For many people, buying a takeaway coffee has become part of the daily routine.
A cappuccino before work.
A latte on the way to the office.
An afternoon coffee run with colleagues.
It feels like a small purchase, but those daily coffees soon add up.
For employers, the costs can be even greater. Time spent leaving the workplace, frequent café trips and lost productivity all have an impact that often goes unnoticed.
Could providing great coffee in the workplace be the smarter investment?
How Much Does a Daily Takeaway Coffee Cost?
Coffee prices have increased significantly in recent years, driven by rising production costs, supply chain pressures and higher demand worldwide.
A takeaway coffee costing around €5 may not seem expensive on its own, but over time the figures become much more significant.
For someone buying one coffee every working day:
- Around €25 per week
- Over €105 per month
- Approximately €1,275 per year (based on a five-day working week)
For regular café visitors buying two drinks a day, the annual cost can easily double.
The Hidden Cost for Employers
It’s easy to focus on the price of the coffee.
But many businesses overlook the hidden costs.
Every coffee run can involve:
- Walking to a nearby café
- Waiting in the queue
- Ordering drinks
- Walking back to the workplace
Multiply that across an entire team and those “quick coffee trips” can consume a surprising amount of working time.
Providing quality refreshments on site allows employees to enjoy the same break without needing to leave the workplace.
Why More Businesses Are Investing in Workplace Coffee
A commercial coffee machine isn’t simply an appliance.
It’s a workplace amenity that employees use every day.
Benefits include:
- Convenient access to quality coffee
- Less time spent leaving the office
- Better visitor refreshments
- A more enjoyable workplace environment
- Consistent drink quality
- Greater choice for tea and coffee drinkers
Unlike many employee perks, workplace refreshments deliver value every single working day.
Coffee That Costs Less Per Cup
One of the biggest surprises for many businesses is how affordable workplace coffee can be.
For example:
- Fresh bean-to-cup coffee can cost a lot less per cup, depending on the blend and recipe.
- FLAVIA drinks start from around 50p per drink, while still offering recognised brands such as Lavazza coffee and Twinings tea.
Compared with buying coffee from a café every day, the savings can be substantial for both employees and employers.
Choosing the Right Workplace Coffee Solution
Every workplace is different.
The best coffee machine depends on your team, available space and the types of drinks you want to provide.
Ideal for businesses looking for:
- Freshly ground coffee
- Café-style drinks
- Premium coffee quality
- High daily usage
Perfect for offices, meeting rooms and client-facing environments.
A great choice if your workforce enjoys variety.
Available drinks include:
- Lavazza coffee
- Twinings tea
- Herbal teas
- Hot chocolate
- Speciality coffee drinks
Ideal for mixed workplaces where not everyone drinks coffee.
Designed for busy workplaces that need:
- Fast service
- Low maintenance
- Reliable operation
- High-capacity drink production
Particularly popular in warehouses, factories and industrial environments.
It’s About More Than Saving Money
Providing quality workplace refreshments isn’t just about reducing café spending.
It also helps create a better workplace experience.
Employees appreciate:
- Good coffee
- Better tea
- Convenient refreshments
- Comfortable breakout areas
- Feeling valued
Visitors and clients notice these details too.
A quality coffee machine creates a more professional first impression while making meetings feel more welcoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to provide coffee in the workplace?
In most cases, yes. Commercial coffee machines typically produce drinks at a much lower cost per cup than buying takeaway coffee from a café.
What is the best office coffee machine?
The right machine depends on your business. Bean-to-cup machines are ideal for freshly ground coffee, FLAVIA systems offer a wide range of branded drinks, and KLIX machines are designed for high-demand workplaces.
Can workplace coffee help reduce café trips?
Yes. Many businesses find that providing high-quality coffee on site reduces the need for employees to leave the workplace to buy drinks.
Are workplace coffee machines worth the investment?
For many organisations, they are. Employees use them every day, visitors benefit from better refreshments, and businesses often save both time and money over the long term.
Final Thoughts
A daily takeaway coffee might feel like a small indulgence, but over the course of a year the costs can be surprisingly high.
For businesses, providing quality workplace refreshments offers a practical alternative that benefits both employees and the organisation.
Whether you choose a bean-to-cup coffee machine, a FLAVIA drinks system or a KLIX hot drinks machine, investing in workplace coffee is about more than serving great drinks.
It’s about saving time, reducing everyday costs and creating a workplace where people genuinely enjoy taking a break.
