Bolt Coffee Company was founded in 2012 by Bryan Gibb and Todd Mackey, who met while working at New Harvest Coffee Roasters in Pawtucket the year before and launched the business as a mobile coffee cart in Providence, Rhode Island. The roasting facility on Calverly Street in the Smith Hill neighbourhood opened in 2018, and the company now operates three café locations including one inside the RISD Museum. Food and Wine named Bolt the best roaster in Rhode Island, citing its deep knowledge of roasting and sustainable green coffee sourcing. The founders also co created Knead Doughnuts with Adam Lastrina, which debuted in 2016. The wholesale programme offers freshly roasted coffee alongside consulting, barista training, equipment sourcing, and private label roasting.