After Jones and his partners sold their 22 pizza shops following 22 successful years, he poured his passion into coffee – creating a local favorite that gives back with every cup (and a bean on top!).
Having spent decades as an operating partner and a part-owner of pizza franchises across multiple states, Glenn Jones could have easily retired. Instead, he traded pepperoni and dough for the smell of fresh coffee beans and specialty coffees – channeling his lifelong dream into The Human Bean, a coffee shop he opened in Pasadena in 2023 where caffeine and kindness flow in equal measure.
“I’ve always wanted to own a coffee shop,” he said, his voice carrying the kind of ease that only comes from doing what you love. After Jones and his business partners sold their 22 Papa John’s Pizza franchises in 2019, he began exploring his options with his business partner of 44 years and stumbled upon The Human Bean, a drive-thru coffee franchise based in Medford, Oregon. “I reached out to the folks at the Human Bean and both sides liked what each had to say, so off we went,” he explained. “They wanted to grow on the east coast, and I knew I could help with that.”
Then came 2020 – and the pandemic. Like many entrepreneurs, Jones and his partner had to press pause. But when the world opened back up, his plans did too. Having lived in Pasadena for years, he already had his eye on a corner lot in Riviera Beach – a once rundown space that he envisioned as something much more. After a year of negotiations and months of construction, The Human Bean in Pasadena officially opened on May 1, 2023.
Today, the shop buzzes with steady energy – cars lining up in the morning rush, baristas smiling through the drive-through and walk-up windows, the scent of fresh-ground beans drifting through the air. It’s a scene built on intention. “Everything we brew starts with fresh roasted coffee beans,” Jones emphasized. “Our beans are roasted the day we order them from The Human Bean, and we grind them fresh each and every morning.”
His attention to detail shows in every sip, whether it’s a black coffee, a real fruit smoothie, one of the many specialty drinks they offer, or one of the vibrant energy drinks that have quickly become customer favorites. “Don’t forget our breakfast or lunch sandwiches – both are available from open to close. Our spicy jalapeno biscuit with sausage, egg and cheese is really something, and from what our customers tell us, it’s the real deal,” he exclaimed.
Despite being part of a national chain, this Human Bean feels distinctly local. It’s the only location in Maryland, and Jones has made sure it reflects the heart of Pasadena. “We’re locally owned and very community involved,” he said. “You’ve got to help the folks in your community if you want them to help you stay in business.” That philosophy shows in everything from the hundreds of free drink coupons he’s handed out to local teachers, to the shop’s partnerships with neighboring schools, churches, and other small businesses in the community. Jones mentioned several other fundraisers he has had at the store, including a “Donation Day” once a year or more to Caring Cupboard and the church food bank, 10 percent of sales to St. Judes, and countless donations to community activities. “I’ve lost count,” he said.
“I am a big supporter of the special needs community,” Jones mentioned. “I have a special-needs stepdaughter, who I love dearly. She is such a sweetheart. I try to do what I can, where I can, to help support them. I wish I could do more,” he said.
In 2023, when Jones learned that the special needs students at Northeast High School could no longer sell coffee to the teachers in the morning to raise funds, he stepped in to help. Every morning, he donated a gallon of coffee – along with cups, creamer, and all the necessities – for the entire school year, to put on their cart and sell to the teachers. He even supplied each of them their own barista aprons to wear. “After a week or two, they needed two or three gallons, which I discounted. For whatever reason, the program is not active this year. I hope the school will once again allow the students to do this again in the future. It’s a way for them to earn much needed funds as well as learn important social and business skills. Plus, they enjoy it.”
This past October 18th, The Human Bean donated 100 percent of the day’s sales to For Three Sisters, a Maryland-based nonprofit that supports breast cancer patients. The fundraiser, now in its third year locally and 20th nationwide, continues to grow thanks to loyal customers who show up in droves. “It’s incredible,” Jones said. “The turnout we get on any of our donation days – it makes you proud.” He has also hosted a spring and fall pet adoption day event with the locally operated Rise Above Animal Rescue, leading to several dozen animals finding forever homes.
Inside the drive-thru, his team of 22 employees keeps things running smoothly. Jones credits much of his success to them. “Our staff makes or breaks the business,” he said. “You can have a great product, but if the person handing it out isn’t pleasant, it ruins the experience.” Each new hire goes through an extensive 40-hour training process led by a full-time training manager. “We want every customer to feel good when they pull up to our window,” he said. “Listen, times are tough, and we appreciate you stopping to spend your hard-earned money with us.”
That personal touch extends to the customers, many of whom have become like family. “We have so many regulars,” Jones said. “We know them by name and by drink. They are big supporters of ours and they help to promote us, which is much appreciated.”
Even after decades in business, Jones says he still feels the same excitement he did on day one. “This is a love affair for me,” he said. “It gives me purpose. I could retire now, but I am enjoying this too much. I work side by side with my staff, and people see me here every day. I think they appreciate that. I love to interact when I can with our customers.”
When he’s not at the shop, Jones enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, attending concerts or having a great dinner out with friends – a reminder that even busy entrepreneurs need time to unwind. But ask him about the future, and it’s clear his entrepreneurial spark is still going strong. “We’d love to see more Human Bean locations in Maryland,” he said. “Whether it’s me or someone else, I’m happy to help guide them.”
As for his own order? “Black coffee,” he said with a grin. “I do love our other drinks, and the staff will make up something and say, ‘hey Glenn, try this!’ I love it when a customer requests something different. We will say, we have a whole lot of secret drinks and crazy names that we can make for you. You would be really surprised. So next time, ask one of the baristas for a secret drink idea. Trust me, they are really excited to tell you some of the options.”
Jones added that they carry a lot of sugar-free flavored syrup, and customers have raved about them. “Right now, we have over 15 different sugar-free options, and we sell pumpkin drinks year-round,” he added.
Three or four cups a day of coffee and he still doesn’t get tired of it. Maybe that’s because for Glenn Jones, every cup he pours is more than just coffee – it’s community in a cup (with a bean on top!).
Don’t forget to download the Human Bean app and start earning beans today.
Follow The Human Bean in Pasadena on their social media pages:
Facebook: @thehumanbeanpasadena
Instagram: @thehumanbeanpasadenmd
The Human Bean is located at 8553 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena. They are open Mondays – Saturdays 5:30am – 7:00pm, and Sundays 6:00am – 7:00pm. For a full menu of the shop’s hot and cold drinks, and breakfast and lunch items, visit www.thehumanbean.com.
