Our Story

About Cup Source

Fueling the world's finest beverages since 2015. We are passionate about connecting businesses with premium drinkware solutions.

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Who We Are

From a Small Warehouse to a Global Supplier

Cup Source was founded in 2015 by a team of beverage industry veterans who saw a gap in the market: a wholesale supplier that truly understood the needs of coffee shops, restaurants, and food service businesses.

What started as a small operation in Portland, Oregon, has grown into a worldwide distribution network serving over 2,000 business clients across 35+ countries.

"We didn't just want to sell cups. We wanted to build a company that empowers the businesses behind every great cup of coffee."

β€” James Thornton, Co-Founder & CEO

Today, Cup Source operates three distribution centers, partners with 12 manufacturing facilities across Asia and North America, and maintains a team of over 200 employees who share a common passion: helping the world serve better beverages.

Our Values

The Principles That Guide Us

Every decision we make, from sourcing materials to shipping orders, is rooted in these core values.

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Sustainability First

Every product line is evaluated for its environmental impact. We prioritize recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable materials.

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Partnership Over Transactions

We build long-term relationships with every client. Your success is our success, and we measure it alongside yours.

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Uncompromising Quality

Every cup, bowl, and lid undergoes rigorous testing. We never sacrifice quality for cost β€” ever.

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Innovation Driven

From smart packaging designs to AI-powered inventory forecasting, we constantly push what's possible in drinkware.

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Community Impact

1% of every sale goes to environmental nonprofits. Over $2M donated since our founding.

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Radical Transparency

Full supply chain visibility, open pricing, and honest communication β€” always. No hidden fees, no surprises.

Our Journey

Key Milestones

A decade of growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our customers.

2015

Cup Source Founded

James Thornton and Maria Chen launch Cup Source from a 2,000 sq ft warehouse in Portland, OR with a curated catalog of 200 products.

2017

First International Expansion

Opened our second distribution center in Dallas, TX. Launched eco-friendly product line, reaching 500+ business clients.

2019

Custom Branding Division Launch

Introduced full-color custom printing services. Partnered with manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and Guatemala for expanded capacity.

2021

Pandemic-Proof Operations

Scaled to 5,000+ products. Achieved ISO 9001 certification. Launched same-day fulfillment for urgent orders.

2023

Global Presence

Expanded to Europe and Asia-Pacific. Over 2,000 active clients in 35+ countries. Carbon-neutral shipping commitment achieved.

2025

Today & Beyond

Continuing to innovate with AI-powered supply chain tools, biodegradable materials breakthroughs, and plans for 3 new regional hubs.

2,000+
Business Clients
35+
Countries Served
10,000+
Products Available
98%
Client Retention Rate
Leadership

Meet the Team

The people behind Cup Source β€” dedicated professionals driving our mission forward every day.

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James Thornton

Co-Founder & CEO

Former beverage supply chain executive with 18 years of industry experience. Leads company strategy and global expansion.

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Maria Chen

Co-Founder & COO

Operations genius who designed our distribution network from scratch. Holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

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Dr. Amir Patel

VP of Product & Innovation

Materials scientist leading our sustainable packaging R&D. Holds 12 patents in biodegradable materials.

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Lisa Nakamura

VP of Sales & Partnerships

Builds relationships with 2,000+ business clients. Previously led sales at Amazon Business.

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Ricardo Alvarez

Chief Design Officer

Creative visionary overseeing all custom branding and product design. Previously at IDEO and Pentagram.

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Purpose-Driven

Every task tied to our mission

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Continuous Learning

$5K annual education budget

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Caring Culture

Wellness, family, balance

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Celebrate Wins

Quarterly team celebrations

Company Culture

The Cup Source Way

We believe that great products start with a great team. Our culture is built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to making the beverage packaging industry a force for good.

  • Hybrid work model with flexible hours
  • 4-week paid time off for all employees
  • Annual profit-sharing program
  • Monthly team volunteering days
  • Open-door leadership policy
  • Internal innovation hackathons
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Global Reach

Serving the World, Locally

With three distribution centers and 12 manufacturing partners, we've built a supply chain that delivers fast β€” wherever you are.

Our regional teams ensure every client has dedicated support, local compliance, and culturally relevant product selections.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ North America πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί Europe πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ United Kingdom πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japan πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia πŸ‡§πŸ‡· South America
Find Your Region β†’
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Want to Join Our Mission?

We're always looking for talented, passionate people to join the Cup Source team. Explore open positions or learn more about our partnership opportunities.

View Open Positions β†’