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Evan Hafer

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Evan Hafer (born 1977) is an American entrepreneur, businessman, podcaster, and military veteran who founded Black Rifle Coffee Company (BRCC) in 2014. A former U.S. Army Green Beret with over twenty years of military service and subsequent work as a CIA contractor, Hafer built Black Rifle Coffee into one of the most recognized veteran-owned brands in America, taking the company public in 2022 with a valuation of approximately $1.7 billion.

Before founding Black Rifle Coffee, Hafer served fifteen years in special operations, including combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan during the War on Terror. His military career included service with the 19th Special Forces Group and extensive work as a contractor for the CIA, accumulating over forty combat rotations across multiple conflict zones. This military background became central to Black Rifle Coffee's brand identity and marketing strategy, positioning the company as a "veteran-founded, veteran-operated" business that appeals to conservative and military-adjacent consumers.

Under Hafer's leadership, Black Rifle Coffee expanded from a small online operation selling roasted coffee to a publicly traded company with nationwide wholesale distribution through retailers including Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, and Sam's Club, as well as a growing network of company-owned and franchised coffee shops called "Outposts." The company went public in February 2022 through a SPAC merger with SilverBox Engaged Merger Corp I, trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BRCC.

Hafer has been a prominent figure in veteran entrepreneurship and conservative media, appearing multiple times on The Joe Rogan Experience and hosting the Free Range America podcast. The company has faced controversies over its political positioning, including criticism for its response to being associated with Kyle Rittenhouse and debates over its veteran hiring pledge.

Early life and education

Childhood in Idaho

Evan Hafer was born in 1977 in Moscow, Idaho, a small college town in the northwestern part of the state. He was raised in a working-class family in Lewiston, Idaho, near the Washington border. His father, Ed Hafer, worked as a maintenance supervisor in the logging industry for most of his career, and the family's roots in the timber industry shaped Hafer's early years.[1]

Growing up in rural Idaho, Hafer experienced a childhood defined by outdoor work and traditional American values. His father maintained a strict household focused on responsibility and hard work, with limited time for leisure. Hafer's upbringing included hunting, fishing, and helping with family chores—experiences that instilled in him a connection to outdoor life and self-reliance that would later inform his business ventures and personal brand.[2]

When Hafer was sixteen years old, his father suffered a broken back while logging, an incident that had significant impact on the family. The injury highlighted the physical dangers of the logging profession and the precarious nature of working-class life in timber country. Despite these challenges, Hafer's father's work ethic and resilience became formative influences on his son's character.[3]

Hafer developed an early association between coffee and hardworking men through observing his father and maternal grandfather, both loggers, who would head off to work each morning with black coffee in heavy thermoses. This connection between coffee and masculine work culture would later become central to Black Rifle Coffee's brand identity and marketing approach.[2]

Education

Hafer graduated from Lewiston High School, where he began developing aspirations to serve in the military, specifically as a special operator. His interest in special forces was unusual for someone from his background and required significant dedication to achieve.[4]

After high school, Hafer attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he participated in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) with the Idaho National Guard. This program allowed him to serve in the Guard while attending college, providing a pathway toward his goal of becoming a Green Beret. Rather than completing the traditional ROTC Advanced Camp, Hafer chose to attend the first phase of the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), demonstrating his commitment to the special operations path.[4]

Hafer's time at the University of Idaho coincided with his early military training, and his education was intertwined with his pursuit of a special forces career. He completed his undergraduate studies in 1999 and immediately transitioned to active duty military service to pursue his goal of becoming a Green Beret.[1]

Military career

Path to Special Forces

Hafer began his military journey by attending Infantry Basic Training shortly after graduating from high school. He joined the Idaho National Guard while pursuing higher education, using the Simultaneous Membership Program to balance military service with his studies at the University of Idaho. His determination to become a special operator drove him to prioritize special forces training over the conventional ROTC path.[4]

After completing his education in 1999, Hafer went directly into active duty with the goal of becoming a Green Beret. He entered the rigorous Special Forces Qualification Course, a demanding training program that prepares soldiers for service in United States Army Special Forces. The training process typically takes more than a year and includes phases covering language training, unconventional warfare, and specialized military skills.[5]

