Drinking coffee is often a habitual activity within the workplace, many workers are accustomed to using coffee as a way to “perk up” and give themselves the energy levels they require whether that be to combat a late night, early morning or late afternoon buzz to get them through the last part of the day.
Recent studies indicate that approximately 65% of workers indulge in coffee during their work hours, with the average worker consuming three cups per day. Many express the sentiment that they couldn’t navigate a typical day without coffee. This underscores the significant role coffee plays in the UK economy.
The above scenario is typical across all office sizes and sectors. As workers, we view coffee as an integral part of our daily office experience.
Many workers express positive reactions to their coffee consumption at work, noting improvements in productivity levels, enhanced social interactions with colleagues, and even a higher level of cultural satisfaction within the business. All this from just coffee.
As a leading nationwide provider of commercial coffee machine leasing, hire, and rental services, we have assisted offices of all sizes throughout the UK with their coffee consumption needs. In this guide, we outline parts of our process to equip you, the coffee machine procurement user or business owner, with the necessary details to make informed decisions when purchasing or leasing a commercial coffee machine for your office space.
Quality is indeed crucial when selecting the right coffee machine. However, it’s important to consider other factors beyond just the quality and variety of hot drinks it offers. Consumption matters.
Imagine the frustration as a worker if when making a coffee you run out of beans, constantly face an empty water tank, or run out of cups. Even worse, waiting time resulting in serving cold coffee can lead to dissatisfaction among workers. These issues, along with factors like the bitter taste from burnt beans affecting the coffee taste, can significantly impact morale levels within the office and even create employee dissatisfaction, impacting the company culture.
This guide aims to offer advice on measuring coffee consumption within your workforce while understanding the sophistication of your employees’ coffee preferences. By gauging what drinks they consume, how often, and at what times, you can tailor our suggestions to match your office size and coffee consumption patterns. At Vending Sense, we strive to provide the best machines to ensure a seamless coffee experience for your employees, alleviating the headache for the purchaser or hirer.
Why do office workers drink coffee?
Office coffee is a growing trend, witnessing a steady 6% growth annually over the past three years, resulting in an industry worth over £2.7 billion. Despite us being a nation of tea drinkers, we now drink twice as much coffee as we do tea, with the workplace being the primary location for consumption.
Office coffee has evolved into a serious business, reflecting not only increased consumption but also the growing availability of quality coffee varieties. Gone are the days of the hot water urn and a pot of Nescafe; today’s workers desire quality coffee that matches their refined tastes.
Here’s a condensed version of the top reasons why office workers consume coffee:
Habit
For many workers, drinking coffee becomes a routine part of their day, starting in the morning, followed by mid-morning, and finally mid-afternoon. This habitual consumption is often linked to productivity levels, with most people using coffee to “wake up” or “stay alert” during these key parts of the day.
Additionally, coffee serves as a way to prepare for larger tasks. Many workers, before undertaking a complex or time-consuming activity, mark the occasion by enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee by their side as they embark on their journey.
These habits, or routines, not only contribute to productivity but also create a sense of structure and predictability within a hectic and ever-changing workplace.
Productivity
A recurring theme in office coffee consumption, as mentioned multiple times in this guide, is the perceived enhancement of user productivity.
For many workers, coffee equates to higher levels of productivity. The science behind this lies in the caffeine boost, which, although temporary, provides the focus and energy needed to complete daily tasks effectively.
Over the years there have been multiple studies on the positive effects on cognitive function based on memory, focus and processing information. All of these increase alertness and performance therefore being attributed to higher levels of productivity.
Social Interaction
In the heart of many workplaces, informal conversations happen around the water cooler (also known as the water dispenser in the UK), this similarly applies to office coffee stations. As a result, many companies have dedicated hot and cold beverage areas and offer a great opportunity to catch up with our colleagues personally during dedicated coffee breaks.
Depending on the size of your office, some workers hardly interact and this can be extended to other departments and senior team members. As an informal place to chat with your colleagues, this fosters a stronger connection and strengthens workplace morale from a cultural perspective.
In the capacity of work-based communication, the interaction can be even more rewarding – team members can discuss collaborations, pose questions and brainstorm more naturally than in a meeting room.
Having a worktime break for a coffee is also a great way to cut down your screen time or even address something such as writer’s block.
