspect of your business. I've managed multiple coffee bars in the past and learned so much in two days that it makes me want to open another retail operation someday soon.”

The cost of the seminar is $495, but to help their customers, more than 150 roasters and allied companies throughout the U.S. are offering $200 subsidies, for a total cost to retailers of only $295.

Seminar includes a Financial Workbook to help attendees assess the financial health of their businesses and Continental Breakfast.

For on-line registration and further information on how to obtain a subsidy, visit the Coffee School Website or call 800.655.3955.

What Attendees Say:

• Revenue Management: How to use sales analysis to grow your business
• Marketing Analysis and Implementation: Understanding promotions, brand development,
• cross marketing and the importance of ambiance and menu
• Beverage Costing: How to measure beverage costs and how to use the information
• Loss Prevention through cash and inventory control
• Labor Management: Understand how many hours are needed, how to pay for and account for managers and how to develop incentive plans for growth
• Expense Management: Understand which expenses are necessary
• Inventory Management: How to optimize inventory, true costs of inventory and managing payment terms
• Large investments, including how to evaluate equipment purchases and understanding when it is time to grow
• Proforma Development: How to evaluate a new site financially through sales development, cost management and an understanding of occupancy costs
• Financing Options: Understand which options are best for your situation
• Development of a Budget and prioritization of financial needs

Chris has been a Financial Strategist for more than 18 years with experiences in the coffee, retail, entertainment and manufacturing industries. As owner and roaster of a coffee roasting/wholesale company in Northern California, Chris gained an understanding of the needs and challenges that face small businesses. Chris’s hands on approach and deep understanding of the coffee business provide excellent insight in financial planning for coffee retailers, wholesalers and roasters.

Chris’ background in providing assistance in developing tools such as sales analysis, beverage costing models, labor modeling, and project analysis is extensive. He has helped a variety of companies in understanding their strategic mission and creating an actionable, tactical plan to achieve these goals. Identifying and locating business growth opportunities, creating cost saving measures and prioritization of action steps is one of Chris’ great strengths.

Chris has held executive positions in finance and administration, marketing, retail operations and strategic planning. He was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Barnie’s Coffee and Tea Company and has held positions of increasing responsibility with Starbucks Coffee Company, Sony, British Petroleum, Blockbuster Entertainment, Eddie Bauer and Hasbro.

While at Starbucks, Chris participated in the early high growth of the company as they grew from less than 50 stores to over 2,000 during his tenure. He was instrumental at developing the initial beverage costing models including gaining a deep understanding of cost components, condiment usage and regional variances in beverage production. He also worked heavily with Real Estate, Retail Operations and Marketing. Projects included development of proforma models that projected new store economics prior to lease negotiations, implementation of cash control and loss prevention measures and installation of labor scheduling models and systems.

Chris earned his MBA in Operations Management and International Business from Seattle University and his Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from Pacific Lutheran University.

More Rave Reviews: