Office Coffee Services
If you run an office, you probably have a means by which employees can obtain their daily caffeine fix through offering coffee, along with a wide range of other products containing the substance. Whether your office is big or small, you have probably considered how you will provide this service to your employees.
If you run an office, you are probably responsible for a host of tasks, some that are vital to the entire operation, and others that seem vital to your employees. Overseeing that a coffee service is put in place is likely one of these tasks that, while certainly not vital to the corporation, can be important to those who work around you and wish to receive their office coffee on a daily basis. The one you choose will depend greatly on the size of your office, the number of people employed there, and whether or not you are surrounded by other establishments that may prove competitive for your staffs' attention.
If your office is small, you may choose to simply purchase a standard office coffee machine that will satisfy everyone in your particular area. If your office employs a significant number of people, however, you may consider providing a larger coffee service, usually in the form of a vending machine or small concession offering coffee and other hot beverages. No matter the size of your office, there are several office coffee services available to you that can help meet the needs of everyone, while making the work day a bit smoother in the process.
When offering office coffee services in an office environment, you will be presented with a variety of machines from which to choose. Whether you wish to offer only plain coffee, or expand your services to espresso, hot chocolate, and other types of hot beverages, you should have no problem finding a company that can best fit your office coffee needs. Below is a brief description of some of the services offered by most companies. What a particular company offers may even help you decide whether or not it is the one you will choose.
If you are planning on only offering regular coffee, you might consider purchasing a standard office coffee machine. Depending on the size of your office staff, you may choose one that makes the same amount as the machine that is probably in most homes, or one that makes a larger amount at one time. While you certainly don't have to necessarily purchase such a machine from a company that specializes in coffee services, doing so is still an option. This is especially true if you are looking to buy one that brews a larger amount at one time.
Another option is an espresso machine. Today, more and more people are choosing this over regular coffee, though it is often a good idea to offer both. Some office coffee machines are actually designed to make both regular coffee and espresso, so you might consider that as an option as well. By offering espresso, you are increasing your chances of pleasing everyone in your office, and decreasing the likelihood of your employees going elsewhere to find cappuccino or espresso.
Another option is to add a vending machine that will offer employees an array of coffee products, along with various other hot beverages as well. These may include espresso, hot chocolate, and hot water for steeping tea. These machines are common in most large office settings, as they are designed to suit a variety of likes and dislikes.
When you are choosing a company, you will probably base a good part of your decision on the services you wish to receive, and compare it with those offered by each of the possibilities. While many companies may offer some of the same products and services, it is important to keep in mind that some may differ according to size and location.
The standard coffee machine is offered by most companies, which will provide coffee services to even the smallest of organizations. If you are looking to offer your employees espresso, you can find a host of machines that will suit your needs.
In addition to offering the stand-alone machines, many companies also offer vending machines that are equipped to dispense various hot beverages, including: coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccino, and hot water for making tea. The coffee service company will also provide the cups, stirrers, and a variety of beverage condiments. Most coffee service companies also offer bottled water, along with the cooler for dispensing it. Snack and soda machines may also be acquired through some of the same companies.
When you choose a coffee service, you will have the option of customizing it. Here, you will be presented with a variety of different machines from which to choose. Your final decision will most likely depend on the features you need, and which machine or machines meet your specifications. If there are several machines that offer the features you desire, you will have to narrow it down even further. Price may be a factor, as well as size.
If you run a large establishment, you might consider installing a snack bar that will include the various types of coffee, other beverages, and popular foods for both lunch and snack purposes. Many coffee service companies can also assist you in purchasing the products that will help you get started. Your concession provisions can be as small or large as you choose to make them, given that you have the space and such allowances are made. Again, the brand or brands of the machines you choose to incorporate doesn't matter, as long as they include the features you prefer, and meet the needs of your employees.
