If you work in a large workspace, you’re probably already well aware of how annoying it is when the facilities don’t cater for the size. Everything from the capability of the internet network to the coffee station can be super important to keeping things moving in a large shared space.
When it comes to something like coffee, the bigger the office gets, the harder it becomes to keep everyone happy. For every person who wants a strong espresso, another wants a barista-level flat white. Someone else drinks decaf, while another prefers tea altogether. That is why choosing a coffee machine for the office is more about creating a set-up that accommodates different people rather than a machine that can do it all.
Here at Corporate Coffee, we’re experts in finding the best office coffee solutions for a wide range of businesses. Large businesses always have a lot to consider, so below, we’ll walk you through our tips to keep everyone happy.
Start With the People, Then Look at the Headcount
When businesses choose an office coffee machine, headcount is usually the first consideration. It should definitely be a consideration, but it is really only part of the picture because a workplace of 100 people does not necessarily have 100 identical coffee drinkers.
Your team may include people from different cultural backgrounds, age groups and working styles, all with their own preferences around coffee. Typically, you’ll have your coffee lovers who drink several coffees throughout the day, as well as a bunch who only have one. Some might prefer milk-based drinks, while others drink their coffee black and then there may also be employees who avoid caffeine altogether, and those who only want it to offer to visiting clients.
You can give out employee surveys to get the full picture of their workforce’s coffee habits and make decisions from there, like going for a large machine or a number of smaller ones with more variety.
What Makes the Best Coffee Machine for Large Office Workplaces?
There is no single machine that will automatically be the best coffee machine for large office environments. The right choice will obviously depend on how your workplace operates, like if your team has time to make a full barista-style drink in an office or they’re on their feet and need a quick cup in a healthcare facility.
Speed & Capacity
A coffee machine that works well for four people can struggle when dozens of employees are using it throughout the day. In a large office, coffee orders tend to come in waves, too, especially around the start of the day, after lunch and between meetings. The machine you choose needs enough water and beans to handle those periods without constant refilling or long waits between cups.
A large coffee machine with a high-capacity water system, generous bean hopper and automated brewing can make a noticeable difference here. It keeps preparation simple and means the machine can cope with heavier use without someone having to keep stopping to top it up.
Variety Matters Too
Choice is important when you are trying to create a workplace coffee station that caters to everyone. Try not to just offer one default coffee style, but instead consider a machine that can accommodate different preferences. Espresso, long black, flat white, cappuccino and milk-based options can give employees more freedom to make something they actually enjoy.
Some workplaces might like to combine the main machine with an additional brewing option that can make even more sense. For example, artisanal filter coffee can give people who prefer a lighter, slower brew another option without complicating the main coffee station.
Think Beyond Caffeine
To keep things really inclusive at your office coffee station, you’ll also need to consider the people who want to avoid caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee, alternative milk options and hot water for tea can all broaden the appeal of the space. You do not necessarily need a huge menu of choices. The point is to avoid designing the entire set-up around one type of coffee drinker. Even something like making decaf clearly available can make the station feel more considered.
One Machine or Multiple Stations?
Again, try not to think in numbers of people in your office and more about whether the set-up makes sense for the way people use the building. A single, high-capacity machine can be a good fit for a central kitchen or breakout space, when most employees work from the same area. It keeps everything in one place, makes servicing easier and gives people a natural spot to stop for a coffee.
But you might need to approach things a little differently when the workforce is spread across several floors or departments, as that same machine can become inconvenient. In that case, it may make more sense to have one main machine handling most of the demand, with smaller machines positioned where people are working throughout the day.
Of course, the right set-up will look different for medium offices and extra-large offices. Even a small office coffee machine can be all you need when the team is working from one compact space. For larger workplaces, look beyond the number of employees and consider where they sit, where they take breaks and how far they need to walk for a coffee.
Don’t Forget the Coffee Itself
Even the best coffee machine for large office environments cannot compensate for poor-quality beans. The coffee you put into the machine has a huge influence on the final cup. Businesses can experiment with different blends, roast levels and origins to find something that suits the majority while still offering alternatives for people with different tastes.
Working with a local coffee roastery or exploring different coffee brands can also turn the coffee station into something employees look forward to rather than simply another workplace utility. It is also worth understanding how long coffee beans last when purchasing beans in larger quantities. Buying too much at once can undermine the quality you were trying to achieve in the first place.
Maintenance Is Part of the Set-Up
Large office machines get put to the test. That means maintenance should be planned from the beginning rather than treated as an emergency task. A workplace should have a clear process for cleaning the machine, replenishing beans and milk, emptying waste containers and reporting problems.
Professional support can also be invaluable for high-use equipment. Having access to technical service for your coffee machine means issues can be addressed before a minor fault turns into an office-wide coffee crisis. Good practices around maintaining office coffee machines and implementing office coffee etiquette also helps protect the quality and reliability of the equipment over time.
Key Takeaways
A successful coffee station gives employees choice without overwhelming them, handles busy periods without constant queues and remains simple enough for everyone to use. It recognises that not everybody drinks coffee in the same way and that is precisely the point.
When it comes to choosing a machine, think holistically about the space and your team. The perfect coffee machine for your office size is the one that fits your workflow, supports different preferences and makes the daily coffee ritual a little easier for everyone. Because in a large office, keeping everyone happy just requires giving people a coffee set-up that leaves room for everyone.
Get in touch with the team at Corporate Coffee to discuss a solution for your large office coffee station.
