On May 20, 2013, LaRue Coffee Roasterie is proud to celebrate 41 years in business.
LaRue Distributing, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Verlyn L'Heureux and was originally named Fountain Products of Nebraska. L'Heureux purchased the company's inventory from its previous owner and began selling to new customers, servicing existing customers as well as maintaining all bookkeeping, etc. from a garage operation. During this time, LaRue was a franchise operation, selling fountain products. This consisted of freeze dried coffees, teas and soups and targeted business offices in the eastern half of Nebraska. L'Heureux personally sold and built the areas of Nebraska, Iowa and the northern portion of Colorado. He then hired personnel to run the route system, service department and bookkeeping operations.
In 1975, the company incorporated and changed its name to LaRue Distributing, Inc. LaRue entered the fresh roasted coffee business, and introduced its own private label - "LaRue" brand coffee, which is roasted to the customer's specifications. LaRue quickly expanded into restaurants, convenience stores and institutional coffee services. By the mid-1980's, LaRue had grown into six states and increased its product line to more than 230 products, including non-carbonated beverages, cappuccino products, snacks and paper supplies. Today LaRue carries more than 1,749 products to service the needs of its clients.
It services convenience stores, restaurants, institutions and business offices in 13 states with more than 120,000 square-foot warehouse facilities. Its route personnel are trained to provide product delivery and equipment maintenance on a routine, scheduled basis to meet each customer's individual needs, according to the company.
LaRue Coffee and Roasterie also roasts and packages coffee for 60 coffee and vending company's under its label all across the country.
