Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Stumptown Coffee Roasters has been a transformative force in specialty coffee since its founding in Portland, Oregon, in 1999 by Duane Sorenson. From its beginnings, Stumptown set out to redefine coffee’s potential—shifting it from a commodity product to a craft-driven, transparent industry. Even after being acquired by JAB Holding Company in 2015, a global conglomerate known for its portfolio of coffee brands, Stumptown has maintained its reputation as one of the original pioneers of the third-wave coffee movement.

Redefining Coffee with Direct Trade

From the start, Stumptown differentiated itself by emphasizing quality, transparency, and sustainability. It was one of the first roasters to focus on direct trade sourcing, building direct relationships with coffee farmers rather than working through brokers. This approach ensured higher prices for farmers, greater equity in the supply chain, and exceptional quality for consumers. By paying well above Fair Trade standards, Stumptown set a new benchmark for ethical sourcing and reshaped the way the industry approached coffee production.

Stumptown’s roasting philosophy also stood apart. Rather than creating a uniform roast profile, the company highlighted the unique characteristics of each bean, showcasing the distinct flavor notes of different origins. This attention to detail quickly earned Stumptown a dedicated following and cemented Portland’s reputation as a hub for specialty coffee.

Growth and JAB Acquisition

By the mid-2000s, Stumptown had expanded beyond Portland, opening cafes in cities like Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles. These locations were more than coffee shops—they were immersive experiences, designed to educate and engage consumers about the craft behind their coffee. Stumptown also became an early leader in the cold brew movement, introducing its bottled cold brew to widespread acclaim and helping popularize the category.

In 2015, Stumptown was acquired by JAB Holding Company, a multinational conglomerate with stakes in several major coffee brands. While the acquisition raised questions about whether the company could maintain its independent spirit, Stumptown has continued to operate with its original values intact. Under JAB’s ownership, the brand has expanded its presence while staying largely true to its emphasis on quality and innovation. Of course there are limitations when distributing at the scale they do.

Becoming a Certified B Corporation

In 2018, Stumptown took another significant step by becoming a certified B Corporation. This designation formalized its commitment to balancing profit with purpose, ensuring that its operations align with social and environmental responsibility. B Corp certification requires meeting stringent standards in areas such as sustainability, accountability, and transparency. For Stumptown, this was a natural extension of its long-standing practices, further reinforcing its role as a leader in ethical business practices within the coffee industry.

Challenges and Adaptations

Navigating a competitive and evolving market, Stumptown has faced the challenge of balancing growth with its founding principles. As specialty coffee has become more mainstream, the company has had to maintain its leadership in an increasingly crowded field. Innovations like its expanded cold brew line and sustainability initiatives have been central to its strategy, allowing Stumptown to adapt while retaining its core identity.

A Lasting Impact

Stumptown’s influence on the coffee industry is undeniable. It helped pioneer the direct trade model, elevate single-origin coffee, and popularize a more artisanal approach to coffee roasting and brewing. Its role in shaping the third-wave coffee movement has left a lasting mark, inspiring countless roasters and coffee professionals to view coffee as a craft rather than a commodity.

-Theo Chan, Managing Editor