Author: Ciarra Colacino

Chris’s Coffee Recommendation

“Moka Java is my current go-to.

The Ethiopian coffee component has a bright, clean blueberry note and the Sumatra gives an earthy darkness to the blend.

Together those flavor attributes make a great cup of coffee!”

Fun Fact About Chris!

Chris designed and developed the 12-Cup Carrier Tray currently sold to and used by wholesale customers across the nation.

He had a blast using his knowledge and experience to create a product that was efficient to ship, able to accommodate a variety of beverage sizes and types, and was fully recyclable.

Operations Manager Extraordinaire

We’re celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Tim Lidstrom. Tim serves as our Operations Manager — when he’s not lending a hand at the grill, of course.

Leading DCR operations involves agility, a can-do attitude, and a passion for delighting customers. Whether brewing coffee at home or serving lattes from cafes coast to coast, Tim wants to make sure your order arrives on time and with the utmost freshness.

Core Values as a Way of Life

When asked which of our Core Values resonates the deepest with Tim, he responded “Be friendly and have a sense of humor!”

He explains, “Being a part of DCR is about more than just employment. There are many places to work, but when you find a place that focuses on friendliness and finding the fun in your work, it’s amazing.  It creates a culture that can’t be taught or forced because it is a symptom of genuine people and evidence of a long-standing vision that started from the beginning of Dillanos.”

Making Friends and Having Fun

We asked Tim what he appreciates the most about DCR, no surprise to us his mind went to his co-workers and a sense of genuine camaraderie.

“I appreciate DCR’s commitment to employing good people.  It’s not exactly easy to get through DCR’s rigorous interview process, but the company’s tenacity to find individuals who are a mutually good fit is like no other.”

Tim’s Coffee Recommendation

Tim’s favorite coffee after a decade of leading operations around our headquarters: Dillons Blend. He says it’s great no matter how you serve it — drip brew, classic espresso, mixed with milk over ice in the summer. Our flagship blend is a favorite among many staff and customers alike!

Derek Fergus, Delivery Driver

Howie’s Blend

Rich, full body. Toast aroma. Tastes of dark chocolate.

“Howie’s Blend feels like slipping into your favorite cozy sweater—it’s warm, familiar, and comforting.

The classic dark chocolate notes and toasty aroma wrap you in a sense of home, making every sip as inviting as a favorite place to relax.

Perfect for anyone who craves a coffee that’s both rich and down-to-earth.”

Madison Earll, Purchasing Coordinator

Sumatra

Strong, heavy body. Toasted oak aroma. Tastes of earthy, bittersweet chocolate.

“Sumatra is my go-to dark roast for the holidays. It’s the right amount of earthy, and the notes of bittersweet chocolate bring on all the cozy vibes.

Whether it’s enjoyed with loved ones or there as support for those late-night gift-wrapping sessions, Sumatra is the perfect blend to warm you up this holiday season!”

Maggie Matthews, Inbound Clerk

Swiss Water Decaf

Rich, full body. Floral aroma. Tastes of toasted grain.

“Swiss Water Decaf makes a typically morning-only drink into a cozy anytime beverage. 

The coffee is named after the decaffeination process used. Swiss water is a 100% chemical free process that was invented in Switzerland (of course) and allows us to maintain the organic certification for our coffee.

Finally I can come in from the cold and warm up with a hot cup of coffee and know I will still be able to sleep.”

Chris Rosemann, Delivery Driver

Papua New Guinea

Rich, heavy body. Dried fruit aroma. Tastes of raisin.

“One of my favorite things about living in the beautiful PNW is its incredible natural diversity – it’s an area of rich contrast. You can stand on a rocky mountain top and breathe in the frigid air blowing off an ancient glacier. Within an hour’s drive you’re on the shore and, if you get really lucky, watch Orcas swim by.

Our Papua New Guinea is that feeling in a cup for me. A coffee that’s a lighter roast and has a fruity sweetness, tastes of raisin and grapes come to mind. At the same time it’s incredibly rich and full bodied; a combination rarely found in one coffee.”

Katie Elliott, Senior Sales Operations Manager

Green Planet

Rich, full body. Floral aroma. Tastes of cocoa.

“There’s nothing like a warm cup of Green Planet on a crisp, sunny fall morning.

This rich, full-bodied brew has the perfect balance of floral aromas and cocoa notes–it’s autumn in a cup!

