Why did Blue Bottle resist going public?

Blue Bottle Coffee decided against going public for several reasons. James Freeman, the founder, and Brian Meehan, the CEO, were vocal about their preference to stay private, believing that going public did not align with the company's mission or long-term vision. They found that public company pressures and the necessity to prioritize quarterly financial results could compromise the quality and ethos of Blue Bottle's offerings 1 2.

However, the founders faced significant tension from investors who expected liquidity events, such as an IPO, to realize their returns. This conflict created a challenging dynamic, as the founders’ desire to maintain control and focus on their mission clashed with the investors' financial expectations 1.