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Hampton Coffee Company - GreenLeaders
2010-00-19 


The customer is always right. It’s a motto smart businesses live by. And it took on special meaning for Hampton Coffee Company.

“Two of our customers work for renewable energy company Clean Energy USA,” explains Jason Belkin, who, along with his wife Theresa, co-own the company’s two East End cafés. “When they told us about the advantages of putting solar panels on the roof in our Water Mill location, we jumped on board.”

The Belkins not only save money and live out their environmental principles by using solar energy, but they’re spreading the message by providing a flat screen TV in the café that demonstrates how the system works. “People see in real time how much energy we’re saving, and also how much less carbon dioxide we’re emitting into the air,” says Belkin. “It’s inspiring them to explore alternative energy in their homes and businesses.”

The company has been making green improvements for years, including replacing old windows and light bulbs with energy-efficient ones; buying Energy-Star rated equipment; using a hybrid car to make deliveries; and bringing only reusable platters to catered events.

And it was customer input that led to another win-win green initiative. “We used to have to pay to have the waste oil from our fryer taken away,” says Belkin. “Now, we have a company that takes
it away for free and converts it to bio-diesel fuel.”

Being eco-friendly is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes great business sense, adds Belkin. “Our electric bill has come down, our equipment works better, and we’ve even made money on converting our used oil to bio-diesel. Our customers are more committed to Hampton Coffee Company because they see that Hampton Coffee Company is committed to them.”

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