Absolute Numbers LLC

For over two decades, we’ve helped craft beverage businesses and restaurants navigate financial complexities, scale sustainably, and thrive in competitive markets. While we’ve worked with coffee businesses before, we’re now taking a bigger position in this space—leveraging our deep experience in craft beverages to provide specialized support to roasters and cafés.

Specialty Coffee: A Resilient Industry Adapting to Change

Specialty coffee remains a dynamic and resilient segment of the craft beverage industry. While this market has been well-established for decades, recent challenges—ranging from inflation to supply chain disruptions—have pushed coffee businesses to evolve. We’ve seen firsthand the rise of contract roasting, co-op models, and the expansion of California-based coffee farms. Roasters are always finding new ways to innovate and meet consumer demand for high-quality coffee with no sign of slowing.

Experience That Translates

Having spent years immersed in the craft beverage industry, we understand what it takes to succeed in a market driven by quality, brand loyalty, and operational efficiency. The financial and operational challenges faced by coffee roasters—scaling without sacrificing quality, managing fluctuating costs, and optimizing distribution—closely parallel those of craft brewers. That’s where our expertise comes in.

We help specialty coffee businesses:

Balancing Pricing, Costs & Profitability – Just as craft brewers must balance ingredient costs with menu pricing, roasters need to accurately track unit costs by roast profile and set intentional pricing strategies. We help businesses understand their cost structures and profitability, a challenge that becomes even more complex as they grow and scale production.

Managing Seasonal Fluctuations – Like restaurants adjusting to shifting dining trends, coffee businesses face seasonal demand changes and supply chain variability. We help businesses maintain steady cash flow year-round by developing financial forecasting tools, implementing best practices, and training managers on budgeting and inventory planning.

Optimizing Sales Channels & Operations – Specialty coffee businesses need a well-integrated strategy for managing multiple revenue streams, from wholesale and retail to online sales. We provide financial insights and operational strategies for:

• Connecting and leveraging software suites for seamless financial tracking

• Managing direct-to-consumer (DTC) web sales and subscriptions

• Structuring and negotiating supplier contracts (similar to hop contracts in beer)

• Balancing wholesale vs. retail operations, pricing, and overhead allocation

A Legacy of Expertise, A Future of Possibilities

At Absolute Numbers, our foundation has always been in supporting craft businesses—helping breweries, distilleries, and restaurants build financial systems that allow them to thrive. As we expand into craft coffee, we’re excited to bring that same dedication and insight to a new generation of artisans. And this is just the beginning—our passion for helping small businesses grow means we’re always looking ahead to what’s next.

Wherever your craft takes you, we’re here to help. Let’s talk.