Hafer completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in approximately November 2000, earning his Green Beret and assignment to the 19th Special Forces Group, an Army National Guard special forces unit. His timing proved significant—less than a year after completing his training, the September 11 attacks transformed American foreign policy and military operations, ensuring that special operations forces would be heavily engaged for years to come.[4]

Post-9/11 deployments

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks fundamentally changed the trajectory of Hafer's military career. As he later described, once the planes hit the towers, it became clear that "every Special Operations guy was going to be busy from that point forward." Hafer's specialized training positioned him at the center of American military responses to global terrorism.[2]

Hafer's initial deployments took him to Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, where American special forces conducted operations against terrorist organizations with ties to Al-Qaeda. These early deployments introduced him to the realities of special operations warfare and the diverse environments in which Green Berets operate. He subsequently deployed to Kuwait as American forces prepared for operations in Iraq.[4]

In 2003, Hafer participated in the invasion of Iraq, serving as a Green Beret in the initial military campaign that toppled Saddam Hussein's government. The Iraq deployment exposed him to high-intensity combat operations and the challenges of operating in a complex urban and desert environment. His service during the invasion marked the beginning of extensive combat experience that would accumulate over the following decade.[4]

Extensive combat experience

Between 2003 and 2014, Hafer accumulated an extraordinary number of combat deployments, serving both as a Green Beret and later as a CIA contractor. By his own account, he completed over forty rotations to combat zones during this period, spending approximately 300 days per year deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, and various locations in Africa. These deployments typically lasted approximately sixty days, followed by brief two-week rotations back to the United States.[6]

The intensity of Hafer's deployment schedule was exceptional even by special operations standards. He has described years during which he worked over 400 consecutive days in five different countries, all of which were active combat zones. This operational tempo reflected the demands placed on special operations forces during the height of American military engagement in the War on Terror.[4]

Hafer's combat deployments took him to some of the most dangerous and remote regions where American forces operated during the Global War on Terror. His experience spanned the full range of special forces missions, from direct action operations to foreign internal defense and unconventional warfare. The accumulated experience gave him extensive exposure to different operational environments and the practical realities of warfare.[2]

CIA contractor work

After approximately five years of extensive deployments as a Green Beret, Hafer transitioned to working as a contractor for the Central Intelligence Agency. The move to contractor work was common among experienced special operators and offered a different operational environment while continuing engagement in counterterrorism operations. From 2009 to 2013, Hafer worked primarily in Afghanistan under CIA auspices.[4]

As a CIA contractor, Hafer's deployments followed a different pattern than his military service. Contractor rotations were generally shorter—often only a few months long—but Hafer frequently returned to combat zones with minimal time at home, sometimes only a month between deployments. This schedule resulted in dozens of additional deployments over nearly a decade of contractor work, often to extremely dangerous locations.[2]

After his years in Afghanistan and other operational areas, Hafer took a position teaching for the CIA within the United States. This role allowed him to step back from the intense deployment schedule while contributing his operational experience to training new personnel. The teaching position provided a transition period as Hafer began considering his post-government career options.[2]

Decision to leave

By 2014, after more than a decade of near-continuous combat deployments, Hafer began seriously considering leaving government service. The decision was influenced by personal factors, particularly his evolving priorities around family life. As Hafer later explained, he "visualized myself more as a father, considering what type of father do I want to be versus what type of operator do I want to be."[2]

The transition from special operations was complicated by the psychological effects of prolonged combat exposure. Hafer has spoken about experiencing significant psychological challenges at the end of 2014, reflecting the strain of years of high-intensity military and intelligence work. These struggles were common among special operations veterans and influenced Hafer's subsequent advocacy for veteran causes.[7]

Hafer's wife was managing a coffee shop in Denver, Colorado during this period, and he initially envisioned his post-military life as potentially involving a small coffee shop of his own. The modest ambition reflected both his interest in coffee—which had grown during his military service—and his uncertainty about what skills from his military career would translate to civilian employment.[2]

