barista

manager

shift leader

general manager

cashier

7Brew Coffee

Working at 7 Brew was awesome when it first launched it’s locations here in Indiana. However, due to poor management by 7Venture, a franchisee of the company, it very quickly became a nightmare. $52K salary broken down by a required 50 hours a week equating to $20/hr. Quarterly bonuses are earned on a scaled system based on labor, food cost, sales, and customer feedback. However, the scale is based off of an unrealistic budget, especially for new stores as upper management basically just guesses, giving you no opportunity to bonus if they are wrong on their estimates. Bonuses also are withheld for 7+ weeks after the quarter ends with no transparency as to when they will be paid out. 10 hour days consumed by pointless busy work and unrealistic expectations. You may expect to laugh and have fun with your coworkers or employees on the daily, but any leisure and fun is generally cancelled out by the lack of value this company gives its employees. I learned plenty at 7 Brew in regards to accountability for staffing, scheduling, and product inventory. From upper management, you can expect nepotism and poor decision making as well as disrespect of your time. You may be expected to work 55+ hours weekly and you will be told “sometimes you just have to” while minimal attempts to help you are made by upper management. They consistently place unprepared individuals in management roles resulting in a total lack of productivity and eventual burnout for many employees. This company puts a big emphasis on “culture,” priding themselves on their genuine interactions with customers. You may be expected to spend unreasonable and uninterrupted amounts of time outside in extreme weather conditions, such as heat and cold as well as hail and tornado advisories in order to achieve this shallow goal of promoting genuine interactions. You may be lucky and get a great team to have your back, but you may also walk into a harmful and toxic work environment driven by cliques of rude and arrogant people who claim to “cultivate kindness.” The hardest part of the job? Too many to detail. I was being forced to work 10 hour days while sick with COVID. I consistently worked 55-60 hour weeks diminishing my salary but was told that it’s my fault that I was not staffing properly, despite the company repetitiously lowering employee wages resulting in a general disinterest from applicants. I was constantly undermined by district management while little to no praise was given when accomplishments and milestones were achieved. I watched as the company shifted to accommodate to nepotistic values of upper management. I was constantly told conflicting information from upper management resulting in overall confusion on all levels of operations. The best part of the job? The people. Knowing that I could be there for the amazing people I employed while still challenging them to be excellent baristas was an honor that truly touched my heart as a young general manager. 

Basically, just avoid it. It might be fun for a month or two but it WILL fade. 

The company's representation of compensation is misleading, as they advertise a higher hourly wage of $15 to $17 but actually pay their employees a mere $11 per hour, relying heavily on tips to supplement income. This approach places the burden on customers rather than responsibly remunerating their workforce.

Regrettably, the management displays little concern for the well-being of their employees, evidenced by their insistence on outdoor work in sweltering 100F temperatures without adequate breaks. Meanwhile, shift leads enjoy the comfort of working indoors, showing a lack of consideration for the health and safety of their staff. The company's disregard for employee welfare is further exemplified by the expectation to work outdoors during dangerous weather conditions, posing significant risks to their personal safety.

Furthermore, the work environment is plagued by numerous accidents, such as burns, cuts, and falls, primarily due to the undue pressure to prepare drinks rapidly during peak hours. Such conditions foster an unsafe workplace, which is the responsibility of the company to address and rectify.

Favoritism among the management is prevalent, as certain employees receive preferential treatment, often being assigned more desirable roles, while others are burdened with excessive workloads. This inequitable treatment creates an unbalanced and unfavorable work environment, negatively impacting employee morale and job satisfaction.

Moreover, the company exhibits an alarming lack of consistency in enforcing rules and policies, particularly in regards to punctuality. While strict penalties are imposed on employees arriving just a minute late, those with personal connections to the shift leads seem to be exempt from consequences, even when arriving two hours late. This disparity in treatment further erodes trust and respect for the management.

The pervasive practice of blaring loud music at the workplace poses a challenge for employees to take accurate orders and results in customer dissatisfaction. The company should recognize the importance of maintaining a conducive environment for efficient service and customer interactions.

Tragically, the company's employees endure harassment from customers, with the company failing to address and prevent such incidents. This failure to protect employees from harassment reflects a serious lack of commitment to fostering a safe and respectful work environment.

Additionally, the remuneration offered by 7 Brew falls considerably short of the standard starting pay at most local coffee shops. This practice takes advantage of the predominantly young workforce, paying them inadequately while expecting them to endure unsafe working conditions.

In light of the numerous concerns raised, I strongly advise against seeking employment at 7 Brew. The company's practices demonstrate a lack of regard for employee well-being, fair treatment, and respect, creating an unsatisfactory and potentially hazardous work environment.

