SUMMARY:

Welcome to the very first episode of Ground Level, a new series from The Coffee Experts Club Podcast that digs deep into the real, practical side of running a drive-through coffee business.

In this kickoff episode, Ben and Drew take you behind the bar to talk about one of the most common struggles for new shop owners — training new employees. From onboarding and flow tests to memorizing recipes and mastering customer service, they share what really works (and what doesn't) when you're building a team from the ground up.

Learn the differences between training in the U.S. and abroad, how to spot early red flags in new hires, and why training should never stop at two weeks. If you're opening your first shop or scaling to multiple locations, this episode gives you a grounded, step-by-step look at how to create confident, consistent baristas who truly represent your brand.

Minute by Minute:

01:21 – Welcome to Ground Level
02:00 – Why Training New Employees Is So Critical
03:17 – How Roasters Structured Their Training Program
05:30 – Adapting Training for Belize's Coffee Culture
07:39 – Flashcards, Recipes, and Real Customer Service Skills
09:21 – Stretching Out Training for Better Results
11:26 – Flow Tests and Why They Matter
13:38 – Consistency, Quality, and the Quarterly Review
15:00 – Training Is Ongoing: The Six-Month Check-In
18:10 – Hiring Smarter and Knowing When to Cut Loose
20:52 – Final Thoughts and Coffee Experts Academy Plug