The interior of Bluestone Lane’s Rice Village store in Houston, Texas | Photo credit: Bluestone Lane

Seattle-based coffee alternative Atomo has signed a new partnership with US boutique café group Bluestone Lane – its first major coffee shop deal.  
 

From August 2024, New York-based Bluestone Lane will begin serving Atomo’s ‘beanless espresso’ across its 58 US locations. 

“This presents an opportunity for our customers to enjoy an innovative coffee option that maintains our high standards for quality and taste while aligning with our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Nick Stone, CEO, Bluestone Lane.     

Read related content: Q&A: Bluestone Lane CEO, Nick Stone 

In a press release, Atomo said Australian-inspired Bluestone Lane was a ‘natural fit’ for its first national roll-out due to its focus on high-quality coffee and sustainability.  

“Bluestone distinguishes itself in the coffee industry through its selection of healthy, gourmet food and expertly crafted drinks. Our beanless espresso is the perfect addition to its premium offerings,” said Andy Kleitsch, CEO, Atomo Coffee. 

Atomo’s product is formulated from upcycled, farm-grown superfoods, such as date seeds, grapes, sunflower, chicory and tea-sourced caffeine, before being roasted and brewed. Previously available as ready-to-drink (RTD) cans at US retail locations, Atomo launched its first beanless espresso at the 2023 New York Coffee Festival in October 2023. 

The following month, the start-up received a ‘multimillion-dollar investment’ from Japanese beverage giant Suntory Holdings, which it said would strengthen international distribution capabilities. 

Atomo is not the only start-up to have received funding within the last 12 months to develop and launch ‘beanless’ coffee products. In July 2023 US-based Minus received new investment from Amplifica Capital to develop packaged ground coffee alternatives and pursue new distribution partnerships with US retail and foodservice outlets.

In February 2024, Singaporean beanless coffee start-up Prefer secured $2m in seed funding to build a new manufacturing facility and expand its product distribution across southeast Asia.