I worked as a Manager in Training (MIT) at 7 Brew Coffee and believe there are a few important factors prospective applicants should understand before applying.

First, MITs are not salaried until they are placed in their own location, which may take a significant amount of time unless you are open to relocating. Until then, compensation is hourly (minimum wage) plus tips, which can be inconsistent.

The workplace culture can be challenging at times, with noticeable favoritism and social dynamics that may influence day-to-day experiences. The team is largely very young, which can contribute to a high school–like environment with occasional drama and gossip.

Although the role is intended to prepare you for management, the position begins primarily as a barista. For much of the training period, you perform standard barista duties and may not receive management-focused training until later stages, which can feel like a step back for those with prior professional experience. Especially because the people instructing you are generally very young and inexperienced in professionalism. 

Training quality can vary significantly depending on the manager you are assigned to. Since managers are not formally trained as instructors, teaching styles may differ, and some trainees may find the environment high-pressure, especially given the strong emphasis on speed and wait times.

Expectations are not always clearly defined or consistent, which can make it difficult to understand performance standards. Additionally, compensation transparency could be improved, as reported earnings may differ from what is advertised.

Overall, this role may be a good fit for students or those seeking a fast-paced, tip-based environment. However, individuals with significant financial responsibilities or seeking stable, clearly structured management training may want to carefully consider whether this position aligns with their needs.

Overall a nice place to work with a pretty inspiring culture! I’ve worked for another very similar company that is their biggest competitor and 7 Brew definitely out does them on culture and overall vibes. I also like the drinks way better. Main issue with 7 Brew is that it seems a little bit cliquey and almost as if all the people who are able to benefit from the “amazing growth opportunities” they advertise are those who are “buddied up” with the people in high places or those who are willing to bend over backwards all the time, and basically kiss up to them. This is the case even with employees that blatantly don’t follow the rules and make questionable decisions that could definitely taint the companies image which is a big no-no @7B. They also pool cash tips not just within your shift but throughout the whole day, which I don’t really think is fair but thats just me. They have a policy of sorts in place that makes it so that positions are switched out at some point during the shift so that nobody’s outside the entire time but it’s pretty loosely followed which they don’t really tell you when they hire you. They will stay open despite the most ridiculous weather conditions, so definitely keep that in mind if you live somewhere where it blizzards or storms because chances are there will be a shift in which you end up outside all day. Lastly, if you go to management with a genuine issue regarding another worker or unnecessary drama in the workplace, chances are it’ll be swept under the rug.
Pros
Meet great people that become more than just coworkers or custies, tips can be good if the shift is slammed, pretty good about giving you hours if business is good

Cons
Cliquey, weird tip distribution, passive aggressive management, growth isn’t as attainable as they advertise

Some ballers were very rude, one even giving us a "drink" consisting of "every drink order (a group of about 5 people, including myself) took incorrectly" during training. I threw up  and felt ill the rest of the day as it was a mixture of seltzer water, energy drinks, coffee, and different MILKS, from HOURS before. A typical day at work ranged from weekend lines from the store to the highway, which was very stressful. You have to make each drink in under 3 minutes, even in these scenarios in which people will take every order down the line, being completely unrealistic. I did enjoy the customer service part of the job, as I met many wonderful people and got to have great conversations and felt a sense of community. A downside to this, is sometimes the conversation would only be about 30 seconds, or being instructed to take other orders while mid conversation (despite the role being at the register, instead of taking all orders), so it would be difficult to make a connection. Weekdays often had 30 minute gaps in between customers, and people would be cut early multiple days a week. The management liked to pick favorites, and were dishonest and led staff on regarding promotions. Some shift leads would often tell staff to complete daily tasks and work, while they sat around eating or on their phone. I was trained about 5 different ways how to count a cash register, and other shift leads were not taught at all, leaving me to train multiple coworkers, which was not my role at the time. Ipads would over heat in summer heat nearly every 10 minutes. Had to stand outside even in the snow with 0 customers, and weather warnings to stay home. Everyone talked behind everyone's back, including the adult management.  I would not reccomend this job to anyone.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The salary was good but they expected you to drive your own car within 5 hours of your home. You get a credit card for food and gas.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
You are at the whem of the millionaire owner that is a weirdo and never appreciates anything you do because he can do it better. The upper management asks you questions that they know the answers to make sure you are not lying. In store management think you are maintenance man to fix all their problems even though there are plumbers and electricians they could call. All calls don’t end at end of day and are on weekends at all hours. The owner will even call you anytime day or night.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work culture is that people think they are better than you because the people that are upper management is percentage owners and your a lowly manager.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
You drive to site and have a call meeting by 7:30 a.m. and answer their questions and tell them about the expectations of the day. By mid morning you have talked to the owner and director unless it’s Friday. Never able to take a lunch because you have to answer the phone they issue you and the calls are by FaceTime because the owner doesn’t trust you to be on site and if your in bathroom he keeps calling you. By end of day you have to submit a report of the day with pictures even though you have talked to upper management a couple times a day. And you better not leave before 4:30 not 4:29 and that was told to me over the phone several times.

