Meet Wendy Madden, founder of Santos Coffee with origins from her Guatemalan family farm
Wendy Madden, CEO of Santos Coffee, has influenced Alabama's coffee culture with her franchise that began with beans from her family's farm in Guatemala.
Born and raised in Guatemala, Madden opened Tuscaloosa's Crimson Cafe in 1993, one of the area's first coffee shops, which closed in 2009.
Ten years later, Madden and her sister founded Santos Coffee, which continues to expand across central Alabama.
"We had this, you know, instant connection to coffee. And so that's what we started doing, just selling coffee from Guatemala," Madden said.
Madden explained the name Santos Coffee: "So Santos means saints and it's based on the names of our farms, which is Saint Margaret, Saint Anthony and Saint Nicholas."
Santos Coffee has multiple locations throughout Jefferson County, maintaining its connection to its Guatemalan origins.
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, WVTM 13 is recognizing Alabamians who broke barriers and are raising the bar for everyone. Stay with us as we honor and celebrate "Hispanic Heritage Moments."
