Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii bolsters marketing team ahead of planned franchise growth

The US coffee chain has appointed former Caribou Coffee Brands Communications Specialist Eleanor Schwartz as Director of Brand Engagement and hired ex-Tropical Smoothie Cafe Brand Marketing Manager Ivy Hanks to lead franchise engagement initiatives 

Bad Ass Coffee plans to open an additional 20 stores by the end of 2024 | Photo credit: Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

Colorado-based coffee chain Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii has made two senior marketing appointments to boost franchise engagement. 
 

Eleanor Schwartz has been appointed Director of Brand Engagement, joining Bad Ass Coffee from Minnesota-based coffee chain Caribou Coffee where she had led brand communications since 2022.  

She also served as Social Media Manager for Honolulu-based digital marketing agency Wahine Media and previously worked on a Kona coffee farm in Hawaii – experience Bad Ass Coffee said will ‘enrich the brand’s connection to the history of Hawaiian coffee’. 

The 31-store coffee chain has also appointed Ivy Hanks as Director of Franchise Marketing. Hanks, who will focus on championing franchise marketing initiatives for both new and existing stores, previously held several marketing and product development roles at QSR franchise Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 

The appointments come as Bad Ass Coffee embarks upon a period of planned outlet growth. The coffee chain currently operates across 14 US states and has more than 100 outlets in various stages of development. It expects to open an additional 20 stores and sign agreements for an additional 36 sites by the end of 2024. 

“Both Ivy and Eleanor bring proven track records of boosting engagement across other franchise brands to Bad Ass Coffee, and we are excited to see the positive impact that their creativity and strategic thinking will have on the success of our franchisees,” said Scott Snyder, CEO, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. 

Founded in Hawaii in 1989, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii also retails packaged coffee, tea and branded merchandise via its online website and is expected to launch grocery, hospitality, and specialty retail channels by the end of the year.