How to measure coffee consumption in your office
Finding the ideal coffee machine for your office begins with understanding your workplace’s specific needs, and considering the balance between your employee’s different tastes, needs and preferences. As with any criteria when selecting the perfect office coffee machine you will need to analyse your team’s coffee preferences, daily consumption habits, hybrid/remote working schedules comparing this against peak attendance days, and the busiest coffee-making times within the office. By gathering these insights through the options below you will be able to determine the ideal coffee machine that meets the workplace demands and expectations.
Survey your office workers
The first step would be to gain a clearer picture of the coffee preferences and habits of staff. This is essential to ensure you choose the right coffee machine for your workforce rather than the machine based on your personal preferences or being guided to from procurement.
Explore which beverages the majority of your staff prefer to drink, whether this be espresso, latte, or mocha and you can even learn more about their milk preferences too. This can be the difference between choosing a machine with a milk feed/heat element or a more basic coffee vending solution. Your internal survey may also help you explore other services you may need, for example, if your staff prefer tea options that you can consider within your coffee solutions to helo you cover all use cases such as new employees and visitors to your office building.
The survey is also a great opportunity to analyse tastes, time expectations and maturity. Some more sophisticated pallets would prefer a bean to cup and are happy to wait, whereas other less experienced looking for short-brew sachet/pod systems.
You also need to think about consumables and accessories you may need outside of the machine. This may include preferences around fresh roasted coffee beans, flavoured syrups, or drink stirrers. Decaffeinated options can also come into play which may require you to have a machine with two bean hoppers.
Considering a machine in larger office spaces, you may need to gain feedback on the location to place your coffee machine and factor whether you should have more than one machine to match the size of your building and coffee-making facilities.
Whether your drinks-making facilities are more of a quick necessity, required for frequent breaks or ensure a positive taste experience, your survey can help you to decipher the type of machine to invest in.
Keeping the feedback simple and quick to submit using multiple choice options will help identify commonalities in the data whilst providing open-ended questions can provide you with more context.
Monitor usage of coffee facilities
To be able to analyse coffee consumption and usage within an office environment, you can implement two specific methods:
•Automated Tracked
•Observational
For larger offices, with a higher use of the coffee-making facilities with a more robust solution already in place automated tracking through a software program which can provide more accurate data around daily consumption levels.
For smaller offices, you can set up consumption logs and use a template checklist to be filled in by workers when using the facilities over a short period to get an idea of the machine use, time of day most busy and the type of drinks the machine is used for.
You can also use a more observational approach and monitor the machine use that you currently have, looking at peak time queues, end-of-day cup usage and the types of drinks which are being brewed the most. Using this approach will also be a great way to look at your worker’s frustrations and can also be used to validate the survey data.
Research coffee habits
Reviewing the coffee drinking habits of your office workers can give you clearer insights into their coffee consumption routines based on; key times, circumstances and the number of coffee cups being consumed in the workplace.
Studies have shown, over 67% of office workers drink coffee in the morning, citing the main focus of maintaining energy levels to feel productive and focused. A common habit for most office workers tend to see a high proportion of people starting the day with drinking a coffee in the morning, midday and in the afternoon to avoid feeling unfocused.
When researching the coffee drinking habits of your staff, you may want to understand more about the time of day coffee is consumed. This may help you to find a correlation between productivity and consumption across certain times of the day to determine the utilisation of the coffee machine.
Choosing the right coffee machine after measuring office coffee consumption
With coffee being such an essential part of the working day, it is essential you choose the right machine for your business’ needs. Whilst your office size is an important aspect, consumption will be the main factor to choosing an optimal machine that will perform well. For example, 10 employees who consume an average of 3 coffees a day will require you machine which caters to higher levels than an office of 30 people who drink coffee rarely on occasion.
From reduced productivity and frustration to lower quality beans and limited options, the repercussions of making the wrong choice in coffee solutions can extend even to job satisfaction. Research indicates that paid vending solutions can adversely affect employee morale, with 80% of individuals expressing that complimentary hot beverages boost their satisfaction.
Firstly, how do you measure consumption to know if it’s high or low?
Well we recommend around 350-250 cups generally being considered a high use. Using this as a guideline, you can work out the medium to light usage of around 80 – 30 cups per day.
The higher consumption coffee machines are usually better suited to a larger office space with more workers needing to use the machine than the smaller commercial coffee machines based around the lower consumption generally used for smaller office spaces.
