Five Cups Coffee Co. business students serving coffee from the school canteen. (Image Credit: Submitted/ Rhonda MacDonald)

By Alyssa Rudolph

FIVE CUPS COFFEE CO.

North Battleford high school entrepreneurs brew up business with in-school coffee company

Mar 6, 2026 | 2:54 PM

Inside a classroom at North Battleford Comprehensive High School sits five students who shared the same passion of starting up a small business for their entrepreneur class project. 

Brendan Muli, along with his classmates, realized it was a daily inconvenience to leave school and grab a cup of coffee during their breaks. 

“We decided that for our business idea, we should start selling coffee in our own building because it would be more accessible for students and staff,” Muli said.  

The group pitched their coffee bar concept to the class, describing a menu of traditional and seasonal drinks that would be served out of the school canteen.  

With a small budget provided by the school, the idea soon turned into a business reality called Five Cups Coffee Co.  

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Students and entrepreneurship teacher, Rhonda MacDonald enjoying Five Cups Coffee Co. (Image Credit: submitted/ Rhonda MacDonald)

“We had our pumpkin spice flavoured drinks and by the time December came around, we had our peppermint flavored beverages as well. We sold hot coffee, iced coffee, and hot chocolate along with many other flavored versions of those drinks.” 

Muli said the coffee bar attracted more customers than the group had expected on several days, with the total even exceeding 50 at times.  

“We did our work advertising around the building. We had posters up and then we also had a social media page where we would post updates and behind-the-scenes stuff.” 

While the group would have liked to continue running the coffee company for the full school year, the transition into the second semester brought the project to a close. Still, the five students say the experience taught them valuable lessons they’ll take with them as they graduate this fall.  

“I think career-wise, a big part of it was how to be responsible for a business and how to communicate your feelings with your partners because there were times when we had to have tough discussions with some of our group members.” 

“I’m really glad I had that opportunity because it gave me those skills that I definitely want to use later on in my life,” Muli explained.  

A key component of the class project required students to give back by donating 20 per cent of their business earnings to the community. This group selected Battlefords Concern for Youth as the recipient of their $280 donation. 

“We appreciate what Concern for Youth is doing for our town. We believe in mentorship and youth support. So, that was kind of our way of thinking when deciding on our organization.” 

Five Cups Coffee Co owners delivering a donation to Concern For Youth. From left: Carlie, Brendan, Linda, and Bree. (Image Credit: Concern For Youth/ Facebook)

Read more about past entrepreneurship class projects: 

Prairie Apparel: High school entrepreneurs turn business into community impact 

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com