NEWS
EQUIPMENT decisions The question often asked by people wanting to start, or upgrade, a coffee shop is, “what equipment do I need?” We canvassed the views of some of the sector’s suppliers. GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT “Your coffee shop equipment requirements will be based on your menu, which in turn is dependent on your customers. Researching and understanding your target market will help you determine the equipment needs. Additionally, the type of coffee business will determine your equipment needs. For example, if you are planning a mobile coffee kiosk or cart, your equipment will need to consider the available services – such as water and power supply,” says Fracino’s Peter Atmore. “You would also need to consider your available budget and how you plan to fund the equipment purchase. Finance companies are often wary of funding used equipment, for instance. 26 CAFÉ LIFE | THECAFELIFE.CO.UK
“Your espresso machine is likely to be the heart of your coffee shop venture, so you must have a quality espresso machine that will meet the highest demands of your business throughout the day. “Depending on the level of business that you will have throughout the day, you may consider having a two group or three group espresso machine. Each espresso machine requires some type of plumbing and a certain amount of energy. This is particularly important for mobile coffee kiosks and coffee trailers or vans. “Consult the advice of a reputable supplier for the best model and specification to suit your requirements. Fracino manufacture their very extensive range of models here in the UK, so
technical support and spare parts are always readily available and the extensive distributor network ensures a local supplier to provide great aftersales support and expert knowledge and advice.” Most espresso machines also provide water at, or close, to boiling point for making tea and other non-coffee hot drinks. However, if you are likely to be selling a large number of these types of beverages you should consider investing in a ‘stand-alone’ water boiler, suggest Fracino. “This will ensure that your coffee drink production isn’t held up at peak times waiting for the espresso machine to keep up with the large volume of hot water, and ensures that your hot water is constantly available,” says Peter Atmore.
