Justin Seamonds Appointed FairWave CEO as Acquisition-Led Rollup Deepens

FairWave announced in late February 2026 that Justin Seamonds has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, a move the company framed as a people-first leadership hire as it enters the next phase of an acquisition-led rollup. The appointment was reported from Kansas City, MO and appears in company messaging that described FairWave as a fast-growing Collective of distinct specialty coffee brands working together to bring exceptional coffee to their communities.

Seamonds joins FairWave with a hospitality resume that includes time as CEO of Roti Restaurants and, according to the announcement, more than 25 years of leadership experience across hospitality and multi-unit food and beverage businesses. Comunicaffe reported his title as a dual role - "Prime Minister of Fun & CEO" - signaling an explicit cultural and people-first remit alongside traditional executive duties.

The new CEO laid out a concrete first priority: listening to local operators. Seamonds will travel to each market to learn from the Collective's local brands and their communities. He said, "Each brand in this Collective has built something extraordinary," and added, "My job is to protect each brand's unique identity while strengthening our work together as a Collective."

FairWave's leadership presented Seamonds as the person to manage culture while growth accelerates. Isaac Hodges, President, Growth at FairWave, said, "We're excited to welcome Justin to FairWave. His commitment to building exceptional cultures fits strongly with how we believe great brands - and great teams - grow." That phrasing reinforces the announcement's emphasis on culture and community rather than immediate operational or financial specifics.

Company materials use two names in coverage: FairWave Coffee Collective and FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective. Sources characterize the business as a fast-growing Collective of distinct specialty coffee brands, but they do not provide counts of brands, recent deal details, or financial terms. The public announcement focuses on people and integration strategy as the Collective scales through acquisitions.

The hire comes as FairWave positions itself for rapid, acquisition-driven expansion while pledging to safeguard local brand identities. Seamonds' market visits and dual-role mandate make culture and cross-brand collaboration the measurable priorities to watch as the rollup deepens in the months ahead.