The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Welcomes Tara Hinkle as New President and Head of Americas

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Welcomes Tara Hinkle

In an exciting new chapter for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, Tara Hinkle has been appointed as the new President and Head of Americas, effective January 2025. This strategic leadership change is seen as a significant move to bolster the coffee and tea house's expansion plans across North and South America.

With almost two decades of experience under her belt, Tara Hinkle brings a wealth of knowledge in franchising and strategic operations to her new role. Prior to joining The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, she held a crucial position at Taco Bell as the Senior Director of Franchise Finance and Strategy. There, she played an instrumental role in developing franchise finance and recruitment strategies that fueled the brand's growth. Additionally, her tenure at Starbucks as the Director of Strategic Partnerships positioned her at the forefront of key collaborations that enhanced the brand's market presence.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s CEO, Jose Pepot Miñana Jr., expressed his enthusiasm about Hinkle's appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Tara Hinkle as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's new President and Head of Americas. With her leadership in franchise growth and strategy, Tara is set to drive our expansion across the Americas. Her expertise and passion for customer experience make her the ideal leader to strengthen our brand and community."

In her new position, Hinkle is tasked with driving the overall growth strategy in the Americas, working closely with the franchise development team to facilitate expansion efforts. Her extensive experience in franchise finance and operations will be key to ensuring that the brand's strategic vision aligns with efficient and sustainable growth. By focusing on strengthening market positioning and optimizing business operations, Hinkle is poised to elevate The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as a leading café brand within the Americas.

Expressing her excitement about her new role, Hinkle stated, "I am honored to step into the role of President and Head of Americas at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and lead this incredible team. My goal is to drive franchise growth and expand our market reach by empowering our talented brew crew to exceed guest expectations. I look forward to this journey as we continue sharing our passion for exceptional coffee and tea with the world."

Currently serving over 1,200 locations globally, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf takes great pride in its longstanding commitment to high-quality products. The company sources only the top one percent of Arabica beans and custom roasts them in small batches at its facility in Camarillo, California. Each coffee bag undergoes rigorous testing to meet the company's high standards.

For potential franchisees, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf seeks candidates who exhibit substantial liquidity and capital access for swift expansion. Ideally, candidates should have prior restaurant ownership experience and be able to commit to developing a minimum of 10 stores in a designated market, though single-store agreements are available at some non-traditional venues. With increasing global interest in franchising with the brand, several new locations are already in various stages of development across the United States, South America, the Middle East, and Asia.

To explore franchise opportunities or learn more about The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, individuals can visit www.coffeebean.com for more information. Founded in Southern California in 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf remains committed to inspiring unique experiences through its global flavors, showcasing a deep dedication to quality in every handcrafted beverage. As the creator of The Original Ice Blended®, the brand continues to innovate and offers a tantalizing array of flavors for coffee lovers everywhere.