Our recurring round-up of the newest specialty-coffee business information.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Featured picture by Joshua Earle

After Many years of Household Possession, BUNN is Acquired by Ali Group

BUNN, recognized for its iconic drip brewers present in diners, eating places, and low outlets throughout the U.S., has been acquired by foodservice gear producer Ali Group, after being family-owned for 5 generations.

Worldwide Ladies’s Espresso Alliance Welcomes Canada as Its thirty seventh International Chapter

Marking a major milestone for the Canadian espresso business, the Worldwide Ladies’s Espresso Alliance (IWCA) has formally welcomed Canada as its thirty seventh chapter.

“To me, IWCA Canada is greater than a formality—it’s on the intersection of worldwide cooperation, espresso excellence, and essentially the most important empowerment of ladies,” IWCA Canada co-founder Isabelle Huard acknowledged in a press launch. “This chapter proves that solidarity can redefine our business, creating an area the place girls’s expertise and fairness meet to construct a fairer worth chain.” 

Wenbo Yang is Named 2026 U.S. Espresso Roasting Champion

Early this month, Wenbo “Joe” Yang of Washington’s Cozy Monster Espresso Roasters gained the 2026 U.S. Espresso Roasting Championship, with a lightweight roast of Finca Deborah’s Elipse Gesha from Savage Espresso.

Royal Cup Set to Purchase Farmer Brothers

Alabama-based Royal Cup Espresso & Tea has introduced plans to accumulate Texas’ Farmer Brothers Espresso Co., merging two long-time rivals. The deal is ready to shut by mid-2026.

Reason behind Ruskeys’ Demise Discovered to Be Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Co-founders of Goleta, California’s Frinj Espresso Jay and Kristen Ruskey tragically handed away of their sleep in early February, at a good friend’s dwelling in Cambria. After weeks of uncertainty, the reason for demise was decided to be carbon monoxide poisoning. Learn the complete story right here.

All through March, Verve Espresso Will Increase Funds for Worldwide Ladies’s Espresso Alliance

In honor of Worldwide Ladies’s Historical past Month, California’s Verve Espresso will donate 10% of gross sales from women-produced coffees to the Worldwide Ladies’s Espresso Alliance. “We’re proud to associate with the IWCA, with a portion of proceeds going straight towards management, financial independence, and amplifying voices on the supply,” the espresso firm wrote on Instagram.

Subscribe and Extra!

As at all times, you possibly can learn Barista Journal in paper by subscribing or ordering a difficulty.

Help Barista Journal with a Membership.

Signup for our weekly e-newsletter.

Learn the February + March 2026 Difficulty at no cost with our digital version. 

Without cost entry to greater than 5 years’ price of points, go to our digital version archives right here.