How Much Does an Office Coffee Delivery Service Cost?
Last Updated: January 10, 2022
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"I believe humans get a lot done, not because we're smart, but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee." ~Flash Rosenberg
A good cup of "Joe" is iconic symbol of a day at the office. It is a perky, any time of day luxury that many businesses offer to employees, guests, customers, or clients. It gets people stimulated and alert so they can be their most productive self.
Coffee services offer the following products:
- Coffee- gourmet, flavored, organic, decaffeinated
- Assorted teas, hot chocolate (some even offer instant soup or oatmeal)
- Standard coffee machine, single serve coffee machine, or advanced brewing systems that are installed and linked directly to a source of hot water.
- K cup coffee (individually fractioned packs "Frac Pacs") in a variety of brands and flavors
- Creamers, sweeteners, stirrers, cups, lids, filters, etc.
- Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly delivery schedules
Coffee Service Average Costs #
Prices for some brewing equipment can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Many of our vendors provide brewing equipment at no charge. It is simply a matter of returning the equipment, if and when you discontinue the service.
In some cases, coffee suppliers offer the equipment rent free with a minimum monthly purchase. If you do not require the minimum monthly purchase you may instead opt to pay a small rental equipment fee. On average, the cost for that will be $30 to $50 per month.
Coffee Prices #
The bulk of the cost for an office coffee service is mostly from the price of the coffee purchased. On average, the overall cost will range from $50 to $125 per employee, per year. Listed below are the average costs for specific office coffee items and supplies.
- A case of pre-ground coffee bags; typically 24-48 count will cost an average of $20 to $50. You can expect to pay more for higher count cases, or if the coffee is premium or organic (i.e. 64-count case of organic coffee can range from $75 to $90).
- Cases of individual K-cups (single-cup coffees or teas) can range from $35 to $70 per 42-count case. Again, cost will be higher for premium organic blends.
- A 25-100 count box of tea can range in cost from $4 to $10; it will cost more for higher end tea or higher count cases.
- A box of hot chocolate, depending on size, will cost between $10 to $20
Coffee Supplies #
Some office coffee services include the cost for the latter consumables within your service contract; some will not. Some of these additional items include:
- Cups
- Lids
- Creamers
- Stirrers
- Sugars
- Artificial Sweeteners
Small quantity cases, 50 to 250 count, of cups, lids, creamers, stirrers, sugars, and artificial sweeteners will cost an extra $5 to $25 per month.
Why Use a Coffee Delivery Service? #
A coffee delivery service improves overall employee morale. People notice the little things that make work more enjoyable, such as a coffee area with a consistent coffee supply they can readily access. Even those who don't drink coffee can enjoy the ciders, hot chocolate, and tea that coffee delivery services supply. And with access to these perks at the office, employees are less likely to go on coffee runs and use valuable work time.
People who want coffee or tea are going to get it, regardless of whether you provide it for them. Giving employees a way to get their caffeine (or decaf) fix at the office keeps them at work and appreciative of what you have to offer. Doing this with a delivery service brings you the benefits of set costs, constant supplies, and simple ordering processes.
What Are the Benefits of a Coffee Delivery Service? #
Offering your employees coffee, tea, and other beverages through a delivery service brings a host of benefits, some of which include:
- Employee connections: When employees socialize at work, it often leads to an open office culture where they feel comfortable communicating and collaborating with one another. While you don't want your employees to spend all of their time socializing, coffee breaks have been shown to create cohesion among employees, allowing them to bond and share ideas. This is good for both your business and your employees.
- Improved productivity: Coffee is a daily ritual for many people; some drink it to wake them up in the morning, others to keep them alert or focused throughout the day, and some purely because they enjoy the taste of coffee. Giving employees in-building access to coffee keeps them awake and refreshed, which means they keep working. This also prevents them from getting their coffee elsewhere and disrupting their productivity.
- Time savings: It is common for workers in any field to take a break to get some coffee or tea, but this often means leaving the place of work to do so. When you have a ready supply of coffee at the office, however, employees don't need to leave for it.
In addition, having in-house coffee also helps when it comes to clients. Offering coffee or tea is an easy way to extend hospitality to your guests, making them feel welcome and valued.
How Much Coffee Do You Need? #
To figure out how much coffee you need, you need to first figure out how many coffee drinkers you employ (as well as those who would be interested in hot chocolate or teas) and their average consumption. So if you have 15 employees that each drink two or three cups of coffee a day, you would need to be able to brew an average of 210 to 315 cups each week. But remember that busy seasons, looming deadlines, and other stressful situations may increase coffee consumption.
You need to decide whether it is better for you to offer coffee by the pot or in pods. Many people enjoy pods, because it allows them to make a single cup of coffee or tea whenever they want it. However, if you employ a lot of coffee drinkers, it is often more cost-efficient to offer coffee by the pot. A single pot of coffee is about 12 cups, which requires around 4 ounces of ground coffee. Realistically, the amount and type of coffee you offer depends on your employees and workplace.