Below we have selected a number of our top machine options best suited for the higher and lighter use consumption levels of coffee within the office to help guide you to make the right decision.
The best coffee machines for heavy coffee consumption (medium/larger offices)
There are plenty options to choose from when considering a machine capable of 250-350 cups a day, which can make this a daunting task. However we are here to assist you in your choice by exploring our tailored top 3 recommendations to discover the perfect solution for a larger workforce of 100+ employees, or organisations with a heavy usage covering a range of choices for all staff. Our top recommendations for large office coffee machines with a capacity of 250 – 350 cups includes; Franke A600, Jura GIGA X8 Gen II and Coffeetek Vitro X3.
Franke A600
With a daily capacity of 250 cups, this bean to cup office coffee machine is an outstanding choice for both served and self-service operations within a sizable office setting.
Combining Swiss made innovation with flavour, the Franke A600 is a coffee machine known for its use in mid-high-capacity organisations, offers high quality coffee through precision ceramic bean grinding and high performance. Optional extras such as the cup warmer and integrated fresh milk feed system (FoamMaster TM) ensure a range of cold and hot milk (foam) for a wide variety of hot beverages to be made. Designed with the user in mind, the user-friendly interface and touchscreen options make it an easy choice for commercial office settings. Overall, the Franke A600 is an optimal choice for serving both staff and visitors in a larger office, offering high-quality coffee tailored to individual tastes.
Key features:
• Daily capacity: 250 cups per day
• Built in cup warmer
• Simple installation with mains fed water system
• Offers 16 coffee specialties
Jura GIGA X8 Gen II
As with the Franke model, the Jura Giga X8 also can deliver a daily capacity of 250 cups, a high-performance commercial bean to cup coffee machine designed for professional use in large office environments, although equally at home in hotels, education and leisure environments. An outstanding choice for serving speciality coffees in high demand locations.
The newest second generation of the popular Giga mode, the X8 II is coffee machine known for its advanced features and versatility within any large commercial use. As an office coffee machine, it has been designed to cater to the demands of busy environments; with a dual spout system allowing for the simultaneous preparation of two drinks at once. This enables faster service and reduces waiting times, making it ideal for high-volume settings.
Often tanked with a 5L water reservoir (or the X8C for the main connection), the GIGA X8 Gen II can handle continuous operation without the need for frequent refills. This is especially beneficial in busy environments where efficiency is crucial.
The office coffee machines’ intuitive interface and programmable options ensure ease of use and customization to meet individual preferences. Additionally, advanced brewing technology and a built-in milk frothing system guarantee consistently excellent coffee quality with every cup. Overall, the Jura GIGA X8 Gen II offers a perfect blend of capacity and performance, making it an ideal choice for larger office settings where quality and efficiency are paramount.
Key features:
• Daily capacity: 250 cups per day
• Dual spout for quicker coffee preparation time
• 5L tank (or mains-fed available)
• Offers 16 coffee specialties
CoffeeTek Vitro X3
At 350 cup capacity, the CoffeeTek Vitro X3 is an office coffee machine for locations with a high demand for use. Regarded as one of the most powerful bean to cup coffee machines on the market, with a 9 bar pressure this machine is capable of providing high quality expresso based drinks. Unlike the other options the machine is capable of providing a wide range of beverage options to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. From espresso and cappuccino to latte and hot chocolate, even an added fresh leaf tea option, making this machine the ideal choice for large offices to cater to a diverse hot beverages demand.
A relatively small model, packed full of features. With a sleek and modern design and high-resolution touchscreen display for easy navigation to allow the adjustments in coffee strength, milk froth level, and beverage size, ensuring that each cup is tailored to individual tastes.
High-capacity use from its generous bean and ingredient hoppers, as well as large-capacity water tanks. To allow for continuous operation without the need for frequent refills, making it suitable for high-traffic environments such as large offices, cafes, university common areas and car showrooms.
Overall, the CoffeeTek Vitro X3 is a versatile and reliable office coffee machine for large office settings that combines style, functionality, and performance delivering exceptional quality beverages and a superior customer experience.
