Lucky Goat Coffee Co

Lucky Goat Coffee Co. was founded in 2010 by Ben Pautsch in Tallahassee, Florida. For its first five years, the company operated exclusively as a wholesale roaster and supplier, focusing on providing freshly roasted coffee and equipment to businesses across the Southeast. This period allowed the company to establish its technical roasting operations and supply chain infrastructure before transitioning into the retail sector. In 2015, the company opened its first retail café, eventually expanding its footprint to include multiple locations and, by 2020, entering new markets through a franchising model.

The company’s sourcing philosophy centers on the procurement of specialty-grade coffee, defined by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) as beans scoring 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale. Lucky Goat emphasizes the importance of origin, altitude, and soil composition in determining the final cup quality. Their portfolio includes a mix of single-origin offerings, which highlight specific growing regions and micro-lots, alongside various blends designed to achieve specific flavor profiles ranging from light and juicy to bold and savory.

Operationally, Lucky Goat functions as both a roaster and a service provider for the coffee industry. Beyond roasting, the company offers café consultation, equipment servicing, and training services. This integrated approach allows them to support wholesale partners with menu development and technical support, a strategy rooted in the company's early years as a wholesale-only entity. They also provide private label services, allowing partners to utilize their roasting and design capabilities for custom-branded coffee products.

In terms of product variety, the company processes coffee in multiple formats, including whole bean, ground, and single-serve pods. Their retail presence has grown from its Tallahassee roots to include locations across the Southeast, supported by a distribution network that serves clients nationally. The company maintains a focus on exploring innovative processing methods at the farm level to enhance the distinct characteristics of the coffees they source.

While the company has seen changes in its business structure—including a 2013 split where Pautsch retained the Lucky Goat brand while other partners focused on equipment distribution—it has maintained a consistent focus on its core mission of roasting specialty coffee. The brand continues to operate its roastery and headquarters in Tallahassee, serving as a hub for its regional retail and wholesale operations.

Today, Lucky Goat Coffee Co. represents a mid-sized specialty roaster that balances a direct-to-consumer retail model with a robust wholesale and private label business. By maintaining a focus on specialty-grade standards and providing comprehensive support services to other businesses, the company has established a significant presence in the Florida coffee market and beyond.