Founded in 2002, Blue Bottle Coffee has developed a network of cafés across the United States, Japan, and South Korea—minimalist oases for urbanites who need a caffeine fix. Initially, there were only a small number, with different plans and a range of aesthetics. In 2016, the company was ready to expand its U.S. operations and engaged Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ) to apply a more rigorous approach to the overall café design, with codified specifications and functional layouts and more predictable schedules and budgets.