Seattle chain looks to become Hooters of coffee shops

Sex sells. Now, a Seattle-based company is looking to see if it sells coffee in Phoenix.

Baristas Coffee Co. Inc. (OTCPK:BCCI) is expanding into the Phoenix market with plans to open five drive-through coffee bars in the Valley early next year.

Baristas features female servers in sexy costumes. CEO Barry Henthorn said the baristas will wear a variety of costumes, including nurses, cheerleaders and bumblebees.

"It won't be anything you wouldn't see on NFL Sundays," he said, referring to National Football League cheeerleaders.

The Seattle company's business model is the coffee-shop equivalent to Tilted Kilt, Hooters and other restaurants and bars featuring scantily clad, attractive young waitresses. Click on the pictures to the right for a slide show on Baristas.

Henthorn wouldn't say which locations the Seattle outfit will be landing at in the Valley, but he did confirm there will be coffee bars in Scottsdale and Phoenix. The first is slated to open in February, and the rest by the end of March.

Baristas is teaming with DCB Management Group LLC to open the local stores.

Baristas already has locations in Seattle and San Antonio, and is expanding into the Tampa, Fla., market.

"We look forward growing our footprint in this region and are very proud of the accomplishments of the growing Baristas team," Henthorn said.

The expansion plans would make Phoenix the company's second-largest market.

Baristas will compete with the Starbucks Coffee Co., McDonald's, Dutch Brothers Coffee, local independent cafes and others in the coffee marketplace.

Mike Sunnucks writes about politics, law, airlines, sports business and the economy.

Mike Sunnucks writes about politics, law, airlines, sports business and the economy.