Inclusivity-focused 321 Coffee triples output with new Raleigh roasting facility

A Raleigh roastery built to expand job access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities more than tripled its output after moving roasting into a new 5,000-square-foot facility. The expansion gives 321 Coffee room to meet rising wholesale demand while keeping its mission-driven staffing model at the center of operations.

321 Coffee installed a Loring S35 alongside the existing Loring S15, a combination that vaulted production capacity to more than three times the previous level. The larger production footprint allowed the company to shift toward a slightly more traditional workflow - with clearer staging for green coffee intake, roasting, quality control cupping, and packaging - while preserving adaptive job roles and hands-on training for staff.

Founders Michael Evans and Lindsay Wrege guided the move in response to wholesale growth. The company roasted over 100,000 pounds in 2025, and the new facility was intended to absorb that volume and provide room for further growth. To reduce physical strain and improve accessibility on the floor, 321 Coffee installed a green-coffee handling system that minimizes heavy lifting and streamlines batch preparation for both the S15 and the S35.

Operational changes included targeted training on the new roaster and handling equipment, updated safety protocols, and retention-focused scheduling designed to stabilize job continuity for employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Staff members transitioned from a cramped, multipurpose space into a layout that separates roasting and packaging workflows, which managers say improves quality consistency and creates predictable station responsibilities for employees.

Sourcing partnerships remain central to the roastery’s profile. 321 Coffee continues to buy green beans from De La Finca, Ally Coffee, and Cafe Imports, maintaining the traceability and cup profiles customers expect while increasing throughput. Wholesale accounts - local cafes, regional distributors, and institutional buyers - can expect more reliable weekly allocations as production ramps.

The move positions 321 Coffee to expand its retail footprint as well. The company plans a sixth 321 Coffee location slated to open by the end of 2026, which will draw directly on the Raleigh roastery for fresh roast schedules and new seasonal offerings. For community partners and wholesale customers, the immediate practical value is steadier supply and predictable roast days; for employees, the expansion promises more jobs and workplace accommodations that reduce barriers to entry and long-term retention.

As 321 Coffee settles into the new space, the balance between scale and mission will be the story to watch. Increased output now means more cups available across the region, and the company’s next move - staffing the sixth location and optimizing the S35-S15 workflow - will show whether mission-aligned scale can keep pace with wholesale expectations.