25 Years in the Making
Founded in 1998 by Kent Parrill as a traditional coffee shop in Granville, Ohio, the business model has evolved from three coffee shops, a coffee truck, and two kiosk coffee shops into a licensed partnership concept.
The Little Coffee Company is inviting veterans, people of disability, and individuals with high functioning autism (HFA), as well as other entrepreneurs to get in on the ground floor of this exciting new opportunity in the $47 billion U.S. coffee market as we ramp up for a rapid nationwide expansion.
“There has never been a more exciting time to open a specialty coffee shop,” says Kent Parrill, CEO and founder of The Little Coffee Company. “I’ve spent the last 25 years proving that our business model could be successful over the long-term before launching our license partnership effort. With adults drinking more coffee in the U.S. than ever before, the opportunity for success is even greater. However, what really sets The Little Coffee Company apart is we specifically focus on putting veterans, people of disability, and individuals with high functioning autism (HFA) into their own business.”
Why Choose Us?

Full Experience
We have already done the heavy lifting. Our concept can provide a complete experience to accommodate most customers. Our marketing and brand awareness will drive guests in, and our on-trend specialty coffee menu will keep them coming back.

Customer Journey
Our shops are quick and efficient. We have been refining and innovating the customer journey for 25 years. We meet our guests where they’re at or where they’re going. We provide convenience, safety, a desirable high digital experience, excellent service, and outstanding coffee.

Extensive Support
Our company has been roasting and brewing the industry’s best coffee since 1997. Our operations team supports you every step—from The Little Coffee Company University training to ongoing coffee education and the best coffee shop practices.

A Great Investment
A licensed partnership is much more innovative and less expensive than a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The Little Coffee Company is a brand that will multiply across the nation in years to come.
Coffee Facts
Coffee is a huge business. Sixty-four (64) percent of adult Americans drink coffee every day, with each one consuming an average of more than three cups. Americans go through 400 million cups of coffee every day, equating to 146 billion cups per year.
The country’s 37,000 coffee shops each sell an average of 230 cups per day to people on the go looking for a caffeine boost or those who want somewhere to sit and relax with a drink. Specialty coffee shops have a seven (7) percent growth rate in the years before the pandemic, making them one of the fastest-growing segments in the restaurant industry and a good bet for those looking for a steady business.
With many people heading out to get their coffee, the U.S. coffee shop market was worth $47.1 billion in 2021. The number of coffeehouses also grew, from 35,600 to 37,300. The market size of the Coffee & Snack Shops industry in the U.S. increased faster than the accommodation and food services sector. The 2022 market size of the Coffee & Snack Shops industry is expected to grow at six (6) percent. License partnerships can benefit from this expansion.
About Licensed Partners
The Little Coffee Company is designed to be the best in class! Our coffee shop concept has operated for 25 years. We deliver an innovative guest experience and drive revenue with our premium coffee offerings and trendy settings. Our licensed partners will be supported by one of the most sophisticated operators in the business, Kent Parrill. Kent has operated coffee shops in small communities, campuses, and across interstate travel hubs.
Not Just Another Coffee Shop
The Little Coffee Company is a lot more than just a specialty coffee house. We are ushering in a new era for specialty coffee by bringing hand-roasted brews into the mainstream. We are led by an executive team with proven experience in growing businesses. The Little Coffee Company is an opportunity for first-time and experienced entrepreneurs, as well as savvy investors, to get in on the ground floor of the most exciting investment opportunity in the $47 billion U.S. coffee shop industry.
Specialty coffee is hot and will stay hot for decades to come. USA Today reports that 83% of American adults are regular coffee drinkers. Zagat says that over 80% of people who drink coffee admit to drinking it daily. The enthusiasm for specifically specialty coffee is rising. However, consider the amount we are willing to pay for a good cup. Zagat reports that the average cost of a cup of coffee is nearly $3.30, which is a number that has consistently risen over the years. This rise in consumers’ price for coffee suggests coffee’s importance in our lives. The Little Coffee Company takes the craft of coffee roasting seriously. Our hand-roasted beans come from the best family-owned farms in Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, and Kenya.
The Little Coffee Company has taken the art of coffee roasting and placed it in a drive-thru, and walkup coffee shop setting that is far removed from the stuffiness of traditional specialty coffee culture.
Ready to bring a Specialty Coffee Shop to your community? The time is now!
The Little Coffee Company is a low-cost investment opportunity with the potential for high returns. The startup build costs to begin operations on a new licensed coffee shop range from $80,000 to $190,000. Because our buildout costs are lower than other brands in the coffee industry, The Little Coffee Company offers a faster ramp-up time, allowing a quicker return on investment. In addition, the initial partnership fee for your Mini Coffee Shop is only $20,000, with an annual renewal fee of $2,500.
The popularity of specialty coffee and how The Little Coffee Company is getting it right!
While Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts greatly expanded the role and scope of traditional coffee shops by introducing specialty beverages and unique coffee blends to the mainstream public, U.S. coffee drinkers have begun turning away from the mega-brands and are eager to try local brands creating exceptional coffee.
The Little Coffee Company creates a different kind of experience
The specialty coffee culture is definitely about great coffee. Still, it is also about the customer and what we are doing for the community. The Little Coffee Company wants to address a sad trend head-on—unemployment of veterans, people of disability, and exceptional individuals with high functioning autism. Our primary goal is to help these people get into their own coffee businesses.
How Big is the Demand for Coffee Shops?
Coffee shops are big business. With USA Today reporting that 83% of Americans over the age of 18 identify as coffee drinkers, it’s easy to see why the U.S. coffee shop industry is poised to generate $48.2 billion of revenue in 2022.

