At the turn of the century, Herschel Mills Duncan moved to Houston to work for his uncle JW Neal whose own coffee brand Maxwell House coffee had achieved quite substantial fame. Duncan worked his way up to the position of General Manager and in August 1918 opened the doors to the new Duncan Coffee Company plant.

Duncan set out to roast the smoothest coffee and worked tirelessly – selling only to the finest hotels, restaurants, and railroad dining cars. Soon his business expanded to the point he brought in a new partner, his brother Charles Duncan SR and together they built one of the largest coffee roasters in the United States with their famous brands Maryland Club Coffee, Admirations Coffee and Bright & Early Coffee. The company continued to grow under the directions of Charles Duncan JR until the Maryland Blub brand and company merged with the Coca Cola Company. Today, four generations later the Duncan Coffee Company is a family owned enterprise under the direction of Herschel Mills Duncan IV and still operations under the same quality guidelines – importing, roasting and blending fine coffees for your enjoyment.