Proud Mary Coffee

Overview

Proud Mary Coffee is an Australia-based specialty coffee company that sources, roasts, and supplies high-quality coffee beans direct from origin across Australia and the United States. The brand operates multiple locations including its flagship cafe and roastery in Melbourne, along with cafes in Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas. Proud Mary is known for combining premium coffee with all-day breakfast and lunch offerings, emphasizing fresh, sustainable, and locally sourced produce alongside ethically sourced coffee.

History

Proud Mary was founded in 2009 by husband and wife Nolan and Shari Hirte in Collingwood, Melbourne, Australia. The company established itself as a specialty coffee roastery and cafe in Melbourne before expanding internationally. The Portland, Oregon location opened in 2017 as the company's first U.S. outpost. A second U.S. cafe opened in Austin, Texas in 2022, expanding the brand's geographic footprint while maintaining its focus on direct-origin coffee sourcing and sustainable business practices.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Proud Mary operates in-house roasteries at its Melbourne headquarters (Aunty Peg's location) and in Portland, Oregon. The company sources coffee beans directly from origin and roasts them in-house before supplying to its cafe locations and wholesale customers across Australia and the United States.

Notable Products

• Direct-Origin Specialty Coffee Beans - Single-origin and blended coffees sourced directly from coffee producers and roasted in-house
• All-Day Breakfast Menu - Offerings including avocado toast on sourdough, ricotta and vanilla pancakes, and potato hash with bacon and eggs
• Dandan Noodles - Asian-inspired noodle dish served at Melbourne locations
• Pork Belly Satay Sandwich - Protein-focused lunch item featuring locally sourced ingredients

Reputation

Proud Mary has garnered positive reception for its commitment to quality coffee and sustainable sourcing practices. The brand is recognized for building strong connections between coffee origin and consumer experience, with particular appreciation for its all-day cafe offerings that pair premium coffee with thoughtfully prepared food. The company is noted for its emphasis on ethical sourcing and local ingredient partnerships across its locations. The brand maintains a reputation as a specialty coffee destination rather than a mass-market operator.