DO NOT WORK HERE OR WITH 7Brew.
-The job itself is easy to learn and the customers are generally enjoyable. The biggest problem is management. Favoritism, inconsistent accountability, gossip, passive-aggressive behavior, and poor communication create an unhealthy work environment.
-One of the biggest frustrations was how employee concerns were handled. During the winter months, staff repeatedly raised concerns about working conditions and safety. Issues involving extreme cold, heating, winter equipment, and support for employees working outside were ongoing topics of discussion. Employees often felt that concerns had to be raised multiple times before receiving attention, creating the impression that operational goals were prioritized over employee well-being.
-Leadership expectations are not applied equally, advancement decisions are not always transparent, and employees are often left guessing where they stand. The company promotes a culture of kindness and support, but the reality can feel very different behind the scenes.
-There is a reason turnover is so high. Management would much rather replace hard workers who voice concerns and stand up for injustices than work through the proven issues. I have seen over 20 people come and go during my employment. Unless significant changes are made to leadership and accountability, I would not recommend working here.

When I initially began working here, I was really excited by the nontraditional buisness model and the encouragement to have fun and be engaging with customers, but after I'd been there a while things really started to go downhill. All work related info is delivered through a group chat that is constantly messaging 24 hours a day, and you were expected to read through all of it in case something important was stated. If anyone made a mistake they would always make a PSA about it in the chat instead of ever having one-on-one conversations, which felt like they were making a spectacle out of it rather than encouraging people to improve. There was no professionalism between the managers, as they all had favorites and were sometimes blatantly unkind towards their least favorites. The upper management encouraged gossipy behavior. The regional management began trying to enforce productivity guidelines that both cut everyone's hours, but also made what hours you did get nightmarish because you were understaffed. The training was all done by teenagers fresh out of high school who had no concept of how to teach anyone anything. You don't get breaks, and on night shift you're usually so busy that it's nearly impossible to even go to the bathroom. I could probably go on, but to summarize; no work/life balance, unprofessional, often underpaid, and almost entirely run by teenagers that don't know how bad their job is.

I worked at a 7brew opening a stand and was appalled at the things they wrote people up for. Get ready for ridicule if you’re outside and nearly pass out due to overheating/exhaustion. I've watched people pass out from heat exhaustion and being forced to continue working outside in 100 degree heat. I have also witnessed employees throwing up and being told to get back outside. Hiring process feels very fake in hindsight. They do not care about workers and over hire for stand opening, then they will fire you if you are a minute late because they need to dwindle down numbers. Very easy to feel left out here as well as they only choose a select few at stand opening to focus on and the rest are thrown to the side to figure it out for themselves. You have to pass a 100 question exam in order to be inside making drinks and as I said before they only pick a select few that they deem "worthy" of actual training. The management will have you outside for hours at a time with no breaks. You have to put your phone in an over the door shoe holder the moment you clock in but the ballers (trainers) will sit on their phones the entire shift. Pay wasn't transparent and we had to work over a month without a paycheck.

I worked here for 2yrs and when things were good it was FANTASTIC! never planned on leaving, however, the franchising aspect of this company will be its downfall. Once old management in the franchise I worked for was swept out the people who came in ruined everything great about it. A job where the employees made it the experience that set 7brew aside from other coffee places was amazing! However fleeting it was. new management took over and people are now a commodity and numbers are king. They don’t care about cultivating kindness, they care about profits and losses. If you do not work for that franchise 7brew consider yourself blessed. They are selfish and don’t care about your own goals in the company. If you are applying ask who owns your franchise because it will make all the difference. If you are applying for any other franchise it’s so fun and fulfilling and work doesn’t feel like work! Truly my time at 7brew formed me into a great leader and I learned a lot about business being in a leadership role. Your time will be what you make it, if you want something out of it put in the work and reap the rewards. If you don’t plan on drinking the koolaid this might not be the place for you, buy into the brand and you’ll have so much fun! but if being outgoing and kind isn’t your thing you won’t enjoy it. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Barista 308 salaries reported	$16.85 per hour
Manager 92 salaries reported	$59,185 per year
Shift leader 5 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
General manager 5 salaries reported	$77,500 per year
Cashier 2 salaries reported	$57,500 per year

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