Which Professional Coffee Machine is Best for Your Business?
👉 76% of French people drink coffee at breakfast.
👉 62% never skip their after-lunch coffee.
👉 For nearly 85% of French workers, coffee breaks are essential.
These statistics highlight how integral coffee is throughout the day. In the workplace, coffee breaks foster well-being, relaxation, and social connection.
French people also love being offered a cup of coffee! In fact, 9 out of 10 customers feel genuinely welcomed when served a coffee.
The Workplace Coffee Culture: More Than Just a Break
In offices, coffee machines bring people together. Coffee breaks enhance communication and teamwork, leading to higher productivity.
Whether you run a business, coworking space, café, restaurant, or corporate canteen, offering high-quality coffee is a must. The key question remains: Which professional coffee machine best suits your business needs?
How to choose the right Commercial Coffee Machine
Before selecting a commercial coffee machine, first consider the type of coffee you want to serve.
☕ Coffee type determines the machine type:
- Ground coffee → Best for filter coffee makers or pod machines
- Whole bean coffee → Requires a bean-to-cup coffee machine
Why choose whole bean coffee?
We highly recommend whole bean coffee for three key reasons:
- 1️⃣ Superior Taste: Freshly ground beans release their full aroma just before brewing. Pre-ground coffee, on the other hand, loses its oils and freshness over time.
- 2️⃣ Cost Efficiency: At approximately €18 per kg, whole bean coffee is 5x cheaper than pods or capsules. Filter coffee costs between €8 and €28 per kg, making whole beans the most cost-effective option for high-quality coffee.
- 3️⃣ Eco-Friendly: Whole bean coffee has the lowest carbon footprint of all coffee formats. Since it’s minimally processed, it generates almost no waste beyond its packaging. Pleyce goes even further by using reusable and deposit-return packaging.
☕ Discover our locally roasted Whole Bean Coffee
Types of professional Coffee Machines
There are three main types of professional coffee machines:
1️⃣ Automatic Office Coffee Machines
- User-friendly and intuitive, allowing employees to serve themselves.
- Available in a range of sizes, from compact office models to high-capacity machines serving up to 150 cups per day.
2️⃣ Vending Coffee Machines
- Ideal for waiting rooms, hallways, and self-service areas.
- Handles high consumption volumes and can dispense snacks and soft drinks in addition to coffee.
3️⃣ Manual Espresso Machines
- Designed for baristas and espresso connoisseurs.
- Offers full control over coffee settings for a high-end result.
- Suitable for small businesses or hospitality establishments with high coffee demand.
How to Choose the Right Coffee Machine for Your Business?
To make an informed decision, consider these key factors:
✅ Drink variety: Coffee, cappuccino, hot chocolate, tea, sodas?
✅ Daily consumption volume: How many cups per day?
✅ Placement: Meeting room, hallway, break room, office, canteen, waiting area, store?
✅ Snacks: Do you also want to offer snacks alongside coffee?
✅ Access: Self-service or staff-operated?
✅ Payment system: Free or paid coffee?
💡 If you plan to charge for coffee, choose a machine that supports payment options!
By answering these questions, you’ll identify the perfect professional coffee machine for your business.
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Choosing a coffee machine for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
The best coffee machine for an SME depends on:
✅ Company size
✅ Coffee station location
✅ Variety of beverages offered
For SMEs with <25 Employees
A compact office coffee machine is ideal. These machines produce 30 to 80 cups per day and fit seamlessly into small spaces.
📌 Recommended models:
For SMEs with 25–50 Employees
A medium-sized coffee machine designed for break rooms or small cafeterias, serving 70 to 80 cups per day.
📌 Recommended models:
- Elin (24 drink options)
- Skali (40 options, including hot chocolate)
💡 Want to offer snacks too? Consider a coffee vending machine, which serves both coffee and snacks.
For SMEs with 50–100 Employees
Choose a high-capacity coffee machine for shared spaces, capable of making 100+ cups per day.
📌 Recommended models:
- Taje, Milla, or Vejle (office coffee machines)
- Vending machines for high-traffic areas
For SMEs with 100+ Employees
You’ll need a robust, high-capacity coffee machine that handles frequent use.
📌 Recommended models:
- Esmée (high-volume office coffee machine)
- Vaerløse (automatic vending machine)
💡 For companies with an on-site restaurant, consider an espresso machine for post-lunch coffee!
Best coffee machine for coworking spaces
Coworking spaces thrive on community and networking, and the coffee corner is at the heart of it all. A bean-to-cup coffee machine enhances the coworking experience, creating a social, inviting atmosphere.
Best coffee machine for retail stores
Offering coffee in your store or office improves customer experience and loyalty. Whether for waiting areas or additional revenue streams, coffee adds value to your business.
🔎 Examples:
- A beauty salon offers free coffee to clients in the waiting area.
- A bakery sells coffee as part of a breakfast combo deal.
💡 Discover our Retail Coffee Machine Guide.
Best coffee machine for cafés, restaurants & hotels
In hospitality (HORECA), coffee is a serious business! Your choice of machine depends on service volume and quality expectations.
👉 Best machine for cafés & bars? A manual espresso machine using whole bean coffee.
👉 Best machine for hotels?
- Manual espresso machine for the bar
- Automatic bean-to-cup machine for the breakfast buffet
- Coffee vending machine for self-service in the lobby
💡 Explore our Hospitality Coffee Machine Guide for expert recommendations.
Need help finding the perfect coffee solution? Contact Pleyce today!
