History & Significant Events
1996 – Green Beans Coffee was created to provide expatriates with retail packaged coffee beans.
1997/1998 – Jason & Jon Araghi open the Kingdom’s first Gourmet Coffee House “Art Nouveau Cafe” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
1998 – They were also invited to open the first Green Beans Coffee Cafe on the US Army Base in Eskan Village, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “Honor First, Coffee Second” is born, and along with the Green Beans Coffee brand, becomes instrumental in maintaining the morale welfare of many in the armed forces around the world.
1999/2000 – Green Beans Coffee opens three new locations at Prince Sultan US Air Force Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Concurrently, Green Beans Coffee opens the only food service installation inside the CAOC, “Combined Aerial Operations Command”. The triple shot Cappuccino becomes the drink of choice for many long days and nights in the Saudi Desert.
2000 – Green Beans Coffee opens its first location in Germany, at the Hohenfills US Army Training Center. The “Cafe Mocha” becomes a daily must for Troops across the base.
2001/2002 – Green Beans Coffee opens its first location in Kuwait at Camp Doha, serving the US Army and Coalition Forces. The “Mocha Frappe” takes the base by storm.
2002 – Green Beans Coffee expands to Central Asia and is the first US Food Service Company to open in Karshi, Uzbekistan at K2, “Camp Stronghold Freedom”. The first 24/7 coffee society is born, providing a piece of home during the warmest days and coldest K2 nights. Our famous Spiced Chai is the drink of choice.
2003 – Green Beans Coffee opens its first location in Qatar inside the Media Center, at the US Army Central Command, Al-Saliyah. Reporters from around the world are introduced to the Green Beans Coffee brand as they monitor the developing story of Operation Iraqi Freedom. International coverage of the Green Beans Coffee story begins with the discovery of the “Double Americano” the perfect antidote for those long work days.
2003 – Green Beans Coffee is the first US Food Service Company to open in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan at Manas Air Force Base. The “Vanilla Chai” and the incredible hospitality of the Kyrgyz staff make their mark on USAF and coalition forces.
2003 – Green Beans Coffee is the first US Food Service Company to open in Kandahar, Afghanistan. A country wide expansion follows to a further eight locations at many regions across Afghanistan, creating a haven for 15 minutes of tranquility and a taste of home with freshly brewed gourmet coffee and a new introduction of fresh-baked on-site treats.
2004 – Green Beans Coffee is the first Food service provider to operate at a FOB, “Forward Operating Base”, in Salerno Afghanistan, and quickly becomes an integral part of the moral and welfare of US and coalition forces.
2004 – Green Beans Coffee opens its first location of a current 37+ throughout Iraq, bringing a piece of home and tranquility to thousands of US and coalition forces across the country. The 24 oz MOAC “Mother of all Coffees” and fresh-baked Muffins become the order of choice.
2005 – Green Beans Coffee teams up with multiple charities to give an annual percentage of all proceeds to charities that support those who have fallen or were severely injured in OIF and OEF.
2005 – Green Beans Coffee introduces the on-line coffee card to allow friends and family to purchase gifts of coffee for loved ones stationed around the world. Hundreds of cards are purchased online by Americans & corporate sponsors to show their support and appreciation of US and Coalition troops.
2006 – Green Beans Coffee expands into the Horn Of Africa with the opening of a cafe at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, Africa. The “Fruit & Protein Smoothies” becomes an integral part of the lives of many US Marines.
2006 – Green Beans Coffee expands into the United Arab Emirates to serve the US Air Force at Al-Dhafra AFB, in Abu Dhabi.
2007 – Green Beans Coffee makes the full circle voyage by opening the first of its domestic locations in Vacaville, CA near Travis AFB. Other locations quickly follow; Troops and Airmen returning home from deployment find Green Beans Coffee at home and continue to experience the same great coffee they enjoyed overseas.
2007 – Green Beans Coffee founders Jason and Jon Araghi received the Ernst & Young Northern California Entrepreneurs of the Year Award for Corporate Social Responsibility. Green Beans is ranked #144 in the INC 500’s list of America’s fastest growing companies; The San Francisco Business Times names Green Beans #7 in the region’s Top 100 fastest growing Bay Area companies.
2008 – In time for the holidays, Green Beans launches Cup of Joe For A Joe, an online initiative that lets ordinary citizens at home reach out to troops worldwide with a personal message of thanks and a gift of a cup of premium coffee.
2009 – Green Beans continues its domestic expansion with the announcement of its newest location at Langley AFB. The Company expands its Cup of Joe program to its domestic cafes and continues in its tradition of support to organizations like TAPS and Soldier’s Angels. Green Beans completes its first licensing agreement at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, “Serving Proudly” Green Beans Coffee.
2010 – Green Beans opens several domestic cafes in the US market including Fort Jackson, SC, Randolph AFB, TX, a new drive-thru in Ft. Hood, TX and a second airport location at Killeen Regional Airport, TX. Licensing becomes a new business focus, to include expansion into new airport locations at regional and major airports.
2011 – Green Beans launches Bag Of Joe For A Joe, an online initiative that lets people here at home send a whole bag of super-premium coffee to our Troops serving on the front-lines who can't access a Green Beans cafe”. Service to ISAF Troops in Afghanistan continues with the opening of 25 new cafe” locations including three that serve U.S. Marines at Camp Leatherneck. Domestically, two new airport locations open in Nashville and San Antonio.
2012 – Green Beans partners with Snowball Express to help them in their mission of creating hope and happy memories for the children and spouses of our fallen military heroes. In December, Green Beans heads to Texas to sponsor Snowball Express's annual event and serves up thousands of smoothies & coffee to military families. A new way for folks to make a donation to Snowball express is introduced on the Cup Of Joe For A Joe online order form. Green Beans is invited to Facebook’s headquarters to give a presentation to Mark Zuckerberg and his global team about how the Facebook platform has helped us in our mission to support our Troops through Cup Of Joe For A Joe. Green Beans Coffee expands its ability to serve our Troops in Djibouti, Africa by opening a new location at the MWR building.