Coffee for a Cause: The Story Behind Black Rifle Coffee Company
A Clarksville business strives to aid military members and their families.
About 50 miles northwest of bustling Nashville is Clarksville, a friendly, thriving community that houses Fort Campbell.
While the majority are only here for a few short years, many military families fall in love with the close-knit city, its welcoming residents and quality-of-life amenities, such as its cute downtown, parks and affordable neighborhoods.
As a military community, several businesses and organizations in the area are keen on supporting service members, veterans and their families.
One business is Black Rifle Coffee Co. (BRCC), which opened its Clarksville location — and the first in Tennessee — in 2021. The company was founded in 2014 by former U.S. Army Green Beret Evan Hafer and has several other shops in the U.S.
“The Clarksville community has greeted BRCC with open arms since we opened about a year ago,” says Heath Nielsen, chief retail officer for BRCC. “We are grateful that so many people enjoy coming to BRCC for their daily cup of joe and also to hang out with friends or coworkers. Our regulars include first responders, members of the military and civilians. The Clarksville community continues to embrace us, and we’re proud to be here and appreciate the opportunity to give back in every way we can.”
While BRCC roasts some delicious coffee, the business works hard to provide resources for veterans, active-duty military and first responders. For instance, as the company expands, it has set a goal to hire 10,000 veterans. Plus, for service members looking to transition into entrepreneurship, the company works to help them through the process.
Another way it offers assistance is through its BRCC Fund, which was created in 2021 and has been used to support several organizations, such as Mett le Ops, HunterSeven Foundation, Back the Heroes Rumble and Folds of Honor. For example, in Clarksville, the fund has been used to help support the Night Stalker Foundation at Fort Campbell, a nonprofit that aids Night Stalkers — the world’s most elite special operations night-operating aviation force — and their families.
BRCC has also worked with other organizations around Clarksville, from providing coffee for events to hosting a charity event with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.
“It has been an honor to support the Clarksville community and work with specific individuals through both Black Rifle Coffee Co. and the BRCC Fund to make a meaningful impact,” Nielsen says. “The response has been incredibly meaningful.”
If you’d like to learn more about the Greater Nashville region, check out the latest edition of the Nashville Economic Profile.
