Caffe Ladro
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Coffeehouse |
| Founded | January 1, 1994 in Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Founder | Jack Kelly, Bob Ohly |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Area served | Seattle metropolitan area, Kirkland, Washington |
| Products | Coffee, pastries, light meals (including vegetarian options) |
| Website | www |
Caffe Ladro is a coffeehouse chain and roastery located in the Seattle metropolitan area, Washington. Established in 1994 by founders Jack Kelly and Bob Ohly in Seattle's Queen Anne district, the company operated fifteen outlets as of 2017.
Description
The name Caffe Ladro translates from Italian as "coffee thief." The company is distinguished by its practice of roasting coffee beans and baking pastries at a centralized facility. Its business approach focuses on delivering premium coffee, consistent customer service, and offering light meals that include vegetarian selections. As noted in Moon Seattle (2019), Caffe Ladro is celebrated for its dependable quality, while the Not for Tourists Guide to Seattle emphasizes its popularity among aficionados of strong coffee. The Seattle-based headquarters plays a key role in maintaining the brand’s influence within the competitive regional coffee market.
History
Jack Kelly and Bob Ohly launched Caffe Ladro in 1994. By 2002, it became the first multi-location chain in the United States to exclusively offer fair trade coffee. The company expanded to 16 locations by 2022, growing further to 18 by 2023, primarily serving the Seattle and Kirkland areas in Washington.
Caffe Ladro received national attention when it was featured on season one of Rachael Ray’s $40 a Day in 2002. During the COVID-19 crisis, the company introduced a special blend to raise funds for the Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, reflecting its dedication to community support.
The company’s strategy centers on sustainable sourcing practices, active community engagement, and measured growth throughout the Pacific Northwest, solidifying its position within the specialty coffee sector.
Reception
In Seattle Magazine's 2017 readers' choice awards, Caffe Ladro earned recognition as the Best Independent Coffee Shop. Callie Craighead included it in a 2021 Seattle Post-Intelligencer feature on top local coffee establishments, identifying it as a prominent regional chain noted for high-quality beverages. The business was also shortlisted in the Bellevue Reporter's Bell of Bellevue awards in 2021. Furthermore, Seattle Metropolitan listed Caffe Ladro among its 2022 "destination" coffee shops, and Eat This, Not That named it one of "9 Coffee Shop Chains with the Best Quality Coffee in America" in 2023.
See also
External links
- Caffe Ladro at the Food Network