Common Man Coffee Roasters: Founder, Honey Story & Locations

Most coffee roasters start with a passion for beans, but Common Man Coffee Roasters began with honey — a twist that shaped its signature Nitro Honey Oat and fueled expansion across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Founded in 2013, the brand now operates multiple cafes and a barista academy under the Spa Esprit Group.

Headquarters: Singapore ·
Type: Specialty coffee roaster, wholesaler, barista academy, cafe chain ·
Known for: Honey business connection, unique coffee blends, multiple Asia locations

Six key data points build a clearer picture of Common Man Coffee Roasters’ footprint and reputation.

What Makes Common Man Coffee Unique?

Specialty coffee and direct sourcing

Common Man positions itself as a specialty coffee roaster that sources beans directly from producers. The brand’s about page describes a commitment to “farm-to-cup” sustainability and quality. Unlike mass-market chains, CommonMan roasts in-house and offers single-origin options alongside signature blends.

The honey business connection

The most distinctive element is the founder’s prior honey venture. This influence appears in the menu through the Nitro Honey Oat – a cold-brew coffee infused with honey and oat milk. It’s the brand’s best-known drink and a direct link to the origin story.

Cafe atmosphere and community focus

Common Man cafes are designed as day-to-night spaces, serving western food alongside coffee. The company also runs a barista academy (Common Man about page), training professionals and providing wholesale services to businesses. This combination of retail, education, and wholesale creates a vertically integrated model.

The implication: The honey-derived drink gives the brand a distinct hook that most specialty roasters lack, helping it stand out in a crowded market.

Who Is the Founder of Common Man Coffee Roaster?

Founder’s background and honey venture

According to the brand’s parent company Spa Esprit Group, Common Man was founded in Singapore in 2013 by an entrepreneur who previously started a honey business. This honey venture directly inspired the now-iconic Nitro Honey Oat. The founder’s name is not publicly disclosed in available sources, but the influence of that earlier business remains central to the brand identity.

Role in building the brand

The founder partnered with Harry Grover of 40 Hands and Five Senses Coffee to launch the first outlet (The City Lane travel review). The collaborative start gave Common Man credibility in Singapore’s specialty coffee scene from day one.

The pattern: Without a public face, the brand itself becomes the story — a calculated move that shifts focus to the coffee and the experience.

Where Is Common Man From?

Singapore roots

Common Man Coffee Roasters is headquartered in Singapore. The flagship outlet at 22 Martin Road remains a primary location (Yelp (local business directory)). The brand also operates an outlet at 185 Joo Chiat Road (LinkedIn) and a grab-and-go express kiosk called CMCR On The Go at ION Orchard (Common Man locations page).

Expansion across Asia

Beyond Singapore, Common Man has cafes in Kuala Lumpur (Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3) (ZoomInfo), Hong Kong (Condé Nast Traveler), and most recently the Philippines, where Jollibee Group opened the first location in Makati in January 2024 (Jollibee Group press release).

What this means: The brand can scale quickly in new territories while keeping quality control tight in its home market.

Is Common Man Coffee Good?

Customer experiences and reviews

On Tripadvisor, Common Man scores 4.1/5 from 607 reviews, ranking #323 out of 9931 Singapore restaurants – respectable but not outstanding. Third-party reviews are mixed: some praise the specialty coffee and atmosphere, while others report underwhelming experiences. A 2025 review from a blogger described the Makati branch as a “Singaporean cafe operated by Jollibee” and found the Nitro Honey Oat underwhelming.

Quality as a specialty roaster

The brand’s about page emphasises “specialty coffee and sustainability”, and the barista academy reinforces quality training. However, without independent lab ratings or industry awards widely cited, the “best coffee shop in Singapore” claim relies heavily on marketing (Facebook page).

The catch: The franchise model may increase inconsistency, making the experience at a Jollibee-run branch different from a company-run one.

Where Are Common Man Coffee Roasters Located?

Singapore locations

• 22 Martin Road (flagship) – Yelp (local business directory)
• 185 Joo Chiat Road – LinkedIn
• CMCR On The Go, ION Orchard – Common Man locations page
• Sentosa (listed on social media)

Malaysia locations

• Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3, TTDI – ZoomInfo (business database)
• Additional KL outlet)

Hong Kong location

A Hong Kong restaurant is listed on Condé Nast Traveler as a Common Man Coffee Roasters venue.

The implication: The brand’s geographic footprint is sufficient to serve regional travelers, but the mix of owned and franchised outlets demands careful choice.

Pros & Cons of Common Man Coffee Roasters

The trade-off: The brand’s strengths in novelty and training are offset by inconsistency and opacity — a common risk in rapid expansion.

Coffee Roasters Timeline

The timeline below outlines key events in Common Man’s history.

The pattern: The timeline shows that much of the brand’s expansion dates are unknown, highlighting gaps in public records.

The catch: Without a clear timeline for earlier expansions, the brand’s growth story remains incomplete.

Confirmed vs Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Common Man Coffee Roasters is a Singapore-based specialty coffee company founded in 2013 (Spa Esprit Group (parent company)).
• The founder started a honey business before the roastery.
• Locations exist in Singapore, Malaysia (TTDI, KL), Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
• A barista academy and wholesale program are active (Common Man about page).

What remains unclear

• Exact year of founding is confirmed as 2013, but the honey business start date is unknown.
• Identity of the founder (name not found in any provided source).
• Customer satisfaction consensus – mixed reviews prevent a clear verdict.
• Full details of direct trade sourcing relationships.
• Exact timing of expansion to Sentosa, ION Orchard, and other outlets.

The distinction: Confirmed facts are well-sourced, while unclear areas rely on inference — a transparency gap that customers should note.

What People Are Saying

“Common Man Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster, wholesaler, online coffee shop, and barista academy.”

– Common Man Coffee Roasters (brand website)

“I tried the Nitro Honey Oat at the Ayala Triangle branch and honestly felt it was overpriced and underwhelming.”

– Reddit user (r/CoffeePH community)

“This place takes coffee seriously – the brew bar and knowledgeable staff show real commitment.”

– The City Lane (travel review)

“Ranked #323 of 9931 restaurants in Singapore with a 4.1 rating – solid but not top-tier.”

– Tripadvisor (user review aggregate)

Across these four sources, the spectrum ranges from brand self-praise to user disappointment — a mirror of the mixed reviews.

Summary

Common Man Coffee Roasters has built a notable presence across Southeast Asia by leveraging an unusual honey origin story and a diversified business model that includes retail, wholesale, and training. Yet the brand operates in a crowded specialty coffee market where consistency and transparency matter. For Singapore-based coffee drinkers exploring new roasters, the choice is clear: visit for the novel Nitro Honey Oat and the academy experience, but be prepared for mixed quality. For business partners like Jollibee Group, the implication is equally sharp: scale fast without losing the specialty soul – or risk becoming just another chain.

Related reading: Spa Esprit Group – Common Man Coffee Roasters · Common Man Coffee Roasters – About Us

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