As of 2015, there were over 31,000 coffee shops in the United States. Over the past 10 years, the specialty and independent coffee shop industry has grown by nearly 50 percent. Americans love their coffee! Thinking about owning your own shop? Maybe you already have a business plan, a great location, and the perfect name to go it with it, now its time you supply your coffee shop. Specific requirements may vary from business to business, but we've developed a comprehensive coffee shop equipment list to help you get started.
Coffee, Espresso, and Beverage Equipment
Espresso Machine
The first step for an independent coffee shop is sourcing coffee beans that will give your drinks the distinct, fresh flavor that will define your brand. The second step is choosing an espresso machine that allows you to transform those beans into lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, and other specialty drinks. These espresso-based drinks will not only draw in customers, but they will boost your revenue more than selling cup after cup of plain, black coffee.
- Recommended Quantity: 1
- Shop Commercial Espresso Machines
Espresso Grinder
Grinding your beans in-house and throughout the day is the key to creating the best drinks possible. In fact, grinding beans even 10 minutes prior to brewing can result in a noticeable decline in the flavor. But, why does freshly grinding coffee beans make such a difference? It increases the surface area of the bean and gives you access to the rich oils and soluble particles that create the distinct taste and aroma of different brews. Espresso grinders are designed to make the ultra-fine grind that espresso machines require to work properly.
- Recommended Quantity: 2 (regular, decaf)
- Shop Commercial Espresso Grinders
Regular Coffee Grinder
Although customers who order specialty drinks will far outnumber the ones who prefer regular, black coffee, it's important to accommodate all of your customers! A single grinder for both regular and decaf drip coffee can generally keep up with the lesser demand for this type of drink.
- Recommended Quantity: 1
- Shop Commercial Coffee Grinders
Coffee Brewers
While one regular coffee brewer should be sufficient for the average coffee shop, there are plenty of types to choose from. Automatic brewers and pour over coffee machines are two of the many ways to brew and serve coffee. While these typically brew into decanters, there are also coffee urns, airpot brewers, and satellite brewers, which brew into vessels that can keep coffee hotter for longer. These are great options for a self-serve station.
- Recommended Quantity: 1 Brewer
- Shop Commercial Coffee Brewers
Iced Tea Brewers
From traditional iced tea to unsweetened lemon tea to southern sweet tea, iced tea is a classic drink that customers love to sip in the summertime. You can purchase an independent tea brewer dedicated to this type of beverage, but depending on the size of your coffee shop, you may also want to look into combination coffee and tea brewers to save on counter space. Once you've made tea, there are plenty of dispenser options to choose from as well.
- Recommended Quantity: 1 Brewer; 1 Dispenser
- Shop Commercial Tea Brewers
Hot Water Dispensers
Although many coffee machines come with a built-in hot water faucet, a standalone hot water dispenser can increase your volume of boiling water and even clear up traffic jams caused by someone trying to make coffee and fill multiple mugs with hot water for tea at the same time. Since hot water is also used for many cleaning tasks, having hot water at the pull of a lever can also cut down on the time it takes to perform routine cleaning throughout the day.
- Recommended Quantity: 1
- Shop Commercial Hot Water Dispensers