Bellwether Launches New Shop Roaster for Cafes

Bellwether Coffee has unveiled a new Shop Roaster, a coffee roasting machine intended for in-house use by cafes. The company states the new model is more durable, simpler to install, and easier to operate. Bellwether also released data indicating that cafes can reduce their coffee expenses by up to 50 percent through in-house roasting.

An analysis of over 1,000 U.S. cafes revealed that wholesale prices for roasted specialty coffee are nearing $15 per pound, with some paying $18 or more. By roasting on-site, these costs could be halved. A survey of Bellwether customers who transitioned to in-house roasting reported average monthly savings of $2,000. Furthermore, 93 percent of these businesses now sell coffee under their own brand, and 72 percent have generated new revenue streams from roasting, particularly from retail bag sales.

"Coffee costs continue to rise, but there is a ceiling on what customers will pay," said Ricardo Lopez, founder and CEO of Bellwether Coffee. "Roasting in-house gives operators greater control over their costs while creating new opportunities to grow revenue, strengthen their brand, and give customers a reason to return."

The new Shop Roaster is designed with aesthetics in mind, featuring a metal enclosure available in white or bronze. It operates electrically and is smokeless, eliminating the need for gas lines or external venting. A new Bellwether app simplifies the roasting process, allowing users to manage roast profiles, track green coffee inventory, and reorder beans.

The new roaster will be publicly debuted at Coffee Fest Dallas on October 17–18, 2026. Orders are now being accepted, with initial customer deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.