There is a wide variety of coffee machines offered by many coffee service companies that are designed to fit many needs. The one you choose can depend greatly on the size of your office and number of staff employed there. For example, if you only have a staff of ten, you would probably not want to purchase a vending machine. Instead, you could probably meet the needs of everyone by buying a standard coffee machine that makes 12 cups at a time. While you would not need to purchase this from a company specializing in coffee service products, you might actually get a better deal on the machine and supplies if you do. Often, those working in a small office will pool money for making smaller purchases from local stores or take turns purchasing the coffee, but you may find that you can save some money by using a service company, especially if you are planning on adding snacks and sodas.
The coffee menu you are able to offer will depend on the type of machine or machines you purchase. If you only offer regular coffee, you menu would most likely consist of caffeinated and decaffeinated; however, if you offer espresso and other types of gourmet coffees, you menu would be more extensive. If you employee a large staff, you might consider offering a wide variety of coffee options, so as to accommodate as many different tastes and please as many people as possible.
It is often helpful to post your menu in the vicinity of your machines. If you will offer coffee via a vending machine, you will probably want to post a copy of the menu on the front of the machine, or somewhere beside it. This will give employees easy access to the menu. It is also helpful to make sure it is frequently updated, so that employees will be aware of any changes that may occur. This can be especially important if the company you use stops carrying a particular product and you are, therefore, unable to continuing offering it.
There are many different types of coffee, as well as a wide variety of brands. Before planning your menu, you will need to decide what you will carry. While doing this, it is a good idea to ask your staff what their preferences are, and go with the types and brands that are most preferred. This will, of course, also depend greatly on what is offered by the company you choose, but can also play a part in the decision-making process when deciding on a company.
Most coffee service companies also offer a variety of other services, as mentioned above. In addition to offering and servicing coffee machines, most companies also offer and service a wide range of snack and soda machines, as well as bottled water and water coolers. This is often convenient for many employers, as it is much easier to request maintenance and supplies as needed than to actually purchase each product individually when it is needed. It also means being able to stock up on supplies, which can sometimes save you money in the long run.
In addition to these services, many companies also offer vending machine repair. If someone is sent out to repair a vending machine and the costs will outweigh the benefit, the machine can then be replaced both quickly and easily. This can be especially helpful if you have more than one vending machine in your office or building that is serviced by the same company. Again, this can help cut down on cost as well as save time. It can also take some of the stress off of you.
Before making a decision as to the services you will offer, you will want to consider the size of your staff. You will also want to think about how many of them will actually be interested in this service. If you employ a staff of 15, but only five drink coffee, purchasing a coffee vending machine would probably not be the most practical option. If, on the other hand, your staff consists of 20 people, ten of whom drink coffee, five of whom drink sodas, and the remaining five prefer bottled water, you might consider looking into offering these services on a smaller scale. While you certainly can't make everyone happy, you can try to appeal to the various tastes of your employees. The sizes and amounts you offer will, naturally, depend on the size of your staff and their interest in these services.
As a selling point, you might even consider changing the menu on a semi-regular basis, provided this doesn't get to expensive. This would allow your employees to try different types of coffees and other products, and would keep the idea fresh. You might also consider running a poll to find out what people do and don’t like, and which products you should and shouldn't keep.
One of the most important factors in choosing a coffee service company is location. This is especially important if you will offer several services to your staff. You also want to consider the delivery of products. This should be as easy as possible, so choosing an office coffee vending company that is in a location nearest you might be a good idea.
Another important consideration is finding a company that offers the services you wish to provide. This may involve a bit of shopping around and making comparisons, but it will be worth it in the end if it actually saves you money. It is important to note here that though many companies require you to be in close proximity in order to make deliveries and repairs, but this is not always the case.
Cost is another factor to consider when choosing an office coffee service company. It is a good idea to weigh the services with the cost, but to also compare the services and costs offered by different companies. You can do this by searching the Internet for companies in your area, or by searching the
Yellow Pages for a list of companies. Before deciding, carefully consider the terms of each company and be sure you can meet them.