Community Coffee: A Century-Old Family Tradition in the South

America's largest family-owned retail coffee brand has deep roots in Louisiana dating back to 1919.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of whole coffee beans, a glass carafe filled with freshly brewed coffee, and a vintage-style ceramic mug on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the premium quality and timeless tradition of the Community Coffee brand.Community Coffee's century-old Southern roots and family-owned legacy are embodied in this premium still-life of the brand's signature products.Baton Rouge Today

Community Coffee, a beloved coffee brand in the South, has remained in the Saurage family for four generations since its founding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1919. What started as a coffee blend sold in a local grocery store has grown into a multimillion-dollar business with a national presence, including being served on Southwest Airlines flights and expanding its own CC's Coffee House cafes beyond Louisiana.

Why it matters

As most major coffee brands have become corporate-owned, Community Coffee stands out as a rare example of a family-owned business that has thrived for over a century. The company's commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and community involvement has also helped it maintain its loyal customer base in the South and beyond.

The details

In 1919, Henry "Cap" Saurage began selling his own coffee blend, which he dubbed "Community" for its ability to bring people together, in his Baton Rouge grocery store. By 1924, the coffee business had become the Saurage family's main focus, and it has remained in their hands ever since, growing into the largest family-owned retail coffee brand in the U.S. Over the years, Community Coffee has faced competition from bigger brands but has maintained its presence, expanding into its own CC's Coffee House cafes in the 1990s. Today, the company employs over 1,000 people across 26 states and generates an estimated $500 million in revenue under the leadership of fourth-generation owner Matt Saurage.

  • Community Coffee was founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1919.
  • The company became the Saurage family's main business in 1924.
  • The company opened its first CC's Coffee House cafes in the 1990s.
  • Community Coffee is now available nationwide and serves its coffee on Southwest Airlines flights.

The players

Henry "Cap" Saurage

The founder of Community Coffee, who began selling his own coffee blend in his Baton Rouge grocery store in 1919.

Matt Saurage

The fourth-generation owner of Community Coffee, leading the company to an estimated $500 million in revenue.

Community Coffee

A family-owned retail coffee brand based in Louisiana that has remained in the Saurage family for four generations since its founding in 1919.

CC's Coffee House

A chain of coffee shops owned by the Saurage family as a separate company from the Community Coffee brand.

World Coffee Research

A nonprofit organization that Community Coffee is a founding member of, funding research and sustainability initiatives in the coffee industry.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Community Coffee continues to expand its retail presence and cafe locations, aiming to bring its Southern-rooted coffee brand to more customers nationwide.

The takeaway

Community Coffee's enduring success as a family-owned business for over a century in an industry dominated by corporate giants demonstrates the power of maintaining a strong community connection, ethical sourcing practices, and a commitment to sustainability. The brand's expansion beyond its Louisiana roots shows it has resonated with coffee drinkers across the country.