AS OUR LIVES HAVE GOTTEN BUSIER,
WE OFTEN CHOOSE TO EAT QUICK AND EASY FOODS,
BUT FAIL TO SAVOR THEM FULLY.

 

OUR MISSION IS TO AWAKEN OUR INCREASINGLY
BUSY POPULATION TO A CONVENIENT AND ELEVATED
FOOD EXPERIENCE.

 

 

2006

WHERE ARE THE WAFELS?

Amsterdam native Rip Pruisken arrives at Brown University. Rip heads to the dining hall for koffietijd - a mid-morning coffee break enjoyed with a wafel. Finding decent coffee but no wafel, Rip is horrified to learn that most of America is without his favorite snack.

 

 

2008

DISCOVERING THE REAL PASSION

After spending some time in the corporate world, and exploring a number of different academic interests in college, Rip realizes (while taking a break) that his passion post college lies in creating something.

 

 

2009

STARTING OUT OF A DORM ROOM

Three years and 1,625 wafel-less koffietijd's later Rip's had enough, he buys a wafle iron and begins pressing the first batch of homemade Rip van Wafels in his dorm. His wafels are inedible. Undeterred, he tries again... and again.

 

 

2009

VISITING WAFEL FACTORIES IN HOLLAND

Rip visits Holland to learn from the Wafel masters.

 

 

2010

FIRST SALE ON THE MAIN GREEN

Rip sets up shop on the campus Main Green and slings handmade wafels to kids on their way to class. One strange day in late April, hundreds of confused-looking students pour onto the quad clamoring for a bite. He can't keep up with demand...

 

 

2010

WILLY WONKA ASSEMBLY LINE

After raising funds Rip recruits a group of engineering students to design an automated press that cranks out 150 wafels an hour. Rip Van Wafels is born.

 

 

2011

MARCO COMES BACK FROM BRAZIL

Enter Marco. Arriving from a semester abroad in Brazil, Marco is inspired to create something (lots of sun and caipirinhas had something to do with it).

 

 

2011

HUSTLING AND GETTING THINGS OFF THE GROUND

Marco and Rip hustle Rip van Wafels around the country living solely off coffee and wafels. After many parking tickets, numerous couches surfed, and more than a handful of college parties, Rip van Wafels begins gaining notice.

 

 

2012

MORE HUSTLING

Rip and Marco continue to make their way across the US from coffee shop to coffee shop. The full vision of Rip Van Wafels is finally starting to materialize.

 

 

2013

MOVING TO SF

Inspired by the coffee renaissance in Northern California, Rip van Wafels relocates to San Francisco.

 

 

2014

AND BEYOND...

Rip Van Wafels is proudly stocked at coffee shops, offices, and specialty stores and around the country. From Providence to Palo Alto, Americans learn that a short break goes a long way - one Rip Van Wafel at a time.

 

 

Visit their website to learn more