Alex Fisenko

Who are we?Contact Info

How to Start Your Coffee Business.
Book & DVD
"Espresso Business Success Program"

Coffee Shop Business Plan

References and Pictures of shops

Coffee Drive-Thrus

Training and Consulting Programs

Want to Improve your Espresso Sales?

Roasters: How to Increase your Sales

How to Add Espresso to an Existing Business

Food Management and Franchises: Increase Your Coffee Concept Sales!

Coffee Biz Q & A

How to Choose an Espresso Machine"

My Business Bio

Increase Sales!
One Day Barista Workshop
Learn How to Market and Prepare the Best Espresso Based Drinks!

In the '60s Alex Fisenko introduced Americans to espresso drinks; now look what's happened!" "Portland Oregonian" Oct. 14, 1993 - full page article.
Please click here to see this article
Click here to read Alex's Business Bio

Opened his first coffee shop in Berkeley, Ca. 1969. Because there was no precedent to this business, he learned by making every mistake in the book- so you won't have to make them!

Opened and operated fifteen coffee shops between 1970 and 1997 (two failures). This taught him the importance of choosing your locations.

Provided "expertise and inspiration" to some of the biggest players in this field

Consulted for clients in Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Belgium, South Korea and to over 300 US clients in most of the states.

Between 1992-1997 was a speaker and seminar presenter for the Coffee Fest Organization.

Developed the "Espresso Business Success Program" , which shows how to plan, start, design, and operate a successful coffee by the cup retail business. It focuses on how to sell mostly espresso based drinks. That's where the real money is! Combined with personal phone consultation that deals with your specific challenge or opportunity.

For the last seven years he has helped people all across the country to open and operate their own successful shops and drive-thrus, over two hundred as of July 2005!

What will I do for you?

Help you to determine if what you are planning to do makes any business sense in the first place.

If it makes sense, then help you to maximize the potential of that opportunity with the least pain and the most of gain! Translation: Prevent you from wasting money on things that do not matter, and show you what to do in order to maximize your sales and profits. Here are the details:

Training and Consulting Programs

Coffee Shop Business/Barista School

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Letters from my former Clients:
"Alex, we had a record day of $2,000! We did the sales from 9am to 630pm. We were rockin! Everything continues to pick up as time passes. Thanks again for your help. Our employees still talk about you. Our second location opens May 13 in Memphis. Thanks again."

Thomas B
Uptown Coffee
Given by request

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And as far as not to be able to compete against "Starbucks", here is a note from one of my clients:

"A quick note, Alex. Four years in, Global Village Organic Coffee is still going strong. We won "Best Espresso Drinks in the Triangle" (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill) from the independent food critics. And, news of news, the Starbucks store located across the street has decided to shut down this coming Friday. Superior product and superior training does win out in the end. Thanks for all you've done for my business."
Mike Ritchey
Global Village Organic Coffee
Raleigh, NC

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"I would just like to thank you for your help and information you gave us . We get nothing but compliments from our customers at how well our drinks taste . You really saved us a lot of time , money , and hardship . Although we have only been open for a couple of weeks we are getting a very good response" .

Again Thanks!
James & Andrea Thompson
Mocha Express
Greenwood, SC

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"Alex, we had a $1,300 day on Saturday. We never could have done it without you. And only six weeks after opening! Thanks so much!"

Sincerely,
April and Steve Fritzen
The Coffee Hound
Bloomington, Il

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Please go here to see case studies of mistakes: MISTAKES

Here are photos of some shops that I helped to open, followed by a long list of clients. Please click on any name

Black Diamond Coffee- Shrewsbury, MA
Mokas - Mobil, AL
Mokas - Owner Theresa with Alex Fisenko
South Main Coffee - NC
South Main Coffee - owner Georgia with Alex
Java Jo'z, Biloxi, MS
Mojo to GoGo - Huntsville, AL
Blue Mountain Coffee, NY
Via Cappuccino- Rocky Mount, NC
Sisters' Brew - Pittsburgh, PA
Java Joint Drive-Thru, Allentown, PA
Espresso Lanes Drive-Thru, Bloomington, IN
Espresso Lanes Drive-Thru, Bloomington, IN
Espresso Mi Cultura. Los Angeles, CA
Jeremiah Joe, Ottawa, Ill
Perfect Blend - Glenmont, NY
Kaldis Coffee House - Huntsville. TX
Perfect Blend - Vacaville, CA (unrelated to above)
Bogart's Coffee House- Seal Beach, CA
Coffee Hound - Bloomington, Il
Uptown Coffee -
Chit-n-Chat Coffee - Des Moines - IA
Seekers Coffee House - Cleveland, OH
Javas - Columbus, OH
Blue Bottle Coffee - Muncie, IN

For my business bio please click here
Business Plan
More Letters from some of my former clients:

