https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2021/08/13/martin-macarthur-bad-ass-coffee.html?ana=emailafriend&s=print
Martin & MacArthur at The Shops at Wailea is one of the locations carrying Bad Ass Coffee.
Two companies with longstanding Hawaii ties in disparate retail industries recently announced a collaboration.
Koa wood handcrafter Martin & MacArthur and coffee franchise Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii have partnered to bring the latter's blended drinks into the furniture shops of the former on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island.
Bad Ass Coffee's 12-ounce bags, variety packs, candies, and other merchandise will eventually be available at Martin & MacArthur's 13 shops. So far, they can be found in The Kings Shops Waikoloa, The Shops at Kukuiula on Kauai, The Shops at Wailea on Maui, the Sheraton Waikiki, and at Ala Moana Center.
Bad Ass Coffee sees it as an opportunity to gain some visibility back where it began; it originated on Hawaii Island in 1989, but is now better known on the Mainland. It lists 18 of its 20 franchise locations in the continental U.S. and the Virgin Islands, with the other two in Lahaina.
“We are thrilled to partner with such an iconic and authentic Hawaiian brand like Martin & MacArthur who share our commitment to crafting premium Hawaiian products," said Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, in a statement. “This exclusive retail relationship provides an elevated consumer opportunity for both brands and plays an important strategic role in re-establishing the Bad Ass Coffee brand in Hawaii.”
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, which was bought by Royal Aloha Franchise Company, LLC, in 2019, intends to expand its availability through grocery, hospitality, and specialty retail channels. Last year it launched updates for its donkey logo, packaging, store design and products.
Martin & MacArthur, which has a team of its own craftsmen to go with works from over 100 Hawaii artists, experienced company-wide store shutdowns and furloughs at the start of the coronavirus pandemic but steadily reopened through November 2020.
“Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is known for its exceptional quality and rich traditions, making it the ideal choice as the only Hawaiian coffee we feature at Martin & MacArthur,” said Michael Tam, president and CEO of Martin & MacArthur, in a statement.
