5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

In today’s episode, we're speaking Gabriel Shohet, Co-founder of of UK coffee trailblazer Black Sheep Coffee.Founded in 2013 with friend and business partner Eirik Holth, Black Sheep had a bold vision: to champion specialty-grade robusta at a time when the industry was almost entirely focused on arabica. Since then, the brand has achieved remarkable success, scaling to over 130 outlets across five markets and capturing the attention of a new generation of coffee drinkers along the way. In this conversation, Gabriel reflects on Black Sheep’s philosophy of challenging the status quo and choosing not to blindly follow industry trends. He also shares insight into the brand’s US expansion strategy – targeting Sunbelt states like Texas and Florida over more well-trodden markets such as New York and LA – to show the model resonates with a broader, more inclusive American audience.Credits music: "Shock Me" by Gina Zo in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Emi Fukahori and Mathieu Theis, Co-founders of Swiss specialty coffee business MAME.Multiple-time Swiss competition winners, Emi and Mathieu founded MAME in Zurich in 2016, driven by a shared passion for coffee tasting, sensory analysis and competition craft, combined with Japanese precision. Today, they operate eight coffee shops across Zurich and Geneva and, one most recently, Tokyo.In this conversation, Emi and Mathieu share their guiding principles for tailoring every guest experience and creating memorable coffee moments. They also discuss how they’ve drawn inspiration from Michelin-starred chefs to scale high-quality and maintain a strong brand identity as they grow internationally.Credits music: "Lay on Grass" by Sam Stokes in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode, we explore Vienna’s fascinating and distinct coffee culture – from the grand 19th-century coffee houses that shaped the city’s intellectual life to the specialty scene redefining coffee today.What is the lasting legacy of Vienna’s historic coffee houses? How do heritage and modernity coexist in Vienna? And how has specialty coffee carved out its place within the city's deeply rooted café tradition?We’ll hear from Art Historian Jamie Reurs, Johanna Parker (née Wechselberger), Founder of The Vienna School of Coffee and Philip Feyer Founder, of Jonas Reindl Coffee Roasters.Credits music: "Miraculous Wonders" by Akeira Jade in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showTo The Coffee House by Peter Altenberg If you have troubles of one sort or another – to the coffee houseShe can't come to you for some reason, no matter how plausible – to the coffee houseYou have holes in your shoes – the coffee houseYou have a salary of 400 crowns and spend 500 – the coffee houseYou are frugal and permit yourself nothing – the coffee houseYou find no woman who suits you – the coffee houseYou hate and disdain people and yet you cannot do without them – go to the coffee houseNobody extends you any more credit anywhere – the coffee house Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode, we’re sharing two standout conversations recorded live on stage at the European Coffee Symposium last year, featuring Brazil’s The Coffee and Germany’s Lap Coffee – two highly ambitious, scalable brands built for the modern consumer.First, Frank Maeda, Head of Europe at The Coffee, explores the brand’s rapid global expansion, shaped by Japanese minimalism, high-tech efficiency and a digital-first approach.Then, Tonalli Arreola, Co-Founder of Lap Coffee, shares how automation and digitisation streamline operations, freeing up baristas to focus on what matters most – the hospitality experience.Credits music: "Good Morning" by Lua de Morais and Sharon Mor in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode, we welcome back to the studio Edwin Harrison, Co-founder of London’s Artisan and Curious Roo Coffee Roasters.Founded in 2011 by Edwin and his wife Magda, Artisan is a pioneering and influential voice in London’s specialty coffee scene. Edwin and Magda also run the Artisan Coffee School, where they share their expertise and work to elevate standards across the industry.In this conversation, Edwin shares the very ambitious project he’s about to undertake with his family: An extraordinary 20,000 kilometre coffee journey over land and sea from London to Perth, Australia, in attempt to break the record for the furthest coffee bag ever delivered by hand.Follow Edwin and Magda's journey here.Credits music: "Earth Song" by Zana Messia in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Today, we’re bringing you two live recordings from last year’s European Coffee Symposium, featuring conversations with Joe & The Juice and Hagen. While both are Danish-inspired concepts, each offers a distinct perspective on growth and the customer experience.Thomas Nørøxe, CEO of Joe & The Juice, shares how the business has built a