Compass Coffee
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Coffee roasting |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Michael Haft |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Washington, D.C., Virginia |
Key people | Michael Haft (Founder), Cullen Gilchrist (CEO) |
| Products | Coffee |
Number of employees | 190 (2024) |
| Website | compasscoffee |
Compass Coffee is an American coffee roasting company headquartered in Washington, D.C., established in 2014 by Michael Haft. As of June 2024, the business manages 18 outlets located throughout Washington, D.C., and Virginia. With a workforce of around 190 employees, the company aims to strengthen its footprint within the regional coffee industry.
History
Michael Haft founded Compass Coffee in 2014, launching its inaugural store in the Shaw district. A second venue in the same neighborhood followed in September 2015. Over the years, the brand extended its reach to additional neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., as well as Arlington, Virginia. In October 2022, the company introduced its first drive-thru location, broadening its retail approach.
In recognition of his efforts, Michael Haft earned the Community Impact Award from the District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce in October 2017. Furthermore, Compass Coffee received commendation during DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 2017 State of the District Address for its role in supporting the Made in DC program and fostering local employment.
Partnerships
Compass Coffee collaborates with Dog Tag Bakery, a vocational initiative that equips disabled military veterans and caregivers with entrepreneurial skills. The coffee roaster supplies beverages to this bakery and Michael Haft engages as a guest lecturer for each training group. Since 2015, Compass has also partnered with The Corp at Georgetown University, a student-run enterprise focused on cultivating leadership and management abilities through operating campus businesses.
Moreover, Compass joined forces with The Washington Post to develop "The Post Roast," a specialty coffee blend honoring The 7, The Post’s newsletter and podcast boasting over a million subscribers and recognized as Apple’s top series of 2022.
Impact of COVID-19
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 compelled Compass Coffee to reduce its workforce by laying off 150 out of 189 employees. The remaining 39 team members experienced wage reductions to $15 per hour, with 20 reassigned to help build a new roasting facility. Additionally, tipping options for credit card transactions were eliminated, further decreasing employee earnings. During this challenging period, Compass secured over $9.9 million in government aid to maintain business continuity.
Controversies
In May 2024, employees at seven Compass Coffee locations declared their intention to unionize under Workers United. The following month, Compass Coffee United accused management of employing tactics to influence union election eligibility by hiring 124 new workers—including lobbyist Liz Brown and CEO Cullen Gilchrist—and altering schedules retroactively. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders publicly criticized these measures on X (formerly Twitter), labeling them "totally absurd & disgusting" and calling on Compass Coffee to "end its union busting."