Thump + Backporch = No Downside

The coffee scene in Central Oregon has long been pretty remarkable. From the early days of Sunriver Coffee Company, Bellatazza and Strictly Organic, to insanely good newer roasters like Megaphone, Still Vibrato, Bohemian Roastery and Junction Roastery, to local stalwarts like Lone Pine Coffee Roasters, Watershed Roasters and Sisters Coffee Company, to amazing drive-thru’s like Perk Avenue Coffee, Brewed Awakenings Coffee Roasters and Porchlight Coffee Company, Bend and its environs have been ahead of most of the rest of the state in quality of its roasts and houses.

Two of the behemoths of the local coffee scene are Thump Coffee and Backporch Coffee Roasters, whose forward thinking and innovative roasts have been beloved in Bend for years. Beginning Jan. 1, the two roasters merged into TBC Coffee.

I reached out to Bobby Grover, the owner of Thump Coffee and Dave Beach, owner and operator of Backporch Coffee, to ask about the merger and how it would effect Thump and Backporch moving forward.

the Source: So, how will the merger affect Thump?

Bobby Grover: At its core, this merger strengthens Thump rather than changes it. Thump remains Thump, same ownership majority, same leadership, same values, same focus on craft. What changes is our capacity. By combining forces with Backporch, we gain shared infrastructure, deeper talent, and more stability behind the scenes. That allows us to invest more confidently in people, quality, and long-term projects without compromising what made Thump special in the first place

Dave Beach: This merger strengthens every department of both brands, ensuring long-term stability and allowing us to thrive by focusing on every facet of the company. Having the resources to place the right people in the right roles allows us to move forward with great confidence.

tS: I’ve always found Bend to be ahead of most of the state when it comes to roasters and coffee houses really moving coffee into new and adventurous places. Is that something you have noticed as well or would you like to see the coffee culture in Bend shift in any specific direction?

BG: Bend has always punched above its weight when it comes to coffee, I agree with you there. There’s a real appetite here for quality, experimentation, and authenticity, and customers are informed and curious. That’s rare and it’s something we’ve benefited from. What I’d love to see continue is a culture that values depth and people over trends. Craftsmanship and businesses that are rooted here for the long haul. The goal isn’t to be louder, but better. Action will answer many questions.

tS: What will change, what will stay the same at Thump and Backporch?

BG: People can expect to see more intentional growth. Better systems, improved training, and more consistency across what we offer, without losing the human feel of our cafes. We’ll have more room to experiment thoughtfully with coffee, food, and experience. What will not change is our commitment to quality, hospitality, and being a place people feel connected to. We’re not chasing scale for scale’s sake

DB: Customers can expect better-managed systems, more thorough training, an internal food program, and additional staff resources. Our core values remain unchanged: we will continue to prize every human who walks through our doors and maintain the same high-quality coffee we have focused on for 20 years.

tS: Is there anything you both would like to add?

BG: This wasn’t a financial play, it was a most values aligned one. Both companies care deeply about craft, people, and community. The hope is that by coming together, we create something more resilient that serves Bend well for decades, not just the next few years.

DB: This merger has been a long time coming. Bobby and I share nearly 20 years of friendship and business discussions. Although we have been running competitive businesses, we have always worked together. This merger is the culmination of years of trusted hard work between both Thump and Backporch.

This article appears in the Source January 15, 2026.