high-performance culture rooted in energy, ambition and personal development. He also explains how innovation across the brand is guided by four core pillars: health, experience, convenience and sustainability.Tim Schroeder, CEO and Founder of boutique specialty coffee chain Hagen, shares his philosophy of building an analogue brand in a digital world and why he prioritises human connection and in-store experiences over a reliance on digital technology.Credits music: "Heather" by Ayngi in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Today we’re bringing you a special episode in collaboration with the London Coffee Guide and Podcast, and republishing an insightful conversation with Nick Mabey and Michael Cleland, co-founders of London’s Assembly Coffee.Founded in 2015, Assembly Coffee is an innovative specialty coffee roastery known for its commitment to sustainability and excellence. In this conversation, Nick and Michael discuss what it means to define your own version of success, and how to scale a business with sustainability at its heart.For more on London’s specialty scene and interviews with the likes of Special Guests, Batch Baby and Hermanos, tune into the London Coffee Podcast.Credits music: "Soho" by Eirra in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Today we’re bringing you another session recorded live at the European Coffee Symposium + COHO. Taking to the stage is Gerd Müller-Pfeiffer, Founder of International Coffee Consulting.In this session, Gerd explores the key trends shaping the DACH coffee shop market and how consumers are continuing to trade up and seek premium experiences despite ongoing inflation pressures. He also highlights how the bakery segment has quietly become a critical engine of out-of-home coffee growth across Germany.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

As we take a short break over the New Year period we’re bringing you a couple of our favourite conversations from the past year. We start with Christophe Servell, Founder of Terres de Café - a trailblazing Paris-based specialty roaster and café group.In this conversation, Christophe discusses the evolution of the specialty coffee landscape in Paris as well as the challenges and future opportunities for coffee across France.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

As a special Christmas bonus episode we're bringing you a playlist of some of our favourite The Coffee Music Project tracks featured on the podcast this year - including a few special Festive numbers from our talented artists.Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all those celebrating. We wish everyone a warm and peaceful end to the year, and a happy start to 2026.Tracklist:Attention by Dudley MusicCarolina Gold by DANIChristmas Time by Erin BowmanFly To You by Matt Kent and Daisy ChuteI Wish You Love by Mimi RoseIf You're Wondering by Zana MessiaNot Mine by Alessia PiermariniPlane Jane by LexieRide with Santa by Natalie GoodSad Old Baby Dolls by The MistyTalk About A Movie by Z.M.AThe Weight by EirraThank you to SEB Collective for all your support, creativity and championing of emerging and talented musicians.Discover more of the artists featured on the podcast by tuning into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In this episode, we continue the conversation around technology, automation and the future of coffee with an expert panel discussion recorded at the COHO Business Insight Summit.In this session we're joined by Scott Martin, CEO, Unity Coffee, Miranda Caldwell, Marketing Director, Eversys, and Boris Zwick, CEO, Übermilk, to explore the latest advancements in technology and how automation helps baristas deliver quality and consistency at scale.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

We continue our European Coffee Symposium + COHO series with a keynote from Scott Martin, founder of Unity Coffee and the mastermind behind Coffee Nation and Costa Express.In this fascinating session, Scott explores the impact of technology and automation on our industry, arguing that robust infrastructure will outlast flashy innovation. He also shares why the future of coffee will not be defined by “human vs. machine” but a seamless combination of both.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Continuing our series of unfiltered discussions from The European Coffee Symposium, we are at the COHO Head of Coffee Summit, led by James Hennebry, Co-founder of Rosslyn Coffee. James is joined by an exceptional panel of leaders: Agnes Potter, Managing Director, Allpress UK, Josh Brown, Commercial Director. WatchHouse, Julian Weresch, Head of Coffee UK&I, Sodexo and Travis Wilson, Head of Coffee, La Maison.This candid and inspiring session brought together some of the most experienced minds in specialty coffee to explore what truly moves the dial when scaling a high-quality coffee programme across multiple sites.