Dear Alex:
There are no words to express our deep gratitude for your services. You made a tremendous difference in our lives! Here is a letter for anyone that needs your services:
"I will highly recommend Alex Fisenko to anyone seeking advice on the espresso business. I called him - knowing absolutely nothing about the business, beverage preparation, equipment, etc..... - and within four months we opened a coffee house in a small mid-western college town and was successful from the first day.
Alex has such a grasp of successful marketing strategies, as well as knowledge regarding the equipment and supplies needed to open a business. He was available anytime I needed advice and I sensed a real concern for his client's welfare."
Pastor and Dottie Branson
The Gathering Coffee House
Provided by request
PS: Hi, Alex! Just to say, "Hi." and give you my new E-mail address. I promised myself that when we had our 1st $1,000-day at The Gathering I would let you know. Well, we did it yesterday, AND today, too! I cannot thank you enough for all you did for me. I know you rejoice with us in the success of our coffeehouse. Thanks again, and God bless... Dottie

Alex,
We had a $1,300 day on Saturday. We never could have done it without you. And only six weeks after opening! Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
April and Steve Fritzen
The Coffee Hound
Bloomington, Il

Dear Alex:
Just to let you know that we did over $900 of business yesterday! In this small town of 18,000, and only two weeks after we opened! Thank you for all your help.
DeWayne & Pamela Cartwright
Jeremiah Joe Coffee House
Ottowa, Il

Dear Alex:
Hello from Gahanna, the Cyber Espresso Capital of Ohio! This is to update you on our progress six month after opening.
Thanks to your expertise in planning, design and training we have been running like a well oiled machine. The biggest thing I noticed was how fast we can move a line as compared to our not far-away competition! This morning we did $175 in about one hour with only two of us behind the counter, and no one waited longer than one minute! Some places I have been have four people working and I had to wait 5 minutes or more to get a simple "latte" and it did not taste as good as ours!

Here are some of the comments that I hear everyday from our customers:

"Your taste is so much better than Starbucks!"
"Your prices are very reasonable and your drinks taste much better than Brewster's Coffee down the street (which used to be "Aromas" until they went out of business after we opened)"
"Why does your Latte taste so much better than in the other espresso bars?"

Alex, remember that you trained myself and my people and we never made an espresso before! Now, I would say that my employees are some of the best baristas in town! Some of my customers tell me that Beth (remember her, she does not even drink coffee) makes them even better than me!
The menu that you set up for me is still the same. It is very easy for the customer to understand, and it is certainly "espresso friendly". I raised my prices by 15 cents, and nobody even noticed. We are able to maintain consistently our espresso sales at 80% or better of our total sales by following the techniques that you taught us.
Though our location, as you said, is not the best around, I am very pleased with our progress. I believe that we will hit $1000 a day when it gets colder and the rest of the center is leased out. I am also pleased that we were able to reach our break-even point during the summer months, without any foot traffic and the center leased only 25%.
Sorry I got so wordy. Call you later!
Erich Gellner, (owner)
Java's Cyber caffe
Columbus, Oh
www.javas.com

Espresso Kiosk in large medical facility in Yakima, WA
Dear Alex:
Your espresso expertise is truly appreciated. You have given us insight to the true meaning of superb coffee taste and service. We are grateful to have found you prior to our Atrium Cafe opening.
Your design of the bar and equipment lay-out was masterful, and we would have certainly missed some health code requirements without your assistance. The design is wonderful, we love having such a spacious work place with the equipment placed perfectly.
We also appreciate your suggestions on the equipment and where to get it. You were able to get us quality equipment at the best price.
The time you spent with us training our crew was truly important and enjoyable. We appreciate your subsequent calls checking to see how things are going, as well.
Again, thank you for your outstanding service.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Mackey
Yakima Urology Associates Accountant
Yakima, WA

"When I first met Alex, I had no idea about the espresso business. He guided me through all the stages of designing and opening the business. Then he stayed with me for the first few opening days, teaching me and my employees all about the espresso business, from how to build customers, to preparing the drinks and serving customers fast. Now I have two busy stores."
Pat Weinberg
Minneapolis, MN

"I have owned and operated a gourmet coffee store & espresso bar for three years. After taking the Espresso Business Seminar I realized just how ignorant I was about this business. This is the best money that I have ever invested!"
Jackie Webber
The Daily Grind.

"Espresso Business Success Program" Book & Video Order.
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Please go here to see case studies of mistakes: MISTAKES

Note: You may call any of the below listed references. Please get phone from Information.