Interest in coffee

Development of passion

Hafer's interest in coffee grew significantly during his military career, evolving from childhood associations with his logging family to a serious pursuit of coffee roasting. While stationed with other special operators, many of his colleagues pursued home brewing beer as a hobby. Hafer instead became interested in home roasting coffee beans, developing expertise in the craft during periods between deployments.[2]

The coffee interest provided a creative outlet and connection to civilian life during the intense periods of military service. Hafer invested time in learning roasting techniques, experimenting with different beans and roast profiles, and developing his palate for specialty coffee. The hobby became increasingly serious over time, laying the groundwork for what would become his post-military career.[8]

The intersection of military culture and coffee consumption proved significant. Special operations personnel often rely on caffeine during extended operations, and coffee became associated with the camaraderie and shared experiences of military life. Hafer recognized that coffee could serve as a cultural touchpoint connecting veterans and military supporters—an insight that would shape Black Rifle Coffee's brand positioning.[8]

Early coffee ventures

Before launching Black Rifle Coffee Company, Hafer began selling small quantities of his roasted coffee through informal channels. He initially marketed a product called "Freedom Roast" through a friend's apparel website, testing whether there was demand for his coffee beyond his immediate circle. The coffee sold well, validating Hafer's belief that there was a market for premium coffee marketed to military-adjacent consumers.[8]

The success of these early sales encouraged Hafer to consider building a more substantial coffee business. Rather than simply supplementing his income, he began developing plans for a brand that would combine his coffee roasting skills with the veteran identity and military culture that had defined his adult life. The concept would differentiate his coffee from both mainstream commercial brands and typical specialty coffee offerings.[2]

Black Rifle Coffee Company

Founding

In December 2014, Evan Hafer founded Black Rifle Coffee Company, launching his own brand and website to sell roasted coffee and branded accessories. The company was established in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Hafer had connections and access to resources needed to start the business. The founding came as Hafer was transitioning out of his CIA contractor work, seeking to build a civilian career around his passion for coffee.[9]

The company's name and branding drew directly from military culture and conservative political identity. "Black Rifle" referenced the AR-15 style rifles popular among military personnel and gun enthusiasts, while the company's imagery featured weapons, military themes, and patriotic symbolism. This distinctive positioning set Black Rifle Coffee apart from the progressive politics associated with some major coffee chains, particularly Starbucks.[10]

The early days of Black Rifle Coffee required intense personal sacrifice from Hafer. He has described sleeping most nights at the office during the company's first year, with a new wife and child at home whom he saw only briefly each week. The long hours reflected the challenges of building a business while transitioning from military life and dealing with the psychological aftereffects of extensive combat deployments.[1]

In building the company, Hafer accumulated significant personal debt—approximately $36,000—to finance operations before the business became self-sustaining. This financial risk reflected his commitment to the venture and the challenges faced by veteran entrepreneurs in accessing capital for new businesses.[11]

Co-founders and early team

While Hafer is credited as the founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company, several other individuals played crucial roles in building the brand. Mat Best, a former 75th Ranger Regiment soldier and CIA contractor, became a co-founder and Chief Branding Officer. Best had previously founded Article 15 Clothing and created brands including Leadslingers Spirits and the Drinkin' Bros Podcast. His military background—five deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with the Rangers, followed by five years of CIA contract work—mirrored Hafer's own experience.[9]

Best's expertise in veteran-focused content creation and social media marketing proved invaluable in establishing Black Rifle Coffee's brand identity. His YouTube channel and social media presence had already cultivated an audience of military veterans and supporters, providing a foundation for Black Rifle Coffee's viral marketing approach. The combination of Hafer's coffee expertise and Best's marketing acumen helped accelerate the company's early growth.[2]

Jarred Taylor joined as another co-founder, eventually serving as Vice President of Business Development. Richard Ryan also contributed as a co-founder and owner, joining the company full-time in 2017 to develop content, marketing strategies, and video programming. This team of veteran co-founders established Black Rifle Coffee's culture and operational approach during its formative years.[2]

