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Forest Park, IL

Expanding coffee catering operations with a dedicated commissary kitchen.

• Fleet Expansion: Upgrading and scaling the fleet of coffee carts to serve more coffee in Chicagoland.
• Dedicated Kitchen: Establishing a commissary kitchen to enhance operational capacity and revenue potential.
• Corporate Contracts: Secured multi-day contracts with major corporations including RYZE, AllCloud AI, and Firefox.
• Experienced Leadership: Founder with 13 years of upscale fine dining experience in Chicago.
• Sustainability Focus: Committed to using eco-friendly products to minimize environmental impact.

Back to the Grind is expanding its operations by upgrading and scaling its fleet of coffee carts to serve more coffee across the Chicagoland area. The company plans to establish a dedicated commissary kitchen equipped with essential commercial-grade equipment, which will significantly enhance its operational capacity and revenue potential. Currently operating out of a shared kitchen facility, Back to the Grind faces challenges such as limited scheduling flexibility and restricted storage for prepared ingredients needed for high-volume events. With a dedicated kitchen, the company will be able to prepare ingredients in advance, ensure consistent product quality, and streamline cleaning and sanitation between multiple daily events.

This improved infrastructure will enable Back to the Grind to serve larger events efficiently, manage multiple bookings per day, and meet the demands of premium corporate clients. The company has already scaled from a startup to three mobile coffee carts in just 16 months and secured multi-day contracts with major corporations. With 13 years of upscale fine dining experience in Chicago, the founder has built a trusted brand known for exceptional hospitality. The expansion will allow Back to the Grind to hire and train additional baristas, solidifying its position as the premier coffee catering service in the region.

Company Info

Back to the Grind provides premium coffee catering services in Chicagoland, offering handcrafted espresso drinks and branded experiences at events.

Back to the Grind is a coffee catering company based in the Chicagoland area, founded by Kat Briones in 2024. The company specializes in providing premium coffee experiences at events, offering handcrafted espresso drinks and teas served by professional baristas using sleek mobile coffee carts. These carts not only serve beverages but also create branded experiences by displaying custom logos on cups and cart displays, making each event memorable. Back to the Grind caters to a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to large corporate functions, partnering with organizations like Oakton College and Firefox to deliver exceptional hospitality.

The company is focused on expanding its operational capacity by establishing a dedicated commissary kitchen, which will allow for more efficient preparation and storage of ingredients. This expansion will enable Back to the Grind to serve larger events and manage multiple bookings simultaneously. By investing in additional espresso carts and upgraded equipment, the company aims to solidify its position as the premier coffee catering service in the region, while maintaining its commitment to sustainability and exceptional service.