OUR ROOTS

zen's mission

Zen Coffee Company is a Women Owned, family built, Green Certified specialty coffee company rooted in Omaha, Nebraska.
We believe coffee is more than a drink, it is an experience. We are passionate about creating spaces that feel welcoming, thoughtful, and inclusive, with a menu designed to offer something for everyone.

Giving back has always been part of who we are. A portion of our profits is reinvested directly into the communities and local nonprofits we serve.

Our goal is simple: to bring people together through high-quality coffee, intentional spaces, and a genuine sense of connection.

OUR Roots

When I think about how Zen started, it was never just about coffee.
Ryan and I were both born and raised in Omaha, and from the beginning, we knew we wanted to build something that gave back to the community that shaped us. Something intentional. Something people could truly connect to.
After over a decade in corporate coffee and customer service, I felt pulled to create something more personal. A space focused not just on quality, but on experience, sustainability, and the way people feel the moment they walk through the door.
Ryan helped bring that vision to life, creating spaces that feel calm, thoughtful, and built with purpose. Each location is intentionally designed to reflect its surroundings and the history of the space itself, while still holding onto the heart of who we are.
What started as one small shop has grown into something we never could have imagined. We’ve built an incredible team, and over the years, our kids have grown up in these spaces. Getting to see them now be a part of it has been one of the most meaningful parts of this journey.
Zen was built on the idea that small things matter. How a space feels. How a drink is made. How someone is welcomed in.

And we’re just really glad you’re here!!

- Abby

sourced with intention

Our coffee is roasted by Dapper & Wise, a roastery that grew from Insomnia Coffee Company in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Our connection to them is personal. During our time in Cannon Beach, we discovered Insomnia Coffee and were immediately drawn to the quality, intention, and overall experience. This was long before specialty coffee had really made its mark in Omaha, and it opened our eyes to what coffee could be. That experience stayed with us and helped shape the vision for what Zen would become. Cannon Beach is also where we were married, so a piece of our hearts will always be tied to that place and the beginning of this journey.
Their team takes great care in sourcing high-quality beans and working closely with farmers to ensure every coffee is thoughtfully developed and selected from origin to roast.
At Zen, we believe in doing coffee differently. We partner with people who share our commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and quality, ensuring that every cup reflects care at every step.
We’re proud to bring this responsibly sourced, expertly roasted coffee to the Midwest in a way that feels approachable and welcoming. A space where people can explore and enjoy specialty coffee without pretense, just really good coffee, served with intention.

proudly green certified

At Zen, sustainability is not an initiative, it is part of how we operate every day.
Through our partnership with Hillside Solutions, we are proud to operate with a near waste-free model, working to reduce our environmental impact across all locations.
We believe responsibility starts at the source. From the farmers and importers to our roasters, baristas, and guests, we are intentional about supporting ethical practices at every step of the process.
All of our pastries and baked goods are made in house, allowing us to prioritize quality, freshness, and thoughtful sourcing. For guests staying in, we serve items using real tableware. For those on the go, we use biodegradable packaging designed to minimize waste without compromising the experience. We choose not to offer straws by default, providing them only when needed, and when we do, they are made from agave as a more sustainable alternative.
Across our stores, coffee grounds, food waste, straws, tea sachets, and paper products are composted or recycled whenever possible. These practices are built into our daily routines, not treated as an afterthought.
We know this is an ongoing commitment. We are always learning, always improving, and always looking for better ways to serve both our community and the environment, while encouraging those around us to do the same.