Veteran hiring pledge

In 2017, Black Rifle Coffee Company launched an advertising campaign based on a pledge to hire 10,000 veterans. The campaign was conceived independently but was publicly launched shortly after Starbucks announced a program to hire 10,000 refugees worldwide. Black Rifle Coffee positioned its veteran hiring pledge as an alternative to Starbucks' initiative, generating significant media attention and attracting customers who preferred supporting veteran employment.[12]

The company released a provocative meme on social media that juxtaposed an image of ISIS fighters photoshopped holding Starbucks cups with an image of American soldiers in combat. The content generated controversy but also substantial engagement, demonstrating Black Rifle Coffee's willingness to pursue attention-grabbing marketing tactics that aligned with its target audience's political sensibilities.[12]

Critics noted the disparity between the companies' relative sizes when comparing the hiring pledges. In 2013, Starbucks had already launched a program to hire 10,000 veterans and by 2017 had hired 8,000 of them through that initiative—separate from the refugee hiring program. Meanwhile, as of February 2017, Black Rifle Coffee Company employed only 52 people in total, making the 10,000-veteran pledge aspirational rather than immediately achievable. Hafer acknowledged criticisms that both companies' pledges could be viewed as publicity stunts.[12]

The campaign nonetheless succeeded in generating national attention for Black Rifle Coffee and solidifying its position as a conservative alternative to mainstream coffee brands. The company's veteran-centric messaging resonated with military families and supporters who wanted their coffee purchases to align with their values regarding veteran employment and support.[13]

Rapid growth

Black Rifle Coffee Company experienced rapid growth following its 2017 marketing campaigns and increased national visibility. The company built its business primarily around a direct-to-consumer online model, establishing a coffee subscription service that became central to its revenue. By 2020, the subscription service had accumulated over 100,000 subscribers, providing recurring revenue and a loyal customer base.[12]

Beyond online sales, Black Rifle Coffee expanded into retail distribution partnerships. The company's products became available at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, and other retailers catering to outdoor and hunting enthusiasts—audiences that aligned with Black Rifle's brand positioning. These wholesale relationships provided additional revenue streams and exposed the brand to customers who might not otherwise encounter it online.[12]

The company also began opening physical coffee shops, which it branded as "Outposts." The first Outpost opened in Salt Lake City, and the company subsequently expanded to Texas, which Hafer identified as a primary focus for retail growth. By the end of 2021, Black Rifle Coffee operated eight company-owned and eight franchised Outposts, with plans for aggressive expansion.[14]

Leadership structure

As Black Rifle Coffee Company grew, its leadership structure evolved. In January 2019, Tom Davin joined Hafer as co-CEO. Davin, a former Marine Reconnaissance officer with a Harvard MBA, brought extensive corporate experience from his previous roles as President and CEO of Panda Restaurant Group (2004-2009) and COO of Taco Bell Corporation (1996-2000). He had served on Black Rifle Coffee's board since the company's early days.[15]

Davin's experience in scaling restaurant and food service businesses complemented Hafer's coffee expertise and brand vision. The co-CEO structure allowed Hafer to focus on product development, brand identity, and public-facing activities while Davin handled corporate operations, investor relations, and strategic planning for the company's growth. Davin passed away on September 1, 2025, at age 67 from ALS.[15]

SPAC merger and IPO

In November 2021, Black Rifle Coffee Company announced a planned merger with SilverBox Engaged Merger Corp I, a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) sponsored by SilverBox Capital LLC and Engaged Capital LLC. The transaction was designed to take Black Rifle Coffee public while raising capital for expansion. The merger valued the combined company at approximately $1.7 billion.[16]

The SPAC had raised $300 million in its initial public offering, which was supplemented by a $100 million PIPE (private investment in public equity) and a $100 million forward purchase agreement. The transaction was expected to provide at least $373 million in gross proceeds to accelerate Black Rifle Coffee's expansion plans. Approximately 92% of votes cast at the stockholder meeting favored the business combination.[16]

On February 10, 2022, the newly combined company—named BRC Inc.—began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BRCC. To celebrate the listing, Hafer, Davin, and multiple U.S. military veterans, including Purple Heart recipients, rang the opening bell at the NYSE. The public listing represented a significant milestone for the veteran-founded company and provided capital and visibility for continued growth.[17]

