Coffee Shops Equipment List

Opening a coffee shop can be extremely profitable if you do it right. Pass by any busy specialty coffee shop and it will likely be full of customers enjoying coffee, espresso, lattes, teas, and a variety of pastries and other goodies. Wi-Fi and other work-friendly features have become commonplace as well, as coffee shops frequently serve as meeting hubs. It is important to find Coffee Shops Equipment List

Serving quality coffees and snacks in a trendy, relaxing atmosphere can be a hugely successful endeavor—a business model pioneered by Starbucks, which as of 2021 has grown to nearly 33,000 coffeehouse locations around the world.

If you love coffee and are looking for a business opportunity, this is your guide to starting a coffee shop and making it a success.

Your coffee shop equipment list

1. Automatic drip coffee makers
2. A high-quality espresso machine
3. An industrial coffee grinder
4. POS system and website
5. Curbside pickup supplies
6. Milk and water
7. Industrial blenders
8. Ovens and toasters
9. Refrigerators and freezers
10. Shelving
11. Containers, pumps, and storage
12. A security System

1. Automatic drip coffee makers

Since standard black coffee will account for a good portion of your store’s sales, you’ll want a coffee maker that pulls its weight. Your coffee maker should be durable enough to produce a high quantity of coffee per day, quick enough to meet demand at the busiest times of the day (usually mornings), and large enough to produce sizable batches of coffee (so that you aren’t always brewing coffee throughout the day).

Coffee shops often have multiple coffee makers making different blends at the same time, but be careful not to stretch yourself too thin. Most successful coffee shop owners suggest keeping three or four blends available at a time.

2. A high-quality espresso machine

Many typical coffee drinks contain espresso, so you’ll need an excellent espresso machine. Unfortunately, the industrial espresso machine market is sprawling and some of the higher quality machines might give you sticker shock. It’s important to understand what makes a good espresso machine and how to get the best value when you find the right one.

3. An industrial coffee grinder

Since most coffee shops use unground beans to make the freshest coffee possible, you’ll want to add an industrial coffee grinder to your coffee shop equipment list. Investing in the right grinder can make all the difference in the flavor profiles and the aroma of your coffee or espresso.

4. POS system and website

A POS system does more than just ring up sales. A coffee shop POS can help you keep track of your inventory, monitor your business’s analytics and profits, manage employees, and take payments anywhere.

As a modern-day coffee shop, you’ll need a POS that will let you sell across channels. Whether that means integrations with third-party delivery platforms, a restaurant eCommerce store, or online ordering capabilities, you’ll want a solution that’s flexible for the 2021 customer. Your POS should streamline online, phone, and in-person orders so that you’ll never miss an opportunity for a sale.

5. Curbside pick up supplies

Turns out curbside pickup isn’t just a COVID-only trend: 59% of consumers are more likely to use curbside pickup following the pandemic. That means you’ll need to have plenty of drink holders and paper bags on hand to make sure your customers can carry their orders home.

6. Milk and water

We cheated a little on this one. While they’re not technically “equipment,” the right liquids can make a huge difference in the quality of your drinks.

Milk: Different types of milk can drastically change the taste of your coffee. You’ll also want to consider stocking dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk for those with dietary restrictions.

Water: You may need to add a good filtration system to your list in order to extend the life of your espresso machine and improve the taste of your coffee (which, by the way, is 98% water). If your water’s mineral content is too high, it can ruin your equipment.

7. Industrial blenders

In 2019, a consumer survey found that 38% of cafe customers are ordering blended drinks more often. You’ll need at least one blender to capitalize on this trend.

Don’t be shocked if the best blenders run up your budget. It’s better to buy equipment that won’t break when your store starts making hundreds of frozen drinks daily.

8. Ovens and toasters

If your coffee shop has a small selection of hot food, which one survey found is the case with at least 60% of coffee shops, you’ll need a reliable way to prepare your food quickly.

Most coffee shops serve breakfast sandwiches, or at least bagels and pastries, which means you’ll need either a conveyor toaster or a pop-up toaster.

If you have frozen breakfast sandwiches, similar to big chains like Starbucks, you’ll want a quick but compact oven (or two) that baristas have easy access to.

9. Refrigerators and freezers

When you open your coffee shop, you’ll need a way to keep your food and dairy products fresh. Refrigerated display cases and counter fridges behind the counter are must-haves.

Remember that fridges are a big part of your coffee shop’s design, so they should look sleek and match your shop’s overall vibe. If you need design inspiration, Pinterest is a great place to look.

Similarly, you’ll most likely need freezers in two places: behind the counter and in the back where inventory is stored. Frozen food that can be flash-baked in the oven should be kept up front for baristas to have easy access for orders. Since frozen food is easy to store and has a long shelf life, you should store extras in the back so you don’t run out.

10. Shelving

Shelving isn’t the only storage you’ll have to have. Boxes and crates are also handy to have for storing your beans and other inventory. Pump and containers are essential for storing all your syrups and toppings.

Without an organized storage system, your business won’t run as smoothly, cutting into profits in the long run. We suggest partnering with a local or reliable restaurant supply retailer to plan your system out carefully.

11. Containers, pumps, and storage

Since coffee shops require the use of a large number of beans and a huge selection of drink toppings, you must have the hardware to effectively use and store these items. This means pumps for all the syrups, boxes and crates to conveniently store coffee beans near your coffee makers and simple answers to all the storage issues that plague some coffee shops.

If you don’t have an effective system for storage, your business will run less efficiently, driving you and your employees crazy, as well as diminishing profits over the long run. Partner with a local or reliable restaurant supply retailer, buy in bulk and plan your system out carefully and effectively.

12. A security system

Every business needs a security system to deter crime and keep employees and customers safe. This may include security equipment such as cameras and burglar alarms (both in the coffee shop and on the front and back doors). To be extra secure, invest in employee management tools to prevent your staff from lifting cash from the register.

There are a lot of different security systems out there, so you’ll want to find a company that comes with years of experience. Profit loss from theft is something you shouldn’t have to deal with when opening your new store.

Finding the right tools that bring your coffee shop to life

Once you’ve finalized your coffee shop equipment list, you’re free to focus on the other things that come with starting a business: hiring your cashiers and baristas, designing your coffee shop floor plan and merchandise and creating a recognizable brand. With the right tools and equipment in place, your coffee shop will have a strong foundation to become a success. If you want to learn more about how iconicERP can help you run your coffee shop with ease, talk to one of our experts!

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