You've been hearing a lot about "Peetniks" lately. Where did that name come from?

The original Peetniks were loyal customers at our original store on Vine Street, in Berkeley. They came for their morning coffee every day, and christened themselves "Peetniks". Eventually, the term evolved to mean a Peet's employee.

According to Peet's 25th Anniversary history book, the term "Peetnik" was coined by a Berkeley police officer, after the word "beatnik", to describe the coffee lovers who gathered to talk and drink their brew at the corner of Walnut and Vine. The group even had t-shirts (coffee brown, of course) printed to memorialize the term.

"Peetniks" has undergone another evolution. Peetniks are members of the Peetniks loyalty program - faithful Peet's customers who appreciate, even demand, only the very best in coffee and tea. Peetniks are as passionate about our products as we are, and that loyalty deserves to be recognized, even celebrated. So, for those customers with active recurring orders, we're pleased to offer a set of exclusive benefits as a reward for their devotion to Peet's. Click here to learn more about joining Peetniks.