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Next in our series of unfiltered talks from the European Coffee Symposium + COHO stages, we turn our attention to the future of the UK coffee shop market with a panel of seasoned leaders in specialty coffee.We’re joined by Marta Pogroszewska, Non-Executive Director, Bread Holdings, Paul Kelly, Global Marketing Director, La Marzocco, and Caroline Ottoy, Managing Director, WatchHouse. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Next up in our European Coffee Symposium Live series, is a talk from Egor Kolpakov, Founder & CEO of The Miners – an unconventional specialty coffee chain from Prague that’s expanding at remarkable pace across Europe.In this session, Egor shares his vision to inject the energy of New York’s coffee scene into Eastern Europe, and discusses how The Miners’ fast-paced, movement-driven service model is designed for efficiency, connection and contemporary active lifestyle.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Last month saw the return of the European Coffee Symposium (ECS) + COHO in Berlin. Across three days, we welcomed 50 influential speakers from around the world to share their insights, inspiration, and bold ideas shaping the future of coffee and hospitality.Over the coming weeks, we’ll bring you a collection of these unfiltered conversations, panel discussions and keynote sessions – direct from the ECS + COHO stages. We start with a talk by Matt Chitharanjan, Co-founder & CEO of Blue Tokai – a coffee shop chain and specialty coffee roastery in India. In this session, Matt offers sharp insights into India’s rapidly-growing coffee market, highlighting the huge opportunities in an under-served coffee landscape, and the difficulties of balancing growth with profitability.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode, we're joined by Sarina Prabasi, Co-founder of Buunni Coffee – a business of two community-driven cafés and a wholesale roastery based in New York City.Sarina has had a remarkable journey from her native Nepal via Ethiopia to New York City. She’s also had impressive career in social justice and sustainability, especially in her role as CEO of WaterAid USA.She founded Buunni Coffee in 2011 with her partner, Elias Gurmu, Their vision was to share exceptional Ethiopian coffee and hospitality with New Yorkers, while creating spaces that nurture connection, community and joy.In this conversation, Sarina reflects on the realities of starting a business, the immigrant experience, and what it means to build a meaningful community in a new city. We also unpack her memoir, The Coffeehouse Resistance: Brewing Hope in Desperate Times, highlighting how cafés can become places for connection with a deep sense of belonging.Credits music: "The Weight" by Eirra in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the dos and don’ts of signing a retail property lease – from due diligence and heads of terms to rent reviews and exit strategies.We'll speak with a leading broker and two real estate lawyers in London and New York to uncover how operators can navigate the small print, negotiate a fair deal, and protect themselves from personal exposure.Our guests are Russel Helbling, Managing Director, Katz & Associates, Jason Dunietz, Real Estate Group Chair, Helbraun & Levey, Ian Leigh, Partner, CBG.Credits music: "Talk About A Movie" by Z.M.A in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode we're delighted to be speaking with Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association.First established in the 1980s, the SCA is the largest coffee trade body globally and represents thousands of coffee professionals – from producers to baristas – all over the world.In this conversation, Yannis discusses the evolution of the SCA and its ongoing efforts to make coffee more sustainable, equitable, and resilient, through research, standards, and education. He also shares his perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities in the industry, from climate change and sustainability to navigating economic uncertainty and the evolving role of technology and AI.Credits music: "I Wish You Love" by Mimi Rose in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Today’s episode is the second instalment in our two-part feature exploring the opportunity for Australian-grown coffee.In part one, we looked back at the history, commercial viability, and sustainability potential of Australian coffee farming. In this episode, we’re turning our attention to what lies ahead and the developments that are shaping the next chapter for Australian coffee.We’ll hear from scientist Tobias Kretzschmar about new coffee varietals being developed with Southern Cross University, and David Kennedy, Founder of Bun Coffee about how Australia’s specialty scene is embracing home-grown coffee.Credits music: "Nothing is Forever" by Australian artist Georgia Mooney in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the showSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear