NEWS

Brian Helfrich (on the left) receiving the 40 Under 40 Award

​For the past 31 years the Charlotte Business Journal has selected 40 local leaders who have had an impact on their companies, their industries, and their communities. Candidates are selected based on business success, community involvement, leadership ability, and influence on their region and/or quality of life.  And…they must be under the age of 40 on May 16, 2024.

Brian didn’t plan to go into the coffee business.  He graduated from Davidson College with a major in creative writing and theatre. Prior to joining his brother, Tim Helfrich, at Summit Coffee in 2011, Brian worked for four years as an associate editor at SportsBusiness Daily. Brian’s role when he came to Summit was to “grow the business.”

What started as a single coffee shop on Main Street in Davidson, Summit Coffee has grown to 15 coffee shops in three states (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) and a creamery.  Summit’s most recent project is Summit Farms – a 62-acre sustainable development at the Shearers Road/Rocky River Road intersection in Davidson. Summit Farms will include a 10-acre village, single-family homes, multi-family housing, a farm-to-table restaurant, bakery,  wine bar, cocktail lounge, and the headquarters for Summit Coffee. Brian sees Summit Farms as a “destination.”

Brian believes that the award he received is really a team award for the Summit employees, and he gives them much of the credit for Summit’s success. Brian and his executive team have been able to provide health benefits and six weeks of paid parental leave to Summit Coffee employees. In addition to offering employment opportunities, Summit Coffee works to be a positive addition to each community it serves. Summit Coffee founded Team Summit, a Davidson-based non-profit organization that has been funding summer camp opportunities for lower-income families since 2014.

Summit Coffee strives to be nimble and adaptable to change. Brian sees a symbiotic relationship between businesses and customers, and he works to earn the trust of those customers. As to work-life balance, Brian never ignores work or family, but is always focused on both.

Congratulations, Brian. Thank you for what Summit Coffee is doing in Davidson.