Bo’s Coffee, one of the most successful local-brand coffee shops with 33 company owned and 25 franchised stores, was founded by Steve Benitez, who remains the owner to this day. Born and raised in Cebu City, Benitez started his coffee fix to sustain him during the rigorous regimen at law school at the Ateneo de Manila University. To learn more about the beverage, though, he had to attend various international seminars and trainings. On June 1996, the first Bo’s Coffee opened in Ayala Center, Cebu City.
To ensure the brew’s freshness, newly-roasted beans are shipped to outlets in three days and consumed within two to three weeks. Non-consumed items are immediately disposed of. The date when the coffee was roasted is displayed in every Bo’s Coffee packaging for the consumer’s guidance.
Ninety percent of the coffee beans used are locally sourced from coffee plantations in Benguet, Bukidnon, Cordillera, Sultan Kudarat and the Mountain Provinces to name a few.
Inspired by the Jollibee franchise success story of how a local David beat a foreign Goliath at their own game, Steve took faith in the power of hard work, doing one’s homework to able to compete with and outshine his rivals. His ultimate vision is to be the premiere home-grown specialty coffee shop in the country that offers world class standard coffee and tea, coupled with excellent customer service in a cozy and friendly ambiance.