Farmer Brothers
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Coffee, foodservice |
| Founded | 1912 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Roy E. Farmer |
| Headquarters | Northlake, Texas , United States |
Key people | John Moore (President and CEO) |
| Products | Coffee, tea, foodservice products |
Farmer Bros. Co. is a U.S.-based coffee foodservice enterprise located in Northlake, Texas. The company focuses on the production and distribution of coffee, tea, and nearly 300 additional foodservice products tailored for restaurants and commercial clients. John Moore currently holds the positions of president and CEO.
Company history
Established in 1912 by businessman Roy E. Farmer in Los Angeles, California, the firm initially engaged in roasting coffee beans and selling them directly to customers. It became incorporated in 1923 and expanded its operations by acquiring Western Urn Manufacturing, entering the coffee equipment market. By the 1930s, Farmer Bros. had broadened its product range within foodservice and was roasting over three million pounds of coffee annually by 1939.
During the Second World War, the company redirected its manufacturing efforts to support military needs. In 1949, it inaugurated a 20-acre headquarters and production site in Torrance, California, increasing annual coffee sales to more than 14 million pounds. Following Roy E. Farmer’s passing in 1951, his son Roy F. Farmer assumed leadership and took the company public in 1952 under the NASDAQ ticker FARM. Under his guidance, Farmer Bros. enhanced production processes, diversified into herbs and spices by 1963, introduced an Office Coffee Division in 1972, and achieved nationwide expansion by 1988.
By 1998, with Roy F. as chairman and CEO, the company reported $240 million in revenue and operated nearly 100 branches across 29 western states. During this period, shareholders pushed for increased transparency and independent board representation. Roy F. Farmer passed away in 2004 after over fifty years leading the company without designating a successor.
Following his tenure, leadership included CEOs Guenter Berger and Roger M. Laverty III. Under Laverty’s management, Farmer Bros. pursued strategic acquisitions to enhance market presence: acquiring Coffee Bean International along with its Panache brand in 2007, then purchasing Sara Lee’s direct store delivery coffee division in 2009 for $45 million. Laverty retired in 2011; interim co-CEOs Jeffrey Wahba and Patrick Criteser were appointed thereafter.
In 2010, Farmer Bros. initiated its first Direct Trade partnership and launched Public Domain Coffee House in Portland, Oregon. The centennial celebration occurred in 2012 alongside Michael Keown’s appointment as CEO; he brought prior experience from WhiteWave Foods (a Dean Foods subsidiary). Mark Nelson joined as CFO in 2013.
In April 2015, the company moved its headquarters from Torrance to Northlake, Texas, concurrently expanding its Project D.I.R.E.C.T. sustainability program into Nicaragua. Growth continued with acquisitions of China Mist Tea (2016), followed by Boyd's Coffee and West Coast Coffee (2017). Project D.I.R.E.C.T. further extended operations into Brazil by 2018.
Deverl Maserang became CEO and president in September 2019, with Scott Drake stepping in as CFO in March 2020. In 2021, Farmer Bros. introduced Revive Equipment Service & Restoration, formed a partnership with High Brew Coffee, and opened a new West Coast distribution center covering over 150,000 square feet in Rialto, California. The direct ship business was divested to Treehouse Foods in June 2023. John Moore took over as president and CEO in May 2024.
Public Domain Coffee
In its pursuit of growth within the specialty coffee sector, Farmer Brothers acquired Coffee Bean International and introduced Public Domain in April 2010. This brand operates as the company's premier coffeehouse and a dedicated training center for baristas. Situated in downtown Portland, Oregon, where Coffee Bean International is also headquartered, Public Domain emphasizes Farmer Brothers' selection of premium coffee. Known across the nation, it serves as a key platform to demonstrate the company’s superior products in the competitive coffee market.