Buddy Brew Coffee’s Bold Push into Sarasota and Southwest Florida Coffee Culture

Coffee lovers across Southwest Florida are about to get a fresh jolt of excitement — and competition — as Tampa-based Buddy Brew Coffee expands its footprint into the Sarasota area and beyond with a major new partnership rollout slated for later this year.

Buddy Brew’s Sprouts in-store café strategy closely mirrors a proven retail-coffee playbook already used by brands like Kahwa Coffee and Starbucks, both of which have successfully embedded cafés inside high-traffic grocery and big-box environments. In Florida, Kahwa Coffee has leveraged in-store placements within Publix to reach customers during routine shopping trips, while Starbucks has long mastered the model with cafés inside Publix as well as hundreds of locations within Target stores nationwide. The shared logic is simple but powerful: meet customers where they already are, combine convenience with brand familiarity, and turn everyday errands into habitual coffee moments—an approach Buddy Brew is now tapping into as it scales across Sarasota and the broader Southwest Florida region.

A New Chapter: 10 Buddy Brew Cafés Inside Sprouts

Buddy Brew, a beloved specialty coffee roaster and café brand founded in Tampa, has announced a strategic partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market to open 10 in-store cafés across Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida, including Sarasota County, among the key target markets.

These new locations will operate inside select Sprouts stores — a model that allows Buddy Brew to grow without the expense and time of building standalone storefronts. Instead, customers will enjoy handcrafted espresso drinks, cold brew, specialty beverages, and artisan food items in high-traffic grocery environments, making it easier to grab a quality cup of coffee during daily errands.

While exact addresses and opening dates have yet to be announced, the expansion is set for 2026, with Buddy Brew poised to more than double its café count statewide.

Why This Matters for Sarasota’s Coffee Scene

This move marks a significant intrusion into a competitive breakfast and coffee market where local favorites and national chains have carved out loyal followings. Sarasota — like many parts of Southwest Florida — has seen steady growth in café culture, driven by residents and seasonal visitors seeking quality coffee, breakfast fare, and gathering spots.

Buddy Brew’s arrival inside Sprouts adds a new dynamic competitor alongside:

• Independent cafés and roasters
• Established national coffee chains with multiple SWFL locations
• Hybrid breakfast-and-brunch spots where coffee is a centerpiece of the menu

By offering a specialty coffee experience inside a grocery store, Buddy Brew taps into both convenience and quality — a combination that appeals strongly to today’s consumers, especially Millennials and Gen Z shoppers who prioritize craft beverages and local brands over generic chain options.

From Tampa Staple to Regional Player

Buddy Brew has built its reputation on locally roasted beans, thoughtful sourcing, and a friendly but serious approach to coffee. The brand’s ethos — “Brew Good. Do Good.” — reflects its commitment to quality and community.

With existing cafés in Tampa and a presence on the University of South Florida campus, Buddy Brew already has a loyal following. Its expansion into new counties — including Sarasota — promises to introduce the brand to customers who may not have previously had easy access to its offerings.

Impact on the Local Breakfast & Coffee Market

The strategic in-store model places Buddy Brew cafés in built-in foot-traffic environments, effectively optimizing visibility and accessibility. For Sarasota and surrounding communities:

• Grocery-shopping customers may choose Buddy Brew over quick coffee runs to standalone cafés.
• The brand’s specialty drinks and food offerings could entice shoppers to linger longer in partner stores.
• Competing coffee shops may need to reevaluate menus and customer experience to retain regulars.

This expansion could sharpen competition not only with other specialty roasters and local breakfast spots but also with traditional national chains that have long dominated grocery-adjacent coffee service.

Looking Ahead

As the new cafés prepare to open throughout the region, Sarasota residents and commuters alike will soon have more access to premium espresso, cold brew, and creative breakfast beverages during every trip to the market — a development that reflects both Buddy Brew’s growth ambitions and the evolving tastes of Florida’s coffee drinkers.

Stay tuned for updates on specific Sprouts locations and opening timelines as Buddy Brew continues its flavorful expansion across Southwest Florida.