What I love most? It’s USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified, so I’m sipping with a clear conscience, knowing it is sourced responsibly.

Whether I’m curling up with a good book or getting a little work done, this coffee never disappoints. Definitely try this one for yourself.”

Bailey Best, Customer Service Representative

Skylar’s

Rich, full body. Sweet aroma. Tastes of malt & honey.

“Skylar’s has been my favorite Dillanos coffee this year! It’s a blend of coffees from Ethiopia and Brazil, two growing regions that complement each other really well. Ethiopian brings the complexity to the equation, while Brazilian beans round things out with its natural richness and full body.

Those characteristics underscored by tasty malt and honey flavors make this drink exactly what I look for in a coffee.”

William Charlot, Packager

Rio Azul

Rich, full body. Rye aroma. Tastes of milk chocolate.

“I’ve always liked coffee, but tended to favor darker roasts. I think that’s pretty common for a lot of us… thinking darker roasts means richer coffee flavors.

Enter Rio Azul.

It’s one of the first lighter roast blends that I’ve tried, and wow was I surprised. Despite being a medium-light roast, this coffee has a rich, full body with creamy milk chocolate flavor notes.

There’s a lot going on with our Rio Azul, which is pretty cool given that it’s actually a single origin — That means the beans come from one single place: a region called Huehuetenango in Northern Guatemala.

Since taking the leap away from dark roasts, Rio Azul has been a favorite of mine. Anytime it’s prepared in the front lobby, I always grab a cup.”

Anna Gutierrez, Barista 22 Director of Brand Development

Omission Decaf

Crisp, full body. Molasses aroma. Tastes of maple syrup.

“I’ve become a recent fan of our Omission Decaf Blend because it’s proof that you don’t have to sacrifice amazing coffee flavor just because it’s decaf!

My husband and I switched to “unleaded” coffee a few months ago and haven’t looked back! It’s our go-to for that perfect morning aroma and nostalgia or a cozy cup in the evenings by the fire with our pup.

Now I can enjoy my post-2pm coffee fix without staying up all night. It’s the best of both worlds!”

Lindsay Viggers, National Sales Representative

Rogue

Strong, light body. Toasted aroma. A lasting, sweet, smoky taste.

“I love Rogue for its perfect balance. And that’s really saying something because this coffee blends beans sourced from no less than four different regions around the globe!

Rogue has this sweet, somewhat smoky taste that plays off great against its strong body. Even with the depth that comes from a medium-dark roast, this coffee manages to finish light on the tongue… it’s impressive.”

Trevor Kacja, Roaster

Ava Blonde

Crisp, light body. Almond aroma. Tastes of malt & chocolate.

“As part of the roasting team at Dillanos, it’s not always easy to choose a favorite coffee. This year, Ava Blonde caught my attention…

While chocolate flavor notes are a real crowd-pleaser for most coffee lovers, Ava Blonde takes that up a notch by bringing a nod of malt and an almond aroma to the table. That almond aroma is so unique and gives Ava Blonde real distinction among a huge variety of great Dillanos coffees.

Whether it’s espresso, Aeropress, pour over, or a simple pot of drip brew, Ava Blonde will always taste amazing.”

Alyssa Wells, Outbound

Hannah’s Private Reserve

Rich, heavy body. Nougat aroma. Tastes of sweet chocolate.

“I love making Hannah’s Private Reserve first thing in the morning because it fills my house with the sweet aroma of nougat and chocolate. It’s such a treat!

There’s nothing better than getting your day started with an amazing cup of coffee that doesn’t even need creamer, because it’s that awesome!”

Debbie Koehler, Accounts Receivable

Special Dark

Rich, heavy body. Nougat aroma. Tastes of sweet chocolate.

“Special Dark is my go-to coffee, every morning. It has a full body, black licorice aroma and tastes of dark chocolate.

Normally I drink this black, but during the holiday season, I love to add a splash of Peppermint Mocha creamer. I even brew this in the early morning hours on Christmas for Santa, to stay on his “nice” list. He is never disappointed! “

And the winner is…

We have a tradition here at Dillanos Coffee Roasters. Every year we release a brand new version of It’s a Wonderful Blend, our holiday coffee. Our team of professional coffee roasters join in a friendly competition against one another to craft a proprietary blend of coffee, contending to be this season’s selection for the coveted It’s a Wonderful Blend.

