Updated May 2026 · Equipment

Office coffee equipment buying guide.

The right office coffee equipment depends on three variables: headcount, drink-style mix (drip vs espresso vs cold brew), and whether the equipment doubles as a client-facing brand asset. For most offices over 25 employees, a bean-to-cup machine (Eversys, Franke, Cafection) is the sweet spot, café-grade quality, remote-tunable by your service provider, and bundled into the per-employee rate by most managed programs.

The four equipment categories

1. Drip coffee makers

Industrial drip machines (Bunn AXIOM, Curtis G4, Fetco CBS) brew 1–3 gallons per cycle, run on water lines or pour-over, and serve 25–150 people without strain. Coffee quality is fine but unremarkable, good for cost-conscious programs and offices where coffee isn\'t a brand statement. Equipment cost: $400–$1,500.

2. Bean-to-cup automatic espresso

Eversys Cameo, Franke A300/A600, Cafection Encore, Schaerer Coffee Art Plus. Grinds beans on demand, brews espresso and milk drinks (lattes, cappuccinos), touchscreen interface, remote diagnostics. The default for serious office programs in 2026. Equipment cost: $8–$15K. Provider almost always amortizes or rents free with service.

3. Traditional espresso machines

La Marzocco Linea Mini, Slayer Espresso, Synesso. Café-grade semi-automatic machines requiring a trained operator (barista), overkill for most offices unless you have a dedicated coffee program or client-facing role. Equipment cost: $8–$25K plus the barista. Niche category.

4. Kegerators (cold brew, kombucha, sparkling)

Two-tap and four-tap kegerators for cold brew coffee, kombucha, nitro coffee, and sparkling water. Brands: KOMOS, GrowlerWerks. Increasingly common in healthy-program offices. Equipment cost: $2–$4K for two-tap. Excellent for offices with summer-cold-drink demand.

Matching equipment to office size

25–50 employees: One bean-to-cup machine (Eversys Cameo or Franke A300) + a basic drip backup. Single kegerator optional.
50–150 employees: One full-size bean-to-cup (Franke A600 or Cafection Encore) + one drip + a two-tap kegerator.
150–300 employees: Two bean-to-cup machines (different floors), two drip stations, two-tap kegerator, plus a small specialty espresso option for client meetings.
300+ employees: Multiple coffee bars, micro-market integration, possibly a staffed coffee bar in the lobby for client-facing reception.

Equipment ownership models

Provider-owned, included with service

Most common in 2026. The provider supplies and maintains the equipment as part of your per-employee-per-day rate. No upfront cost, no amortization, no switching cost. This is the right default for most offices.

Provider-amortized over contract term

Avoid this if possible. The equipment cost is amortized over a 2–3 year contract; switching providers before the end of the term means paying the unamortized balance. Creates lock-in.

Buyer-owned

You buy the equipment outright; provider services it. Useful if you want full control or anticipate switching providers frequently. Upfront cost is real but you eliminate switching friction.

Water and electrical requirements

Bean-to-cup machines need a dedicated 20-amp circuit and a water line with filtration (3M, Pentair, Cuno standard). Espresso machines often need 30-amp circuits. Kegerators need a standard 110V outlet plus floor drainage in some configurations. Confirm your office\'s breakroom electrical and plumbing match the equipment spec before signing, most install delays stem from this.

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Equipment FAQs

What's the best office coffee machine for a 50-person office? +

A bean-to-cup machine like the Eversys Cameo or Franke A300 is the sweet spot, true café-grade espresso and milk drinks, dialed remotely by the service rep, ~$8–$15K equipment cost that providers typically amortize into the per-employee rate. Drip systems work but feel like a downgrade for wellness-conscious offices.

When does an espresso machine make sense vs drip? +

Espresso (bean-to-cup or semi-automatic) makes sense when 30%+ of your team drinks espresso-based drinks (lattes, cappuccinos), or when the office is client-facing and the coffee bar is a brand asset. Below 30% espresso demand, drip + a small specialty option is more efficient.

Should we get a kegerator for cold brew? +

For offices over 75 employees with a significant cold-coffee or kombucha drinker base, yes. A two-tap kegerator (one cold brew, one kombucha or sparkling) costs $2–$4K and delivers a better experience than canned alternatives at lower per-serving cost.

Do providers usually include equipment in their service fee or charge separately? +

Most managed-program providers bundle equipment into the per-employee-per-day rate or rent it free with a service agreement. Beware contracts that amortize equipment over a fixed term, that creates switching costs. Always ask for the equipment cost broken out so you understand the lock-in.

What's the right water filtration for office coffee equipment? +

Most modern bean-to-cup and espresso machines require dedicated water filtration to handle hardness and chlorine. Standard spec: 3M, Pentair, or Cuno filters with carbon + softener stages. Filtration is included with most service agreements but verify cartridge replacement cadence (usually every 6 months).

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