Key features:
• Daily capacity: 350 cups per day
• Fresh leaf tea optional function
• Main fed water system
• Offers 21 coffee specialties
The best coffee machines for light coffee consumption and small offices
For smaller offices of around 10-50 people, capacity is not always the main criteria. As a small business owner you also need to consider budget and price range as well as the number of cups per day you will use. Our top 3 recommendations for lower capacity drinks which we would usually recommend for smaller office environments include, Jura JX8, Coffeetek Vitro S1 and Sense Azzurri Pro which makes around 60 – 100 cups per day.
Jura JX8
With a 100-cup capacity, the Jura X8 is an incredible versatile office coffee machine, ideal for smaller office and hospitality use. Although smaller in capacity than the larger commercial coffee machine options, it is still a machine capable of over 21 specialist coffee varieties and a cup positioning aid which make the machine great for self-service for workers and staff within the workplace.
A bean-to-cup machine with a diverse selection of coffee specialties finished with milk and foam, including espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, and more. With its intuitive touchscreen interface and programmable settings, users can easily customize their drinks to suit their preferences.
The height adjustable dual spout system, the X8 can prepare two drinks simultaneously, allowing for faster service and reduced wait times. This makes it ideal for environments where efficiency is crucial, such as busy offices or cafes.
Overall, the Jura X8 combines impressive capacity with top-notch performance, making it a reliable and efficient solution for any setting requiring high-quality coffee service.
Key features:
• Daily capacity: 100 cups per day
• 5L water tank-fed design
• Ability to brew tea and other beverages from the hot water features
• Offers 21 coffee specialties
Coffetek Vitro S1
A compact bean-to-cup Coffetek Vitro S1 machine with a 60-cup capacity, a self-service beverage system designed specifically for smaller offices, car showrooms and hospitality use.
A popular coffee machine for smaller capacity demand tailored for office and commercial use, offering impressive capacity and versatility in a sleek design.
Despite its small footprint, the Vitro S1 is designed to meet the demands of small to medium-sized businesses, providing a wide range of beverage options to satisfy diverse preferences. With advanced brewing technology, the small office coffee machine delivers high-quality hot beverages consistently, while its customizable options allow users to tailor their drinks to their liking. Additionally, the machine requires minimal maintenance, making it a reliable and low-maintenance solution for businesses seeking quality coffee service without the hassle.
Overall, the Coffetek Vitro S1 combines compact design, commercial-grade performance, and ample capacity, making it an ideal choice for small offices, small cafes, and other lower use commercial settings.
Key features:
• Daily capacity: 60 cups per day
• Mains fed water supply
• Ability to brew tea and other beverages from the hot water features
• Offers 21 coffee specialties
Sense Azzurri Pro
As an in-between machine more suited to light-medium use within a smaller office setting at around a 150-cup capacity the Sense Azzurri Pro is a great coffee machine option for lower demand commercial office spaces.
On the higher cup capacity, the Sense Azzuri Pro bean-to-cup coffee machine can also be used in larger offices and provides a versatile coffee experience with its four hoppers (two for coffee and two for powders) able to make up to 30 customisable drink options (including luxury hot chocolate).
A professional commercial coffee machine its ideal for small/medium office use with an easy to use touchscreen interface and customizable drink options, this makes the coffee machine user-friendly and adaptable to various preferences (able to adjust based on taste/strength) for office staff.
Overall, the Azzurri Pro has been built to withstand the demands of daily commercial use, with durable construction and easy maintenance it is the ideal coffee machine for a busy office, this machine provides an excellent coffee experience consistently.
Key features:
• Daily capacity: 150 cups per day
• Mains fed water supply or 4L tank
• Fresh milk feed within handy side fridge
• Able to create over 30 hot beverages
The value of understanding your office coffee consumption
Understanding what your workers want, like and need in their office hot beverages is essential. Not just from a provision perspective of the commodity, it’s also key for productivity and a cornerstone of workplace culture.
When selecting a coffee machine, it’s not just about capacity you need to think about the quality and variety from your hot beverage machine. Quality needs to be as high consideration as use as if this is not then the benefits around worker satisfaction/productivity start to decline.
Other factors to consider include; the ease of use, coffee choice, brewing speeds, water filtration/feed, consumables, care/maintenance and the energy consumption (environmental impact).
By taking the time to gain clear insights into your office’s coffee consumption levels, you can make the right choice for your workers and your business whether your workforce consumes less than 30 cups or more than 100 ensuing you have the right solution minimises down-time, frustration from waiting by the coffee making station and increases the energy and happiness levels within the office.