JP Coffee
Lees Summit, MO
Linda Gobel
Coffee with Cream
Susan Lane
Greer, SC
Stingers Coffee Drive-Thru
Corpus Christi, TX
Hollie Weaver
Express Coffee Drive-Thru
Escanaba, MI
Tim Moore
Eagle River Roasters
Eagle River, WI
Dan Beihoff

Black Diamond Coffee
Shrewsbury, MA
Jackie Marcello
Ravenwood Coffee
Kalamazoo, MI
Andy Kurzmann
Courtyard Coffee
Schreveport, LA
Wayne Hunsicker
Mochas & Javas
San Marcos, TX
Kevin Carswell
Coffee Court
Carthage, NC
Cathy Wilcox

Lighthouse Coffee
Tarpon Springs, Fl
Jerry & Shannon Johnson
Espresso Art
Tucson, AZ
Danny Manheim
Edelweiss Coffee
Iron Mountain, MI
Jennifer Zeni
Daily Grind Coffee
Rochester Hills, MI
Mark Heber
Yellow Leaf Coffee
Prescott, AZ
Jim Michel or Scott Ulrich
Coffee Chaos
Midland, MI
Kim or Denise Kranz

Sisters' Brew
Pittsburgh, PA
Georganne Shuster & Betty Hoover
Java To Go
Suttons Bay, MI
Fran Zeitz
Java J's
Bristol, TN
Julie Marion
The Coffee Depot
Virginia Beach, VA
Beth Tignor
Over Coffee
Terrace Park, OH
Renee Tetrault
Main Street Coffee
Ardmore, OK
Pam Plesher
Espresso Lanes
Bloomington, IN
Mary Beth Gallagher
Java Joint
Allentown, PA
Betty Hockman
Perfect Blend (Coffee House & Drive-Thru)
Vacaville, CA
Stephanie Ladd or Beth
Mochas & Javas
San Marcos, TX
Kevin Carswell

Rockingham Coffee House
Boonton, NJ
August Nazareth

Perfect Blend (not same owner as above)
Albany, NY
Roberta Barstow
Kaldis Coffee House
Houston University, TX
Rick Francis
Coffee Driven (drive-thru)
Greenville, SC
Steve Barinowski
Bogart's Coffee
Seal Beach, CA
JoAnn or Bud Adams
Manna Java Coffee
Dubuque, Iowa
Michelle Mihalakis
Northern Light Coffee
Scranton, PA
Rich or Luke Damiani
Rafikis Coffee
San Jose, CA
Liesl Violante
Coffee Hound
April & Steve Fritzen
Bloomington, Il
Uptown Coffee
Thomas. B
MS
J Bean Coffee
Chicago, Il
Jeff Bilitech
Jeremiah Joe Coffee House
DeWayne & Pamela Cartwright
Ottawa, IL
Via Cappuccino
John & Gayle Fatheree
Rocky Mount, NC
Chit-n-Chat Coffee House
Des Moines, IO
Kate Boetcher or Donna
Crissy's Coffee
Davison. MI
Crystal Prince
College Coffee House
Fairbanks, Alaska
John Taylor
Gecko Espresso
Phoenix, Az
Sheila Shuster, owner
Seekers Coffee House (click)
Cleveland, OH
Paul Zorich, owner
Blue Bottle Coffee (click)
Muncie, IN
Tom and Kristine Steiner, owners

Global Village Coffee
Raleigh-Durham, NC
Mike Ritchie, owner
Higher Ground Coffee House
Chico, CA
Kurt and Joy Knackle
Circle Moon Coffee
Loveland, CO
John & Nicole Patterson
Coffee!Coffee!Coffee!
Duluth, GA
Kevin or Karen Loeffler
Java Depot Drive-Thru
Fort Wayne, IN
Lisa or Dave Zerilli
Fireworks Coffee House
Moline, ILL
Java Mott
Rocky Mount, NC
Jerry Mott
Espresso Yourself (not the same as above)
New Orleans, LA
Mark or Donna Bonfatti
Java Lounge
Gainsville, Fl
David Martin, owner (sold to new owner)
Gary Jacobs Boyd Coffee Co.
Portland, Or.
(Company Consulting)

"Espresso Mi Cultura"
Ramon Pantoja, LA, Ca.
Pat Weinberg, Pres.
Purple Onion, Minneapolis, MN
Mr. Fahed Dawaish
Cone Zone- Saudi Arabia
West India Coffee Co.
Barbados
Kim or Eddy Abed 246-426-4873

If you want to know more, why don't you request my FREE 30 page "How to Make Real Money with Espresso" e-mail report? It will give you some more details and expand on this material.
Here are some of the contents of this report:
1. Where to Start? How much Capital do you need?
2. What Makes a Coffee Concept Successful?
3. What Earnings should you expect?
4. Location: The Key to your Success
5. Effective Marketing of Espresso
6. The Importance of Proper Drink Preparation
Please click here to request this FREE report.
I send it by e-mail ONLY.
We will never give out or share your e-mail address!
For more information, please visit my Business Bio
I will be happy to talk to you, but BEFORE you call please do your home work. My web site has MOST of the information that you may be seeking but you have to read it. If "you don't have the time", how will you find the time to correct all the mistakes that you will make?
Alex Fisenko & Assoc.
Phone: 503-590-9423, Pacific time 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
E-mail: alex@espressobusiness.com

©2006 Alex Fisenko & Associates – All Rights Reserved

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