Director of Coffee, Phil Beattie, sets the perimeters. From countries of origin to target flavor profiles, Phil issues the challenge… and our roasting pros boldly accept!

This year, the competitors were tasked to develop a blend of coffees of from these countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, and/or Java. They could be used in whatever portion the roaster determines and roasted to the degree they believed would showcase the target flavor, body, aroma, and overall holiday-ness of the blend for their final product.

Six competed, and six impressed. It was a tough lot this year! So tough, in fact, that two blends tied in the original judging. We had to put it to a tie-breaking vote, inviting all staff and our customers to weigh in!

After setting both coffees out in the lobby for a week differentiated as “Dancer” and “Prancer” to keep the two totally anonymous, a winner prevailed: Trevor Kajca’s “Prancer”! Trevor’s blend featured 50% Costa Rica, 40% Colombia, and 10% Honduras and was roasted to a medium-light.

This coffee presented with an intense, full body, candied aroma, and lighter flavors of clove and sweet figs. The aftertaste is smooth and it tastes incredible brewed with a French Press.

Blends are brewed in a variety of methods. French press, Chemex, and Pour over are all represented in this year’s competition.

Each submission is judged blind… Our team of experts are able to identify the subtle nuances between the six entries and rank them accordingly.

Competitors take care to brew their personal blends crafted to hit the targets set by Director of Coffee, Phil Beattie.

Leaders from all departments are invited to line up, grab a cup, and assess each entry for aroma, flavor profile, mouthfeel, and overall appeal.

The Dillons Box

Each box contains 12 oz of It’s a Wonderful Blend along with Dillons, our flagship blend. Dillons has been a best-seller since we first started roasting coffee in 1992! It’s a medium-roast coffee that boasts a rich, full body with an intoxicating roasted hazelnut aroma and chocolatey flavor notes.

Choose from whole bean or drip grind, and use the complementary gift tag to personalize your gift.

The Barista 22 Gift Box

Perfect for the mocha lover in your life, the Barista 22 Gift Box offers a 12 oz bag of It’s a Wonderful Blend coffee in your choice of whole bean or drip grind paired with two decadent Barista 22 sauces.

Stir it in or drizzle on top! The Barista 22 Chocolate and White Chocolate Sauces add luxurious flavors and a festive finishing touch.

These sauces bring the flavors of a professional cafe to the comfort of home. From coffee to cocktails, B22 Chocolate and White Chocolate Sauces will elevate any of your holiday creations.

The Peppermint Treats Gift Box

Enjoy the newest addition to the Dillanos Coffee Roasters family: Avalanche Baking Company!

Four extra-large Peppermint Crispy Rice Treats, paired with 12 oz It’s a Wonderful Blend, are the perfect gift for the sweet tooth in your life. It’s coffee and dessert in a box!

Available for a limited time, we can’t get enough of these peppermint treats around the Dillanos headquarters!

Sumner’s Chamber of Commerce Hosts an evening honoring women in business.

We joined the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce’s 6th Annual Women in Business event, celebrating leadership, mentorship, and women’s history on September 26, 2024.

An evening of inspiring speakers and business expo, Team DCR was thrilled to hear from the President & CEO of United Way Pierce County, the Chief Nurse Executive of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, and Puyallup Food Bank leadership.

Dillanos Coffee Roasters is a proud member of the Puyallup-Sumner community and has hosted the Chamber of Commerce many times at our facility in Sumner, WA.

Hosted by the Puget Sound Business Journal, Washington’s Best Workplaces honors local employers.

The contest is designed to recognize companies that do an exceptional job of cultivating an engaged staff where their value is known and celebrated.

Companies are assessed in six key areas:

• Communication & Resources
• Individual Needs
• Manager Effectiveness
• Personal Engagement
• Team Dynamics
• Trust in Leadership

Nominated companies are provided with an independently managed survey for each staff member to complete. Responses are tallied by Quantum Workplace. Quantum hosts Best Workplace contests for publications and business communities across the nation.

Washington’s Best Places to Work

Sponsored by the Puget Sound Business Journal, this is the first appearance by Dillanos Coffee Roasters.

“Receiving this award was a thrilling surprise. It’s an incredible honor to be recognized as one of Washington’s best places to work, especially ranking #5 in the large business category.

Walking the bases at T-Mobile Park and celebrating with my long-time colleague Enrique felt surreal, but it was also a proud moment for all of us at Dillanos Coffee Roasters. After 23 years here, I can confidently say this award reflects the genuine dedication our Co-CEOs have put into fostering a positive culture and making Dillanos a great place to work for everyone.”

