In 2016, Audrey Finocchiaro and Sam Lancaster achieved their shared dream with a humble coffee cart named The Nitro Cart. Fuelled by their passion for coffee, they started this venture with a tight budget of under $100 a day and hefty credit card debt.
Over the years, they built a solid reputation for their unique product – Nitro cold brew, attracting coffee lovers from different walks of life to their small coffee cart. Their hard work and dedication to product quality began to bear fruit with a steadily growing customer base.
Starting at local events across Rhode Island, their nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee quickly became a favorite among patrons. Owing to its enhanced taste and smooth texture, they established a loyal following, encouraging them to establish a permanent location for their venture.
One central turning point was their early success at Brown University. Earning $400 within 30 minutes marked a milestone that built a wave of support, which eventually evolved into a permanent spot at the university for The Nitro Cart and a significant boost in popularity.
Transitioning from a cart to big business: The Nitro Bar
This success laid the groundwork for their establishment as a thriving business on the campus.
They formed strategic partnerships with local restaurants to counter the seasonal constraints, ensuring year-round operations and expanding their footprint. Their unique Nitro cold brew found a place on the menus of these establishments, securing consistent demand for their product throughout the year.
Fast forward to now, The Nitro Cart has evolved into The Nitro Bar, generating millions in revenue and employing 50 staff, running cafes and a mobile trailer. Their cold brew is now available in over 50 Rhode Island and Massachusetts locations, with plans to extend their reach to new markets. The Nitro Bar has plans for job creation and a significant boost to local economies while focusing on organic ingredients and environmentally friendly practices.
Reaching this success required tireless efforts, including long work weeks and strategic use of social media, especially TikTok. Further, a loan of $100,000 from venture capitalists in 2017, convertible to a 10% equity investment, aided their aggressive marketing and business expansion efforts.
The founders remained dedicated to exceeding investors’ expectations by transforming their small coffee cart business into the flourishing startup, The Nitro Bar. Their relentless dedication earned them a solid reputation in the industry, and today, The Nitro Bar continues to set a benchmark for emerging businesses.
