Metric Coffee

Metric Coffee is a specialty coffee roastery and retailer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 2013, the company has grown into a prominent fixture of the city's coffee scene, operating with a focus on technical precision and a commitment to the entire supply chain. The company’s operations are centralized in a facility designed as a working roastery rather than a showroom, housing green coffee evaluation, sample roasting, production, quality control, and educational programming in a single space.

The company was founded on a philosophy that prioritizes quality and the welfare of producers, often summarized by the team as placing people over profit. This approach manifests in their sourcing strategy, which involves working directly with producers across approximately eight countries. By maintaining long-term relationships with farmers, Metric aims to provide full-spectrum equity, ensuring that the premiums paid for coffee support the sustainability of the farms and the livelihoods of those involved in production.

Transparency is a core pillar of Metric’s business model. The company documents its sourcing practices and provides context for its offerings, believing that the future of the industry depends on clear communication regarding the origin and cost of coffee. This commitment to transparency extends to their editorial efforts, such as the publication 'Source Code,' which was launched to provide deeper insights into their sourcing philosophy and the stories behind the coffees they roast.

In 2020, the company underwent a significant brand overhaul to refine its visual identity and messaging. Working with creative director Lauren Gallagher, the team sought to move away from complex branding in favor of a cleaner, more timeless aesthetic that reflects their focus on craftsmanship. This evolution was part of a broader effort to align their public-facing image with their internal values of simplicity and intentionality.

Metric’s role in the coffee community extends beyond roasting and retail. Their facility serves as a hub for training and development, offering education for baristas, wholesale partners, and internal staff. By fostering a culture of shared standards and technical rigor, the company aims to elevate the craft of coffee preparation and ensure that the quality achieved at the farm level is preserved through the roasting and brewing processes.

Today, Metric continues to operate as an independent entity, managing its own roasting production and retail presence in Chicago. Their business model includes a robust online retail platform, coffee subscriptions, and wholesale partnerships. By maintaining an open, working operation, the company invites customers to engage with the realities of coffee production, effectively connecting the consumer to the specific people and places responsible for their daily cup.