Financial performance

As a public company, Black Rifle Coffee has disclosed detailed financial information revealing its growth trajectory and challenges. In fiscal year 2023, the company achieved significant revenue growth, with fourth quarter revenue of $119.7 million representing a 28% increase compared to the prior year's quarter. Wholesale revenue grew 79% year-over-year in that quarter, driven by expansion into food, drug, and mass-market retailers.[18]

For fiscal year 2024, consolidated net revenue decreased 1.0% to $391.5 million, though wholesale revenue grew 8.9% compared to 2023. The company significantly improved profitability, with net loss narrowing to $7.6 million in 2024 from $56.7 million in 2023—a $49.1 million improvement. Adjusted EBITDA reached $39.3 million in 2024, up $26.5 million from $12.8 million the prior year.[19]

The company's distribution expanded significantly, with packaged coffee reaching 48.6% all commodity volume (ACV) across food, drug, and mass retailers—an increase of 11.5 percentage points during 2024. Ready-to-drink coffee distribution grew to 47.2% ACV. The company announced long-range financial targets projecting 10-15% revenue compound annual growth rate through 2027 and 15-25% adjusted EBITDA growth.[19]

Product expansion

Black Rifle Coffee has expanded its product line beyond roasted coffee beans to include ready-to-drink coffee beverages, merchandise, and energy drinks. The ready-to-drink products provided entry into the fast-growing RTD coffee category and broadened the company's appeal to consumers who prefer convenience over brewing their own coffee.[19]

In late 2024, the company launched Black Rifle Energy, a line of energy drinks supported by a partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper for national distribution beginning in 2025. The energy drink expansion represented a significant diversification beyond coffee and an attempt to capture additional consumer occasions throughout the day.[19]

The company's Outpost coffee shops offer full espresso bar service, more than fifteen different coffee blends, drive-through service, and Black Rifle Coffee merchandise. The retail locations serve as brand showcases while generating additional revenue beyond online and wholesale channels. The company announced plans to potentially expand to over 1,300 coffee shops across the United States.[14]

Controversies

Kyle Rittenhouse association

In late 2020, Black Rifle Coffee Company became embroiled in controversy surrounding Kyle Rittenhouse, who faced charges for shooting three people (two fatally) at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Shortly after supporters posted Rittenhouse's $2 million bail, Elijah Schaffer, host of a conservative podcast that partnered with Black Rifle Coffee, tweeted a photo of Rittenhouse wearing a Black Rifle Coffee shirt with the caption "Kyle Rittenhouse drinks the best coffee in America," along with a discount code for the company's products.[20]

The company quickly distanced itself from Rittenhouse, stating: "We do not support legal advocacy efforts. We do not sponsor nor do we have a relationship with the 17-year-old facing charges in Kenosha, WI." Hafer released a video statement saying, "We are not in the business of profiting from tragedy, we are not in the business of profiting from this event. It is ethically inappropriate to do so or give the perception."[21]

The disavowal sparked backlash from portions of Black Rifle Coffee's conservative customer base. Far-right internet personalities including blogger Cassandra Fairbanks formally "disavowed" the company. Members of the Proud Boys accused Black Rifle Coffee of trying to market to "genderless college students" and photoshopped the company's logo to appear to support Black Lives Matter. Some critics accused the company of exploiting conservative customers for profit while refusing to fully embrace conservative causes.[10]

Hafer later acknowledged the controversy by stating "We fucked it up" in reference to the company's handling of the situation. The incident highlighted the challenges of building a politically-branded business while attempting to maintain boundaries around the most controversial figures and events. The controversy demonstrated the difficulty of satisfying a politically-motivated customer base while pursuing mainstream commercial success and eventual public company status.[22]

New York Times profile

In July 2021, The New York Times Magazine published a lengthy profile of Black Rifle Coffee Company that generated additional controversy. The article explored the company's political positioning and quoted Hafer expressing concerns about the company becoming associated with extremist elements within its customer base. The profile raised questions about whether the company could maintain its conservative brand identity while distancing itself from the far-right.[11]

The article's publication prompted discussions about the company's political positioning and customer base. Hafer addressed the profile during his subsequent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, discussing the complexities of the company's relationship with various factions of conservative and right-wing consumers.[11]