Disabilities, Veterans, & High Functioning Autism
Veterans
The unemployment rate for veterans was 6.6 percent in 2020. Among the 581,000 unemployed veterans in 2020, 54% were aged 25 to 54, 41% were aged 55 and over, and 5% were 18 to 24. In addition, the unemployment rate of veterans with a service-connected disability was 6.2 % in 2020.
People With Disabilities
In 2020, only 17.9 % of persons with a disability were employed. People with disabilities are also far less likely to be employed than workers with no disabilities. Several factors drive this disparity, including discriminatory hiring practices and fewer people with disabilities completing bachelor’s degrees. In addition, the pandemic has only exacerbated this gap.
People With High Functioning Autism
High-functioning autism or HFA isn’t an official medical term or diagnosis. Instead, it’s an informal one some people use when they talk about people with an autism spectrum disorder who can speak, read, write, handle basic life skills, live independently, take employment, and in some cases, run a business.
Contact Us
Kent Parrill, CEO
Phone – (614) 597-6887
Email – kentparrill@icloud.com
Steve Doherty, CFO
Phone – (614) 949-9909
Email – kc135a1973@gmail.com
The Little Coffee Company is led by a management team with decades of proven experience growing successful businesses.
Kent W. Parrill, Founder and CEO
Kent Parrill began his career in the aquatic controls and management industry after graduating from The Ohio State University. He was responsible for treating waterways, tributaries, lakes, and streams. Fifteen years later, Kent started his own aquatics business that he still owns.
In 1997, Kent started his first coffee shop and roasting operation in Granville, Ohio. Over the next 25 years, Kent expanded the number of coffee shops to five and began a standalone roasting operation. In 2021, Kent moved his roasting operation to Alpharetta, Georgia, and started the Mini Coffee Shop Company.
Kent graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in international communications, public relations, and biology. Kent was also a member of the Ohio State varsity wrestling team.
Steve D. Doherty, CFO
After earning a bachelor’s degree, Steve entered the United States Air Force. He embarked on a 20-year career flying the Convair T-29C, Boeing KC-135A, and Boeing T-43A aircraft.
After retiring, Steve worked as a research scientist for Battelle Memorial Institute. Upon leaving Battelle, Steve began a career as a telecom engineer with Lucent Technologies. After retiring from Lucent, Steve started a new career as a writer. He has published four historical fiction novels and three children’s picture books.
Steve has a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University in biology and chemistry, a master’s degree from Chapman University in health science, and a doctorate in flying training from the U.S. Air Force. In addition, he has completed post-doctorate education in adult education at The Ohio State University.
Steve joined The Little Coffee Company in 2021.

