To start your coffee brand in New Hampshire, move fast on formation, compliance, and go-to-market: file your LLC on NH QuickStart (often same-day), lock a roasting location zoned for light manufacturing, and register your roasting facility with the FDA, then build retail-ready packaging that meets 21 CFR 101 (principal display panel, ingredient list, net weight in oz and g, business name/address, roast date/best-by). Choose co-pack vs in-house: co-pack for speed and lower capex; in-house if you need tight profile control and margin. If roasting, plan ventilation, an afterburner if required by your fire marshal, calibrated scales (NH Weights & Measures), and one-way-valve bags with nitrogen flush; target water activity <0.60 and ship within 48 hours of roast. Price a 12-oz bag at $15–18 MSRP with ~40% retailer margin; keep COGS ≤ $6.50. Launch DTC first (NH has no sales tax), then wholesale to Market Basket, Hannaford, and local co-ops via Associated Grocers of New England; expect case packs of 6, GS1 barcodes, sell sheets, and lot traceability. Validate demand at farmers’ markets with a temporary sampling permit; brewed coffee triggers Meals & Rooms tax licensing. Build differentiation with SCA-calibrated profiles, transparent sourcing, and seasonal single-origins, plus repeatable, documented roasting SOPs.
