Knowledge Perk’s flagship Rock Hill cafe.
After launching eight years ago in a roastery so small it was affectionately named “the closet,” Rock Hill, South Carolina-based Knowledge Perk recently swelled to 10 coffee shop locations, with more coming by the end of the year.
The company, founded by Ryan Sanderson and another partner in 2017, recently announced plans to open its first drive-through location, while also expanding deeper into nearby Southeastern states.
Knowledge Perk’s trajectory reflects both opportunism and adaptation, strategic partnerships with community organizations such as sports teams and a mix of store formats and operational structures.
A seasonal drink.
There are currently five company-owned-and-operated locations, plus multiple licensed locations and vendor booths throughout Bank of America Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.
“While we originally intended to launch a franchise model this year, we have decided to hold until next year, until we progress a little further into a couple projects that will really give our franchise operators a better advantage in their respective markets,” Sanderson, who also serves as CEO, recently told Daily Coffee news.
A Bright Idea
The first major step forward for Knowledge Perk came in October 2019 with the opening of its 4,500-square-foot flagship cafe and production roastery in Rock Hill. Then came a major hurdle with the pandemic of 2020.
“The COVID era was a pivotal time that really changed the direction of the company, starting with the decision to start buying school buses and converting them to coffee shops to help get coffee to customers who could not come to a store,” Sanderson said. “We were able to weather that storm and start looking towards future expansion.”
In 2021, the other Knowledge Perk founding partner decided to retire, and coffee sourcing expert Jordan Herring joined, soon after becoming a full partner and co-owner. Said Sanderson, “[Herring] has been instrumental in moving the company forward through his knowledge of the coffee supply chain and relationships with our producers.”
Knowledge Perk Partner Jordan Herring (right).
All of Knowledge Perk’s coffees continue to be roasted behind a glass wall at the flagship location, where head roaster Connor Moore operates a Diedrich IR-12 machine. For green coffee, the company works with importers such as Unblended Coffee, De La Finca and Balzac Brothers.
“We may not strictly follow the specialty coffee trend of highlighting only the lightest or most unconventional coffees,” Sanderson said. “Instead, we embrace a range of roast profiles, from bright and funky to more developed and traditional, ensuring there’s something for everyone who walks through our doors to enjoy.”
The same coffees will soon be available to guests who drive through the new location in Little River, South Carolina. While that shop, and a second drive-through location already in the works, will feature a similar espresso program and overall menu as other Knowledge Perk shops, its smaller format and need for speed will eliminate pourover and French press options.
A caprese chicken salad sandwich.
“The launch of our first drive-through in Little River is a strategic step toward scalable, high-efficiency growth,” Sanderson said. “We believe we can offer the ultimate drive-through hybrid: true specialty coffee with an elevated menu, not prepackaged foods, in a fast and efficient method that allows for the ultimate convenience while retaining the quality we are known for.”
Beyond Traditional Retail
Knowledge Perk’s expansion strategy also extends beyond traditional retail, through partnerships with organizations like Charlotte FC, the University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University and the U.S. Disc Golf Championship, among others. Sanderson said those partnerships are designed to align “with communities that are loyal, competitive and brand-conscious.”
Sanderson said he expects the company to launch franchising in 2026, with an eye on the Carolinas as well as Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and even Texas. He also said the company is looking to add another production roaster in order to meet growing company-driven and wholesale demand.
Bags from past Knowledge Perk sports and university collaborations.
Sanderson also suggested the company plans to expand upon its sporty lifestyle focus.
“Without giving too much away, let’s just say that we’re working on a few exciting collaborations that bridge the worlds of coffee, sports, and education in ways that haven’t been done before,” he said. “These initiatives will redefine how coffee connects with athletes, fans and university communities, and we can’t wait to share more when the time is right.”
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Nick Brown
Nick Brown is the editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine.
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