Veteran hiring pledge criticism

Critics have questioned Black Rifle Coffee's veteran hiring pledge, noting the significant disparity between the company's 10,000-veteran goal and its actual employment capacity. When the pledge was announced in 2017, the company employed only 52 people total, making the commitment appear more aspirational marketing than concrete employment program. By 2018, over half of the company's staff were former military, but the total number remained far below the pledge's ultimate target.[12]

The comparison to Starbucks' existing veteran hiring programs added context to the criticism. Starbucks had launched its own 10,000-veteran hiring initiative in 2013—four years before Black Rifle's pledge—and had already hired 8,000 veterans by 2017. This history suggested that Black Rifle's pledge, while generating significant publicity, represented a smaller commitment in absolute terms than established programs at major companies.[12]

Media appearances

The Joe Rogan Experience

Evan Hafer has appeared multiple times on The Joe Rogan Experience, one of the most popular podcasts in the world. His appearances have allowed him to share his military experiences, discuss Black Rifle Coffee's business journey, and engage in wide-ranging conversations about veterans' issues, media, and American culture.[23]

Hafer's first major appearance on the podcast was Episode #1693 in August 2021, a more than three-hour conversation that covered topics including the New York Times Magazine article, his military service, and his experiences conducting operations in locations like the Philippines. The episode introduced Hafer to Rogan's massive audience and helped establish him as a public figure beyond the Black Rifle Coffee customer base.[24]

Hafer returned to the podcast for Episode #2230 in November 2024, a nearly five-hour conversation sparked by a discussion at an elk hunting camp. The extended interview covered cultural differences Hafer encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan, the current state of media and public discourse, and reflections on his military and business careers. The episode demonstrated Hafer's ability to engage in long-form, substantive conversations and his comfort in unscripted media environments.[11]

Podcasting

Beyond guest appearances, Hafer co-hosts the Free Range America podcast, which covers topics related to outdoor life, hunting, conservation, and American culture. The podcast reflects Hafer's personal interests developed during his Idaho upbringing and provides a platform for engaging with audiences interested in outdoor recreation and related lifestyle content.[9]

Hafer also appears regularly on the Black Rifle Coffee Podcast, the company's official podcast program that features conversations with veterans, entrepreneurs, and figures from military and conservative media circles. The podcast serves as content marketing for the company while allowing Hafer and his co-founders to share their perspectives and stories with their customer community.[25]

Personal life

Marriage and family

Evan Hafer is married to Kate Hafer. The couple exchanged vows in an intimate, invitation-only wedding ceremony. Kate Hafer has maintained a relatively low public profile, with her husband keeping family matters largely private despite his public role as a business founder and media personality.[26]

The couple has three children—two daughters and a son. Hafer has spoken publicly about how becoming a father influenced his decision to leave military and intelligence work, describing his evolving priorities as he considered "what type of father do I want to be versus what type of operator do I want to be." His daughters appear occasionally in his social media posts, often engaged in outdoor activities.[3]

The transition from special operations to civilian life and entrepreneurship created significant challenges for Hafer's family life. During Black Rifle Coffee's early years, he spent most nights sleeping at the office and saw his wife and newborn child for only brief periods each week. These sacrifices reflected both the demands of building a startup and the difficulty of adjusting to civilian routines after years of military deployment schedules.[1]

Hafer has spoken about his struggles during the transition period, including fears about being unable to bond with his daughter and concerns about lacking transferable skills after leaving the military. These candid discussions about the challenges of veteran transition have resonated with other former service members facing similar adjustments.[7]

Residence

The Hafer family resides in San Antonio, Texas. The location reflects both personal preference and the company's focus on Texas as a primary market for retail expansion. San Antonio's significant military presence—including Joint Base San Antonio—aligns with Black Rifle Coffee's veteran-focused brand identity and customer base.[26]

Outdoor interests

Hafer maintains strong connections to outdoor pursuits including hunting, fishing, and spending time in nature. These interests developed during his Idaho childhood and have continued throughout his adult life. His Free Range America podcast reflects these passions, and he has participated in elk hunting trips that have become settings for conversations featured on other podcasts.[3]

