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Thriving Coffee & Hospitality Business
Requires Powerful Business Intelligence
and Strong Networks

Gain a competitive edge with the Global Coffee Institute

About Global Coffee Institute

The Global Coffee Institute (GCI) is a membership organisation dedicated to supporting and empowering the global coffee and hospitality sector through thought leadership, critical business intelligence and strategic guidance.

Powered by Allegra World Coffee Portal, GCI provides senior industry professionals and their teams with exclusive access to market intelligence, strategic insight and influential industry networks.

What is Global Coffee Institute

The GCI combines over 25 years of coffee and hospitality industry expertise with a global network of leaders, operators, suppliers and innovators.

Whether you're seeking market intelligence, strategic guidance, industry connections or competitor insight, GCI provides the knowledge and relationships needed to make better business decisions and stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.

We're here to support your next strategic move.

Member Benefits

Business Intelligence Sessions
Access live and on-demand report debriefs, leadership presentations, executive roundtables and exclusive industry conversations. Participate in coffee shop study tours and attend in-person insight events designed to help businesses understand the trends shaping coffee and hospitality markets globally.
World Coffee Portal Data & Insight
Benefit from over 25 years of World Coffee Portal research expertise with GCI exclusive Trend Reports, access to the global Brand Tracker across 15 major global markets, headline data from the Project Café report suite, and priority access to the Allegra research team.
Corporate News & Insight Access
Stay informed with curated news, independent editorial analysis, CEO interviews, Weekly Coffee Dose newsletters and Coffee 24/7 breaking news alerts. Share access across your business with a corporate news subscription.
5THWAVE Magazine
Receive the leading B2B coffee and hospitality publication 6 times a year, each featuring in-depth market commentary, executive interviews, strategic analysis and insights from the industry's leading voices.

Testimonials

Hear how Global Coffee Institute members are using Allegra market intelligence, strategic guidance and industry networks to drive business growth.

Joining the GCI Coffee Shop Study Tours has been incredibly insightful. The visits to pioneering coffee destinations in Amsterdam and London provided new perspectives on innovation, from evolving beverage trends to reimagining store spaces, helping us stay relevant in a fast-moving market. Each tour has been truly inspiring and has sparked ideas that have directly influenced our thinking at Costa.
Since joining the Global Coffee Institute last year, our team at Blendsmiths has been making the most of its online masterclasses and webinars. The insights gained have been instrumental in guiding one of our biggest launches to date - FLOW, a line of premium alternative drinks designed for automated machines. read more

As an alternative drinks supplier within the speciality coffee space, automated systems marked a new and exciting direction for us. The GCI's recurring insights into the evolving demand for high-quality, flavour-led products in the automated drinks market gave us the confidence to invest and innovate. The result is a range that delivers barista-quality beverages - from hot chocolate to matcha - at the press of a button.

The response to FLOW has been fantastic, particularly FLOW Matcha which has gained significant traction amidst the global rise in matcha popularity. When Issue 26 of 5THWAVE explored the growing presence of matcha in speciality coffee and highlighted the role of automation in The Future of Coffee Report UK 2025, it perfectly aligned with our vision for FLOW and helped us demonstrate the importance of this launch.

We’re now looking forward to continuing the conversation at the upcoming European Coffee Symposium and Coffee & Hospitality Expo, where our co-founder Chris Farnworth will join a panel discussion on Matcha and Iced Beverage Trends hosted by 5THWAVE.

Being part of the Global Coffee Institute has been invaluable in keeping us informed, connected, and inspired to push the boundaries of alternative drinks within the world of coffee. read less
Being affiliated with the Global Coffee Institute has significantly enhanced our business operations. The extensive insights and strategic guidance we receive, particularly in understanding evolving consumer behaviours and market trends, have been instrumental in shaping our strategies. The broad market visibility provided by World Coffee Portal’s detailed reports—covering both core and emerging regions—remains a fundamental aspect of our growth strategy. This partnership enables us to make well-informed decisions swiftly and effectively
Over the past four years, 5 to go has sustained an impressive growth trajectory - opening a new store every two working days, adding over 100 locations annually. Being part of the Global Coffee Institute has been a meaningful part of this journey. The opportunity to share our progress and ambitions with such a knowledgeable and engaged network has not only amplified our visibility but also deepened our understanding of the global coffee landscape. read more

With our sights set on reaching 1,000 coffee shops by 2029, we’re strategically expanding into smaller cities across Romania, while also exploring international opportunities, particularly in Bulgaria, where we aim to reach 150 stores within the next four years. Global Coffee Institute membership has become a valuable platform for connection, insight, and inspiration - helping us grow smarter, faster, and with purpose.

We’re proud to celebrate being a part of the GCI community and look forward to what’s next. read less

Who is it for?

The Global Coffee Institute is designed for established brands, emerging disruptors, business leaders, innovators and industry bodies shaping the future of the global coffee industry. It brings together the people and businesses who want to influence where the market is heading.

Our business intelligence is trusted by:

✓ Industry Decision Makers
✓ Innovators & Solution Providers
✓ Coffee Chains & Operators<
✓ Suppliers Across the Value Chain
✓ Sustainability & ESG Leaders
✓ Emerging Brands & Investors

Our Mission

Our mission at the Global Coffee Institute is to educate, inform, and develop senior coffee industry professionals and their teams. By fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration, we aim to build a stronger, more connected global coffee sector. GCI is a hub for innovation and leadership, empowering the people who drive this incredible industry forward.

Jeffrey Young, Executive Director, Global Coffee Institute


World Coffee Portal Network

Join the network trusted by leading coffee and hospitality businesses across the globe.

From operators and suppliers to manufacturers, investors and innovators, the Global Coffee Institute connects the changemakers shaping the future of the industry.

For more information about the Global Coffee Institute, including pricing details and report access, please contact:

Bradley Journeaux, Head of Research & Client Relations
bjourneaux@allegra.co.uk