– Carissa H., Chief of Staff

“I love that they allowed us to round the bases on the field at T-Mobile Park when Dillanos and our #5 ranking was announced!!

As I got to 1st base, walking with Carissa, and thinking about our friendship and all the “family members” I have gained through Dillanos.

As we got to 2nd base, I thought about how Dillanos has cared for my own family at home as well as provided a life we enjoy.

Getting to 3rd base, I thought about how grateful I am to work for a company that provides amazing opportunities for us, while helping our customers and business owners from all over fulfill their dreams and futures they can celebrate!

Then… as we arrived at home plate, I thought about the pride that David, Chris, & Howie all had and still have in the creation, growth, and most importantly in us that they all consider family. That pride is what brought us here tonight!

Today my heart was full, and my cup was overflowing with gratefulness, gratitude, and pride to be part of something that is so much more than a Best Places To Work.”

– Enrique G., Delivery Supervisor

Co-CEOs David J. Morris and Chris Heyer celebrated 30 years in 2022

A passion for entrepreneurship and a drive for success, David J. Morris set out on a venture and founded Dillanos Coffee Roasters. Dillanos, named after his oldest son Dillon, opened as an espresso cart in 1992 in front of the well-known Sunshine Mart, a convenience store located in Buckley, Washington.

The Sunshine Mart, which still stands today, was owned, and operated by Howard Heyer, David’s stepfather. Howard, or Howie as many called him, took a chance with David and his coffee cart and the two developed a business partnership.

The cart was fueled by David’s enthusiasm, Howard’s business background, and a sincere desire to offer great coffee and great service. The following year they set out and opened two more retail locations and would begin to make decisions that would shape the business for years to come.

In 1994, David’s brother, Chris Heyer, joined the family business at the age of 19 and bought into the company as a third owner. Chris had worked as an experienced barista at a coffee cart outside of a local grocery store. Together, they kicked off Dillanos Coffee Roasters as a wholesale coffee roasting operation. It wasn’t long before the brothers were soaking up information from coffee professionals throughout the country. They learned from the ground up what it takes to source high-quality green coffee, perfect nuanced roast profiles, and create balanced, smooth-tasting blends.

They were passionate about the artistry of bringing out a coffee’s inherent character with just a small nudge of time and temperature. They soon sold the retail stores and put all their energy into wholesale roasting at a new location in Sumner, Washington. As the family business continued to expand, Dillanos Coffee Roasters grew from a tiny three-person outfit to a nationally recognized roaster with more than 1,500 wholesale locations serving Dillanos Coffee across the country.

Today, Dillanos Coffee Roasters employs more than 100 enthusiastic staff members and roasts for some of the country’s most recognized specialty coffee brands.

Did you know?

One cup of brewed coffee has more caffeine than one cup of green tea, one shot of espresso, and a can of cola combined?

There are two chemical-free methods for decaffeinating coffee?

That caffeine has positive health benefits, including the reduced risk of developing certain cancers?

Thanks to two members from our professional roasting team, employees at Dillanos Coffee Roasters had a chance to learn the answers to those questions and more.

Ongoing Staff Education

One of our most important core values at Dillanos Coffee Roasters is Core Value #5: Never Stop Learning & Growing.

We put this core value into action when two of our dedicated roasters hosted a workshop for staff this summer.

Tyler and Trevor presented to their coworkers from Customer Support, Finance, Sales, Outbound, HR, and fellow roasters at our headquarters in Sumner, Washington this July. The duo taught on decaffeinated coffee.

Our staff was able to learn about the processes by which caffeine is extracted from coffee beans, the health benefits and risks of caffeine, as well as popular studies and controversial topics surrounding caffeine and decaffeination methods through this presentation.

Everyone walked away with a greater appreciation for decaf and the four different options we have available for our customers.

Decafs by Dillanos

French Roast Decaf

Dark Roast. Strong, light body. Smoky aroma. Tastes of tobacco.

Mach-Ninni Decaf

Medium-dark roast. Rich, light body. Clove aroma. Nutty taste.

Omission Decaf

Medium-light roast. Crisp, full body. Molasses aroma. Tastes of maple syrup.

Swiss Water Decaf

Medium roast. Rich, full body. Floral aroma. Tastes of toasted grain.