Today we’d like to introduce you to Landon Bonner & David Pittman
Landon Bonner & David Pittman, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
David Pittman is a distinguished co-founder of Peach Coffee Roasters, bringing a rich blend of military discipline and coffee expertise to the company. A Georgia native, David graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2001 with a degree in History and later earned a master’s certificate in Public Administration from Kansas State University.
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He dedicated 11 years to the U.S. Army as an Army Ranger Captain, completing two combat tours and earning three Bronze Star Medals with Valor Device, among other honors.
After his military service, David’s passion for coffee blossomed while assisting an American couple in establishing a coffee shop in Belgium, where he immersed himself in roles such as head roaster, barista, and Q-grader.
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Upon returning to Georgia, he joined Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Company, focusing on production processes and quality control, and mentoring emerging coffee professionals.
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In 2017, David transitioned to Thrive Farmers Coffee, consulting on warehouse operations and logistics.
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Reuniting with Landon Bonner in 2018, David co-founded Peach Coffee Roasters, aiming to create a business centered on people and exceptional coffee.
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Under their leadership, Peach Coffee Roasters has expanded to multiple locations and established a strong community presence, reflecting David’s commitment to quality, mentorship, and community engagement.
Born in Atlanta, GA, Landon Bonner grew up in the suburbs of Marietta, where his love for coffee first took root. In high school, he developed a passion for quality coffee—so much so that he would drive 20 minutes out of his way to grab a mocha latte from a Caribou Coffee before the first bell rang.
Upon graduating, Landon accepted a Division II football scholarship at the University of Charleston, WV, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Business, followed by an MBA. During college, he traveled the country visiting family and exploring coffee shops in cities like Chicago and New York, gaining insight into the industry’s diverse offerings. Whenever he returned home, he frequented Atlanta staples like Octane Coffee and Land of a Thousand Hills, further deepening his appreciation for specialty coffee.
Landon officially stepped into the coffee world in 2013, taking his first barista job at Mea Cuppa in Charleston, WV. There, he refined his palate while working with coffee from the industry’s most respected roasters, including Intelligentsia, JBC, Verve, Madcap, and PT’s Coffee.
His journey continued when he joined Land of a Thousand Hills as a Business Development Specialist, helping to expand and improve its retail operations. It was there that he met David Pittman, and the two quickly became good friends. Their shared passion for coffee and business eventually led them to launch Peach Coffee Roasters in 2018.
Today, Landon lives in Woodstock, GA, with his wife, Natalia, and their two children, Henley and Cooper.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Over nearly seven years in business, Peach Coffee Roasters has faced its share of challenges. None, however, were more difficult than the unforeseen obstacles brought on by COVID-19. Despite the uncertainty, Peach Coffee remained open, adapting to serve customers safely. The online business grew, and the Johns Creek community continued to support the café. Yet, the pandemic also brought labor shortages and rising operational costs due to inflation.
On a personal level, both Landon and David faced major life changes. Landon stepped away from the business for a time to focus on starting a family, while David also had to prioritize his family’s needs. The challenges of COVID put their original mission to the test—ensuring they were truly making a positive impact on people’s lives while expanding access to specialty coffee.
Through it all, the incredible Peach Coffee team rose to the occasion, providing outstanding hospitality and exceptional coffee despite limited direct involvement from ownership. This resilience spoke volumes about the strong foundation and culture they had built. In mid-2024, Landon returned full-time to help lead Peach into its next phase of growth.
The Next Challenge: Rising Green Coffee Prices
Today, the coffee industry faces another major hurdle—green coffee prices are at an all-time high. Costs have been steadily rising for over a year due to global shortages, labor challenges at origin, and a growing worldwide consumer base. While this presents difficulties for roasters and consumers, it also creates a unique opportunity for farmers. Peach Coffee Roasters embraces this challenge, working to balance fair pricing while making specialty coffee more accessible across the country.
“All of these challenges are just problems to solve—and problem-solving is our strength,” says Landon. “Running a small business is tough, and it’s not for everyone. But you can’t quit just because something gets hard. Our team relies on us. Customers rely on our team to bring them a little joy in a cup. And farmers rely on customers to continue supporting coffee—the most affordable luxury beverage.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
David and Landon first crossed paths in 2016 while working at a coffee company. After a year of collaboration, they recognized an opportunity to make a greater impact throughout the coffee supply chain. They saw the need for increased consumer accessibility to specialty coffee and a stronger commitment to the people who produce it.
In 2018, driven by this vision, they took a bold leap—launching a roasting company and café in an underserved coffee market. Their mission was simple yet powerful: to create a business centered on people, from farmers to baristas to customers.
Fast forward to 2025, Peach Coffee Roasters has grown into a thriving business with two cafés—its flagship store in Johns Creek and a second location in Buckhead. Beyond their own cafés, they collaborate with dozens of wholesale partners, from rural to urban, supplying coffee to other coffee shops, restaurants, offices, and even a winery. Their reach extends even further, with Peach Coffee now available on the shelves of 124 Walmart locations across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
1. Don’t Give Up – When faced with uncertainty, keep working the problem. The answer will come with persistence and adaptability.
2. Be Willing to Accept Help – Seek out mentors, business coaches, or industry peers for advice. Many business owners see themselves as experts and are often willing to share their insights and experiences.
3. Trust and Empower Your Team – You can’t do it all alone. Your staff was hired for a reason—give them responsibilities with clear expectations and KPIs. Hold both them and yourself accountable.
4. Leverage Technology – As your business grows, the old pen-and-paper method won’t be sustainable. Your time is too valuable to be buried in spreadsheets. Utilize automation and AI-driven tools to handle the heavy lifting. While these solutions come at a cost, the time you save can be better spent on marketing, securing deals, and generating leads.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://peachcoffeeroasters.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachcoffeeroasters
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeachCoffeeRoasters/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peach-coffee-roasters
