Black Rock Coffee Bar CEO Mark Davis Named 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Pacific Southwest Finalist
April 29 - 2026
Coffee Geography Magazine
Mark Davis, CEO of Black Rock Coffee Bar, has been recognized as a finalist for the 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Pacific Southwest Award, issued by Ernst & Young LLP. The honor comes during a landmark year for the company, which completed its initial public offering in 2025 under Davis's leadership.
Now in its 41st year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates leaders who build high-growth businesses, drive innovation, and create long-term value for employees, customers, and communities. Davis was selected by an independent panel of judges based on his leadership, entrepreneurial vision, commitment to sustained growth, and the company's financial performance.
"I'm honored to be named a finalist for EY Entrepreneur Of the Year in the Pacific Southwest alongside such an inspiring group of leaders," Davis said. "Recognition like this extends beyond me to the entire Black Rock team. I'm proud that as we've expanded into more communities, we've protected our culture and strengthened our purpose to deliver meaningful experiences for our guests."
Davis joined Black Rock Coffee Bar as CEO in 2023, leading brand strategy and operational initiatives to support the company's next phase of growth while reinforcing its cultural foundation. Founded in 2008 as a family-owned drive-thru coffee stand in Oregon, Black Rock has grown to over 180 retail locations across seven states. The chain is known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies, and flavorful Fuel® energy drinks, pairing convenient drive-thru formats with modern café spaces and a barista-first culture.
In 2025, Davis led the company through a successful initial public offering that raised nearly $300 million.That same year,Black Rock reported total revenue of $300million.That same year, Black Rock reported total revenue of $200.3 million, a 24.5% increase from the prior year. By focusing on exceptional guest experiences, a people-driven culture, and a sustainable expansion strategy, the company opened 32 new locations and achieved same-store sales growth of 10.1%.
Under Davis's leadership, Black Rock Coffee Bar is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy targeting approximately 20% annual new unit growth and more than 20% long-term revenue growth.
This year's Pacific Southwest finalists represent Southern California—including San Diego and Orange County—as well as Arizona and Nevada, spanning a range of industries. Regional award winners will be announced June 6, 2026, during a celebration in Orange County. Winners will become lifetime members of the Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni community and advance for consideration in the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, presented in November at EY's Strategic Growth Forum®.
Founded in 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries leading successful, dynamic businesses in the U.S., and has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally. The national overall winner represents the United States at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year® competition.