About Tonga Truck Coffee

Some names tell a story — and Tonga Truck Coffee is no different.

Before founding Tonga Truck Coffee, Tim Manoa was known on the football field as the "Tonga Truck" — a nod to his bruising, powerful running style as an NFL running back, and a playful twist on the classic Tonka Truck toy. Born and raised on the beautiful island of Tonga, the name was a perfect fit: tough, memorable, and deeply personal.

Tim honed his craft as a running back at Penn State University, where he was part of the legendary 1986 National Championship team. His performance earned him a 3rd round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 1987 NFL Draft — and the nickname "Tonga Truck" 

When his playing days were behind him, Tim's love for great coffee never faded. As a self-described coffee lover, he saw an opportunity to build something special — a specialty coffee brand he could run from anywhere in the world. And so, Tonga Truck Coffee was born.

What makes our coffee different?

We're not your grocery store coffee. Every bag of Tonga Truck Coffee starts with carefully sourced, specialty grade single-origin beans — selected for the unique character of the regions they come from. When you place your order, we roast fresh and ship directly to you. No sitting on shelves for weeks. No stale beans. Just an exceptional, small-batch cup every time.

This is coffee with a story. We hope you taste the difference.