WGU C200 TASK 2 |ACCURATE AND VERIFIED | 2026 UPDATE
Leadership at The Coffee Company
Tiffany Ratliff
College of Business, Western Governors University
Dr. Joe O’Brien
August 27, 2026
, A. Organization Description
The Coffee Company was started in 1971 in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
The Coffee Company started as a whole-bean wholesaler offering bulk coffee from around the
world. In 1987, an American businessman, inspired by the feel and artistry of Italian cafes in the
United States, opened the Coffee Company, turning it into a coffeehouse dedicated to that
experience. In the following decades, the Coffee Company became a global brand, with over
40,000 coffeehouses open to customers daily.
The Coffee Company claims that its mission is its guiding principle, ensuring it remains
at the center of every decision they make. The mission is to be the best retailer of the world’s
best coffee, to inspire and nurture humanity, one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a
time. The Coffee Company uses its mission and values of Coffee & Craft and People & Impact
to deliver value to shareholders, employees, and customers. The organization defines Coffee &
Craft as being committed to the highest standards of service and quality, embracing heritage and
innovation. The organization defines People & Impact as a commitment to making its employees
proud and to investing in their well-being and success, fostering a culture of belonging for every
employee.
I have had the privilege of working for the Coffee Company for 9 years, and I know
firsthand that, at many levels of the organization, our mission culture thrives. In my time with the
Coffee Company, I have worked in individual coffeehouses and have led a district. I have been
on hourly, salaried, and multi-unit leadership teams. I have benefited from teams and ensured
that the teams I am on uphold the organization’s mission and values. The Coffee Company often
says that they are not in the coffee business, serving people, but in the people business, serving
coffee. I believe this one sentence defines the organization’s culture.
Leadership at The Coffee Company
Tiffany Ratliff
College of Business, Western Governors University
Dr. Joe O’Brien
August 27, 2026
, A. Organization Description
The Coffee Company was started in 1971 in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
The Coffee Company started as a whole-bean wholesaler offering bulk coffee from around the
world. In 1987, an American businessman, inspired by the feel and artistry of Italian cafes in the
United States, opened the Coffee Company, turning it into a coffeehouse dedicated to that
experience. In the following decades, the Coffee Company became a global brand, with over
40,000 coffeehouses open to customers daily.
The Coffee Company claims that its mission is its guiding principle, ensuring it remains
at the center of every decision they make. The mission is to be the best retailer of the world’s
best coffee, to inspire and nurture humanity, one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a
time. The Coffee Company uses its mission and values of Coffee & Craft and People & Impact
to deliver value to shareholders, employees, and customers. The organization defines Coffee &
Craft as being committed to the highest standards of service and quality, embracing heritage and
innovation. The organization defines People & Impact as a commitment to making its employees
proud and to investing in their well-being and success, fostering a culture of belonging for every
employee.
I have had the privilege of working for the Coffee Company for 9 years, and I know
firsthand that, at many levels of the organization, our mission culture thrives. In my time with the
Coffee Company, I have worked in individual coffeehouses and have led a district. I have been
on hourly, salaried, and multi-unit leadership teams. I have benefited from teams and ensured
that the teams I am on uphold the organization’s mission and values. The Coffee Company often
says that they are not in the coffee business, serving people, but in the people business, serving
coffee. I believe this one sentence defines the organization’s culture.