The family shares Hafer's love for outdoor activities, regularly engaging in hiking, camping, and other nature-based recreation. These shared interests reinforce the connection to rural, outdoors-oriented American culture that forms a significant part of Black Rifle Coffee's brand identity and marketing appeal.[26]

Net worth

Estimates of Evan Hafer's net worth vary, with his wealth tied primarily to his ownership stake in Black Rifle Coffee Company. As founder and CEO of a publicly traded company valued at approximately $1.7 billion at its SPAC merger, Hafer's equity holdings represent his primary source of wealth. The company's stock performance since going public has affected the value of those holdings.[27]

Beyond his Black Rifle Coffee holdings, Hafer's wealth reflects over twenty years of military and intelligence work, including periods as both a Green Beret and a CIA contractor. However, the majority of his current net worth derives from building Black Rifle Coffee from a startup funded partially through personal debt to a publicly traded company with annual revenues approaching $400 million.[28]

See also

References

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  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 <ref>"The Untold True Story of How Black Rifle Coffee Got Its Start".Coffee or Die.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 <ref>"Evan Hafer - Net Worth, Wife, Family, Age & Bio".Biography Host.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 <ref>"SFC Evan Hafer (Army Special Operations, OIF, OEF Veteran)".The Veterans Project.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  5. <ref>"Evan Hafer: Biography - Net Worth - Education - Future Plans".StartupTalky.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  6. <ref>"Evan Hafer: On a Mission To Serve (Black Rifle Coffee)".Rogan Tribe.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  7. 7.0 7.1 <ref>"Evan Hafer – The Veteran's Journey to Entrepreneurship".Know Your Best.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 <ref>"Meet the Man Behind Black Rifle Coffee Company".NRA Blog.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 <ref>"Management Team".Black Rifle Coffee Company.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  10. 10.0 10.1 <ref>"Black Rifle Coffee Was MAGA Royalty Until It Turned on Kyle Rittenhouse".The Daily Beast.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 <ref>"#2230 - Evan Hafer - The Joe Rogan Experience".PodPulse.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 <ref>"Black Rifle Coffee Company".Wikipedia.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  13. <ref>"Black Rifle Coffee Controversy Explained: What to Know".Corner Coffee Store.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  14. 14.0 14.1 <ref>"San Antonio coffee company percolates with potential for more than 1,300 stores in U.S.".CultureMap San Antonio.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  15. 15.0 15.1 <ref>"How Corporate Misfit Tom Davin Finally Found a Home at America's Coffee Company".Coffee or Die.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  16. 16.0 16.1 <ref>"SilverBox Engaged Merger Corp I Pleased to Announce Closing of Business Combination with Black Rifle Coffee Company".Business Wire.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  17. <ref>"Black Rifle Coffee Company Joins the New York Stock Exchange".Daily Coffee News.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  18. <ref>"BRC Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results".Black Rifle Coffee Company.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 <ref>"BRC Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results".Black Rifle Coffee Company.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  20. <ref>"Black Rifle Coffee Company addresses connection to Kyle Rittenhouse".ABC4.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  21. <ref>"Black Rifle Coffee: 'We do not have a relationship' with Kyle Rittenhouse".Gephardt Daily.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  22. <ref>"'We F*cked It Up' - Founder Of Black Rifle Coffee Addresses Kyle Rittenhouse Controversy".RallyPoint.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  23. <ref>"The Joe Rogan Experience: Evan Hafer".IMDB.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  24. <ref>"4 Key Takeaways From BRCC Founder Evan Hafer's Latest Joe Rogan Appearance".Coffee or Die.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  25. <ref>"Evan Hafer's Podcast Credits & Interviews".Podchaser.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 <ref>"Evan Hafer Wife: Insights into Their Private Life".Wifeclue.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  27. <ref>"Evan Hafer Net Worth & Wife".Famous People Today.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>
  28. <ref>"Evan Hafer Net Worth, Wife, Age In 2025, Height, CIA, Family, And Jewish Faith".Biographlee.Retrieved 15 January 2026.</ref>