The Ultimate Office Coffee Service Checklist: What Your Workplace Needs

What would an office be without coffee? We don’t care to find out! The average office building goes through a lot of coffee each morning, as most employees enjoy at least a cup or two as they get the day started. Not only do the majority of workers drink coffee in the office, but 38% report that they wouldn’t make it through the day otherwise. 

Given the global popularity of this beverage, you may have some type of office coffee service already in place. But is that service living up to its potential? There are plenty of upgrades available to turn your coffee service into a well-rounded system that offers everyone exactly what they want and need. 

Don’t be overwhelmed by the prospect of building a new coffee program in your office. You don’t have to do it alone. InReach is among the leading office coffee service providers, and we will work as a trustworthy, experienced partner to make the process as easy as can be. Take a moment today to get in touch, and let’s work together to create the ultimate office coffee plan!

A Variety of Coffee Options

This is where it all starts. Variety is going to be a theme throughout the process of building a great coffee program in your office, and nowhere is that more important than with the actual types of coffee being offered. 

Everyone has their own taste for what makes a great cup of coffee. Some like a light roast, while others want it as dark as possible. Espresso options are appealing to individuals who want to pack more caffeine into each cup. Likewise, some will want no caffeine at all, so you need some decaf on hand. 

Beyond brew strength and caffeine levels, there are also specialty blends and single-origin products to consider. You’ll never be able to stock every possible type of coffee within your office cabinets, but the best office coffee service will cover as many different categories as possible.

High-Quality Equipment

Turning coffee beans into a great cup of joe isn’t an easy task. There are many types of equipment that can be used for this task, but whatever kind of gear you choose should be high-quality. While a small office may only need a single machine, bigger buildings will want to have a few options to pick from (both to cater to different preferences and to keep up with demand).

Single-cup brewers are excellent for convenience, and they enable you to keep even more variety on hand. Of course, traditional drip coffee machines still have a place in the office and are hard to beat if you have a lot of coffee drinkers to accommodate. You can also dive into the world of more upscale equipment by looking into espresso and bean-to-cup machines. 

A Selection of Other Beverages

While focused on building a great coffee experience, it’s easy to get lost and forget that not everyone drinks coffee. It might be hard for some to believe, but there are people out there who simply don’t like the taste of coffee or perhaps just prefer other drinks. 

This reality should factor into your coffee station planning. Tea is an excellent alternative to coffee and should be represented. Making other hot drinks like tea and cocoa available for those who don’t like coffee (or just want to switch things up) will make this office amenity even more popular than it was before. 

The Customization Station

Some coffee drinkers enjoy their beverages plain as-is when it comes out of the machine. But those individuals are the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, people like to customize their drinks through various additions, so you’ll want to have that piece of the puzzle in place. 

A good customization station starts with both dairy and non-dairy creamers. The non-dairy category is more popular than ever, so be sure not to overlook that element. Sweetening is also a big part of coffee drinking, and along with plain white sugar, you will also want to think about adding natural sweeteners like honey or agave. 

To open up even more possibilities, add flavored syrups to the selection. With options like vanilla, caramel, and mocha on the counter, workers will be able to make just about any drink they can imagine. Take it one step further and add containers of spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, and the sky will be the limit. 

Consider the Environment

Most of your focus on this coffee station project will be directed toward delivering a great experience for your people when they arrive at the office each morning. You should also take a moment, however, to consider the environment and how your coffee service impacts it. 

There are some easy steps you can take to reduce the environmental impact of coffee consumption. First, there are the cups. Either use compostable/recyclable cups or offer ceramic mugs that can be washed and used over and over again. Second, consider purchasing your coffee from brands with ethical sourcing and Fair Trade certifications. 

Design a Convenient and Accessible Layout

Even a coffee station that is stocked with a great assortment of products and machines might not live up to its potential if it isn’t convenient. Workers are busy, and they only have so much time to make a cup and get to their desks. 

Try to locate your coffee station centrally to make it easy for all employees to access it in the morning (and throughout the day). Within that space, make it easy to find everything that you offer. Clearly labeled drawers and cabinets will make it more likely that things get put back where they belong. Of course, you’ll need to have an established maintenance routine where the people in charge of cleaning the office will tidy up the coffee station and make sure it’s ready for tomorrow. 

Don’t Forget the Snacks!

Coffee is great on its own, but it’s even better with a tasty snack. These snacks can range from healthy to indulgent. Having food items near your coffee station makes a ton of sense, and options can include light choices like fruit and yogurt, all the way up to pastries, cookies, breakfast sandwiches, and beyond. 

An Amazing Coffee Program Is InReach

Upgrading your coffee program is one of the fastest and easiest ways to show your employees how much you care about their happiness in the office. Investing in your people is a decision that always pays off in business, and offering a great coffee experience is one of the most visible ways to do just that. 

You could try to piece together office coffee services on your own, but that will be a time-consuming process that might fall short of your expectations. Instead, trust the experts at InReach to guide you through the process. With our pros on the job, the coffee service you are left with will be loved by everyone in the building. 

Proudly part of Sodexo, InReach offers global reach, customized attention, and a large, growing buying network that keeps food costs low and quality high. Contact us today to learn more.