For many people, coffee shops are the go-to place for people, be it for work, socialising or relaxing. Ensuring your coffee shop caters to a whole host of people is no easy feat, but there is a wealth of coffee shop equipment that’ll help you please your customers.
Everything from the best coffee beans to a coffee grinder that’ll keep up with the fast-paced nature of the coffee house industry is essential. But what else does your coffee shop need to guarantee success?
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High-Quality Coffee Beans
Instant coffee and simple coffee blends are becoming unfavourable. Nowadays people want high-quality coffee beans that exude flavour and notes of unusual tastes. As such, it is important that you source and stock a wide variety of coffee beans to cater to your guests’ expectations.
Furthermore, in today’s eco-conscious market, opting for organic and, more importantly, rainforest certified brands is both a great move for the earth, and also for marketing purposes. When people go out and spend their money, they like to know what they are buying and where it has come from.
Once you source these green-certified beans (and remember to look for official certifications, to avoid brands that simply greenwash their practices), you can advertise them in your own store. Make your brand the go-to place for great coffee that is also good for the planet.
Once you take this stance, you can also encourage your guests to buy other eco-friendly products like reusable coffee cups, furthering your profits.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a coffee shop is to assume everyone will want an espresso-based drink. 30% of coffee sales come from drip coffee, so investing in a high-quality drip coffee maker is vital.
When buying your drip coffee makers, it needs to be able to produce great coffee in large enough volumes so that you don’t have to keep brewing all day, however, remember that no one likes stale coffee. Try to work out how much to brew and when, so you can advertise coffee freshness to your caffeine-fuelled customers.
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A High-Quality Espresso Machine
It goes without saying that a professional espresso machine is one of the most important parts of any coffee shop. However, they also tend to be very expensive.
You need to budget for an espresso machine, as without one, your coffee shop is simply a shop. Check if there are any payment plans you can take advantage of, and be sure to invest in an espresso machine that can handle your customer volume.
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Commercial Coffee Grinders
Just as espresso machines are important, so too are coffee grinders. Too many people underestimate how important coffee grinders are for taste, so ensure you get the best you can afford, based on the quality of the grind and how quick and easy it is to use.
Depending on the quality of the water coming from your tap, you might need to invest in a water filtration system. Not only can tap water reduce the quality of taste in the coffee, but it can also ruin coffee makers over time if the water itself has a mineral content that is too high.
Have your water tested beforehand. Chances are, if you are operating in a new building in a modern city, the water quality will be good enough without one.
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Attractive and Functional Refrigeration Systems
Moving on from your coffee machines, it is time to choose your refrigeration systems. These items are necessary for storing both food and ingredients, and as such will need to be displayed where customers can see them.
Select a fridge that matches your store’s aesthetic, or one that can be hidden. The same applies to a freezer, unless it can be placed out of sight from the customer.
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Ovens, Toasters, and Panini Presses
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is rarely advised, and many people visit coffee shops to also indulge in breakfast, brunch or lunch. As such, you need to offer more than just drinks and should have a variety of sandwiches and baked goods to go with them.
You can either make these in-house if you want to include a kitchen, or you can partner with other local businesses to provide fresh, delicious food every time. For the latter, you will want to also invest in a display cabinet for freshness and marketing purposes.
Regardless of which method you choose, coffee shops operate on a convenience business model, meaning you will need the food ready to be taken at a moment’s notice. For those who choose to sit in, having an oven, toaster, panini press, and a microwave can allow you to serve the food hot in record time.
Industrial blenders are powerful and dependable. However, they can also cost you hundreds of dollars. That being said, you don’t want to operate without one.
Blended drinks have become increasingly popular over the years, especially in the summer months. Choose a strong blender, and ideally get a warranty on the product so that if it breaks, you don’t have to dish out for another one.
Point of Sale systems are non-negotiable, and are essential for cafes and bars alike. Take orders at the till point or at the tables, send orders to the café’s kitchen if you have one, check stock and be able to offer loyalty points.
By choosing a POS system like Nobly, you can invest in bundles of POS equipment that suit your café’s needs. With an iPad, stand, cash drawer and Bluetooth printer, you can offer a seamless and instant experience to your customers, that’ll help retain customers and keep them happy.
To Conclude
Without the best equipment, your café will struggle to keep up with customer demand. You want to offer high-quality coffee and food, as well as an experience that is quick, simple and stress-free for both customers and your employees.
