Scaling Authenticity: How Cafe Spice Achieved 10x Growth with Automation

For culinary brands, the “secret sauce” isn’t just an ingredient—it’s the technique. But how do you take a recipe perfected in a 5-pound batch and scale it to 2,000 pounds without losing the soul of the dish?

This was the challenge facing Cafe Spice as they transitioned from a manual 50,000-square-foot plant to a new, automated 70,000-square-foot facility in Beacon, NY.

Our case study explores how Cafe Spice partnered with Blentech to bridge the gap between artisanal care and industrial efficiency. By digitizing their culinary techniques, they didn’t just expand—they evolved.

The Highlights

By implementing Blentech’s SteamTherm batch cookers and ARTIS automation software, Cafe Spice achieved results that speak for themselves:

• Massive Capacity Boost: Cooking capacity increased by more than 10X, while packaging throughput quadrupled.
• Precision at Scale: The R&D team successfully translated 5–10 lb test kitchen recipes into 2,000+ lb production runs while maintaining the texture and integrity of ingredients.
• Digitized Consistency: Using AutoChef and ARTIS, the team can remotely monitor agitation and temperature, ensuring every batch matches the “gold standard” set in the test kitchen.
• Enhanced Safety: Data-driven insights and automated controls allow for rapid changeovers and streamlined safety compliance.

Read the Full Story

Discover how Cafe Spice preserved the authenticity of their global cuisines while unlocking the flexibility to feed a nation.

For a deeper dive, watch the Cafe Spice team discuss their journey in the webinar “How Cafe Spice Uses Automation to Propel Private Label” presented at the Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium.  Read Transcript

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