Gloria Jean Kvetko, the pioneering entrepreneur behind the globally recognized cafe chain Gloria Jean’s Coffee, has passed away at the age of 82 due to pneumonia. Kvetko, who began her journey in the coffee industry with her husband Edward in 1979, played a pivotal role in transforming the U.S. coffee landscape. Launching her first shop, Gloria Jean’s Coffee Bean, during an era when American coffee culture was shifting, she introduced flavored coffees that quickly became a hit. Her brand’s unique dessert-style offerings, such as caramel nut and chocolate raspberry, provided a stark contrast to the bland, instant coffee that dominated the market at the time. By the mid-1980s, she had expanded her brand into shopping malls and began franchising, eventually overseeing more than 220 locations nationwide. Gloria Jean’s Coffee also made a significant international impact, particularly in Australia. Despite the brand changing ownership multiple times, Kvetko’s legacy endures through the current 41 U.S. locations. Known for her boundless energy, Kvetko leaves behind a family that includes two sons, two grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held on June 28 in Arlington Heights.
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