New York's Prime Restaurateur Danny Meyer Has Entered The Coffee Business

Danny Meyer is entering the coffee business. New York City's most ubiquitous restaurateur, along with his Union Square Hospitality Group, is investing in the third-wave coffee brand Joe Coffee. Third-wave coffee seeks to treat coffee as an artisan product and has brought the "farm to bean" movement to life.

"Historically we've had the privilege of investing in some incredibly special companies whose cultures, leaders, and innovative business models caught our eyes, and Joe is no different," Meyer said. "We chose to make this investment with Joe Coffee because they are dedicated to the pursuit of making flawless coffee, are led by passionate and exceptional management, and share the same hospitality values as USHG."

Joe Coffee is a fair-trade, sustainable brand based in Red Hook, Brooklyn, that is used by many upscale restaurants in New York, such as Cosme. Union Square Hospitality's investment will allow the brand to expand, possibly internationally, as a caffeinated force to watch.