OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 15, 2024 – Scooter’s Coffee, one of the fastest growing specialty coffee drive-thru franchise systems in the nation, along with Harvest Roasting, its vertically-integrated supply chain affiliate, plans to support its expanding franchise network through a new distribution center to be located in the Indianapolis, Indiana area.
The new distribution center will be located near Whitestown, Indiana, along Interstate 65 in the northwest portion of the Indianapolis metro area. The 183,000 square foot facility will be Harvest Roasting’s largest distribution center, able to directly support more than 300 Scooter’s Coffee locations and franchisees across multiple states.
“As the Scooter’s Coffee footprint continues to grow nationwide, it is critical to the success of our franchisees that we expand our distribution network to ensure we provide best-in-class support to each of our locations,” Brian Stoufer, vice president of distribution said. “Adding the Indianapolis distribution center ensures we can support future Scooter’s Coffee locations in new and growing markets.”
This location will improve and maintain service with shorter lead time and inventory redundancy. Shorter delivery distances will help to minimize the impact of external variables, like weather, on deliveries.
About 50 positions are expected to be hired upon opening, including staff for the warehouse, drivers for Harvest Roasting trucks and managerial positions. Staffing needs are expected to increase as the distribution center supports a growing number of Scooter’s Coffee locations.
“Indiana is the ideal destination for companies like Scooter’s Coffee to expand and meet the needs of customers nationwide thanks to our state’s competitive business climate and central location,” said Ann Lathrop, chief strategy officer at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “We are excited to welcome Scooter’s Coffee and its supply chain affiliate, Harvest Roasting, to our leading logistics ecosystem in central Indiana and are confident this new location and Indiana’s skilled talent network will enable the company’s continued growth and success for years to come.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed an investment in Harvest Roasting of up to $1.2 million in the form of incentive-based tax credits based on the company’s plans to create up to 114 new jobs by the end of 2027. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired.
“We’re thrilled to have Harvest Roasting (Scooter’s Coffee) located in Whitestown,” said Whitestown Town Council President Dan Patterson. “Their commitment to creating 50 new jobs aligns with our goal of fostering economic growth and opportunity for our residents. We are pleased that Whitestown is being acknowledged as an important and strategic hub for distribution across the Midwest. We're confident Harvest Roasting be a valuable addition to our community.”
Full-time employees will receive a wide array of benefits including health insurance, competitive pay, paid vacation and holidays, a 401(k) savings plan, financial planning, an employee assistance program, a monthly $75 Scooter’s Coffee store credit and more.
The Indianapolis distribution center will be the sixth such facility in the company’s national supply chain network. Harvest Roasting currently operates two distribution centers in Omaha, Nebraska, where the company was founded, and additional distribution centers in Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; and Atlanta, Georgia.