Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA Shares Coffee with the World from Virginia

A Global Reach From Hampton Roads

Conveniently situated in Hampton Roads and following a significant expansion in 2012, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA (MZB-USA) provides world-class coffees to all channels and segments of the industry from the convenient locations of Hampton Roads, where the company expanded in 2012, and Suffolk, where it expanded in 2022.

One of this continent’s largest coffee groups, this North American unit of Italy-based global coffee roaster and marketer Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, MZB-USA operates four distribution hubs across the country, a national delivery network, and a coffee farm in Hawaii. The company's nationally recognized brands include Chock Full ‘o Nuts®, Hills Bros.®, Segafredo Zanetti®, Kauai Coffee®, MJB®, and Chase & Sanborn®.

A Profitable Partnership

As MZB-USA’s growth continued, the company began to eye opportunities in China. MZB-USA was soon connected with Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s country representative, who worked with the company to overcome labeling and licensing issues and cleared the way for the exportation of 27 of their different products into China. 

VEDP International Trade also paved the way for MZB-USA to continue expanding its global footprint through VEDP’s Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. VALET helps companies in the Commonwealth expand their international presence through export planning services and assistance, provided by a team of experienced global service providers.

The team identified the Czech Republic, Poland, and South Korea as potential target markets where coffee consumption was growing and where competitors were already investing or planning to invest. The VALET program made it possible for MZB-USA to participate in VEDP global trade missions and travel to these target markets, breaking down barriers to entry which set the stage for increased sales.

Now, MZB-USA has three more new international distributor partners who actively place orders for their products. 

Continued Expansion 

MZB-USA now imports green coffee through The Port of Virginia and transports it to its main manufacturing plant nearby, where it roasts, grinds, and packages its own brands.

In 2022, MZB-USA also announced plans to invest $29.1 million to consolidate and expand operations at its roasting facility in Suffolk. Virginia successfully competed with New Jersey for the project, which represented 79 new jobs.

MZB-USA is just one of several coffee and tea companies in the Hampton Roads region. These companies benefit from The Port of Virginia’s facilities, location, and certification as a delivery point for coffee beans traded through futures contracts. About a third of all green coffee imported into the United States comes into the Mid-Atlantic region (The Port of Virginia, Baltimore, Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C.). In 2016, the port was certified as a delivery point for Arabica coffee beans traded through the Intercontinental Exchange's "C" futures contracts.

MZB-USA’s ongoing expansion in Virginia speaks volumes about the Commonwealth’s business climate, infrastructure, access to domestic and global markets, and top-notch talent. As its then-vice president of business development Brian Kubicki told The Virginian-Pilot in 2016, “Folks who know coffee know that Hampton Roads is important.”

Our proximity to major transit lanes and The Port of Virginia, one of the largest coffee ports in the country, further enhances our position and allows for continued growth, while adding to the economic vitality of the area. Hampton Roads has a business-friendly environment, high quality of life, and a diverse talent pool. 

John Boyle, President & CEO, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA