Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world; however, you might be surprised to know the No. 2 spot goes to Vietnam. Salt Lake City's coffee scene is heating up with companies like Java Jo's, owned by brothers and business partners, Ryan and Chad Corbin.
When Ryan moved to Salt Lake City after his college graduation, he came for the skiing. Once he got here, he realized there weren't any drive-thru coffee shops. With his family's help, he and Chad opened Java Jo's in Salt Lake City.
Fast forward 16 years — Ryan and Chad employ 27 people at three locations, and will be opening another location soon on the corner of 13th East and 9th South in Salt Lake City. That will bring their total employment to 38! With businesses like Java Jo's, it's no wonder Utah's economic growth of 2.6 percent in the past year is double the national average, according to the Salt Lake Chamber.
The staff at Java Jo's knows their coffee and serve high-quality product like Italian roast Lavazza (luh-vats-uh) beans. Ryan says anybody can make coffee, but Java Jo's distinguishes themselves by focusing on service too, and it's working. The average customer comes in three times each week, and the number of people who stop by six times per week is high.
Another way that the staff at Java Jo's focuses on service is in the way they treat their customers. Ryan can't stand going into a coffee shop where he is talked down to or isn't thanked for leaving a tip. Employees at Java Jo's have incentives to treat customers well. Ryan and Chad have a secret shopper program where managers and baristas get bonuses and rewards based on customer experience. Also, managers get rewards for increasing business. To get the right employees, they hire people they can train in the Java Jo's way.
Speaking on Business is now on video. Check out the video edition of our radio program on the Zions Direct TV YouTube Channel. That's Zions Direct TV.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Java Jo's With four locations along the Wasatch Front 801-590-8898
