Gerry Ford: Caffè Nero’s chief barista fighting for his empire
British-based Caffè Nero welcomes its guests in more than 1000 stores in 10 countries and collects the best quality beans from all over the world and roasts them meticulously in its own roasting center.
Famous for its traditional Italian coffee quality, fresh and delicious food, and warm atmosphere, Caffe Nero was founded by Gerry Ford in London in 1997 as a premium coffee chain brand. Gerry Ford's personal fascination with Mediterranean style, flavors and Italy has shaped the company in this way. Actually, he is from California and lives in England. Ford has determined to offer its guests a lifestyle alongside quality espresso and fresh food, its Mediterranean spirit, warmth, and the importance it attaches to human values as the cornerstones of its brand culture. Caffe Nero is known today as "the best espresso west of Milan".
Gerry Ford (born 4 November 1957) is a London-based American businessman and the Chief Executive of Caffè Nero, the UK's third-largest coffee chain. In 2020 Ford said that he had spent 70% of his life in Europe, and that this is where he developed a passion for and understanding of coffee and coffee houses.
Caffe Nero started its first overseas adventure outside of England in 2007 with Turkey. It opened its first store in Istanbul İstinye Park AVM on October 10, 2007.
It was awarded the best brand in the UK by the British Design Council in 2000. In 2004 and 2005, Business Week magazine named it one of the 20 fastest growing companies in Europe. Its founder, Gerry Ford, won the entrepreneur of the year award at the 2005 PLC awards.
Gerry Ford explains what he had in mind when he founded Caffe Nero: "I dreamed of a pleasant place where customers feel as comfortable and peaceful as at home, listen to quality music, meet with friends, hold business meetings, read the newspapers, and watch the flow of life." The most important part of the dream was healthy food. At Caffe Nero, quality food is crowned with delicious Italian coffees.
The story began in 1997. Gerry Ford, who holds a PhD in international economics and politics from Oxford University, bought five coffee shops in London. By purchasing three new stores in 1998, it increased the number of stores to 8. In 1999, he took the first step out of London with a store in Manchester, increasing the number of stores to 31 towards the end of 2000. Tatler, one of Britain's most famous fashion magazines, wrote that Caffe Nero was "the best espresso in the west of Milan". This phrase became the motto of the brand.
We ask Gerry Ford about his brand philosophy: "It's actually very simple. Our coffee, the European atmosphere, our food and of course our service understanding. We also attach great importance to the local structures and cultures of the locations where our stores are located. We are a young and dynamic coffee brand. The most important factor behind the brand's success. One of the important reasons is that the quality of coffee is very high, as well as the same standard of other foods and beverages. Paninis, salads, pastas, cakes and cookies... Taste and health are really important to us. We serve milk."
How is the coffee here different from others? In order to understand Caffe Nero, it is necessary to know the answer to this question well. The coffees are made with a very special blend of seven different coffee beans. A delicious and intense blend. It is turned into coffee by experienced staff. Gerry Ford explains that the staff undergo rigorous training: "All of our employees receive serious training over the weeks on how to serve the best espresso."