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Rockford, IL

Expanding a purpose driven coffee brand to reach more consumers while supporting first responders.

• Retail momentum: Products stocked in thousands of major grocery stores across the United States.
• Distinctive portfolio: Proprietary Spirit Infused Coffee and premium instant lines differentiate the brand.
• Vertical integration: In house roasting, packaging, and fulfillment support quality and rapid innovation.
• Community commitment: Charitable foundation assists firefighters and veterans affected by duty-related injuries.
• Media reach: Authentic first responder storytelling has built a social following in the multi-million range.

Fire Department Coffee is a veteran and firefighter owned roaster that crafts premium whole bean, ground, pod, and instant coffees at its vertically integrated facility in Rockford, Illinois. Inspired by the role coffee plays in long emergency shifts, the brand has built national recognition through proprietary Spirit Infused coffees, a strong social media presence, and a charitable foundation that supports injured first responders. Its in house roasting, packaging, and fulfillment enable tight quality control while allowing quick innovation that resonates with customers who value purpose driven purchases both online and on store shelves nationwide.

Proceeds from this offering will be used to scale manufacturing capacity, deepen merchandising support in existing national retailers, and accelerate product development into new formats that meet evolving consumer preferences. Additional investment will expand mission based marketing and bolster the Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation, strengthening the company’s connection to the communities it serves. By funding these initiatives, the team aims to increase shelf productivity, grow direct subscription programs, and reinforce its position as a fast growing, impact focused brand within the competitive specialty coffee category.

Company Info

Fire Department Coffee roasts and sells premium and spirit-infused coffees while supporting first responders through its charitable foundation.

Fire Department Coffee is a veteran- and firefighter-owned roaster headquartered in Rockford, Illinois that sources Arabica beans from Central and South America, then roasts, blends, grinds, and packages them in-house. Its catalog spans traditional medium and dark roasts, single-origin lots, coffee pods, instant coffee, and a proprietary Spirit Infused Coffee line that captures bourbon, rum, tequila, and whiskey notes without alcohol. Direct-to-consumer sales flow through its website, subscription clubs, and a first-party email database, while branded mugs, apparel, and gift sets build community around the brand’s firehouse roots.

Wholesale distribution now places Fire Department Coffee on shelves at more than 8,600 Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, and Albertsons stores, fueling a 194 percent year-over-year lift in retail sales and driving total net revenue to about $12 million in 2024. The company operates a vertically integrated roasting and packaging facility that preserves quality control and margins, and it channels a portion of proceeds through its charitable foundation to assist firefighters injured on duty and fund disaster-relief missions with its customized Rescue 1 truck. Near-term priorities include launching new SKUs, boosting shelf velocity with existing retail partners, and expanding presence to more than 10,000 stores nationwide.