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Essential Coffee Shop Equipment List: Equipment Needed to Start a Coffee Shop
Realize your coffee shop dreams by using this coffee shop equipment guide to build your equipment list and plan your budget.
Tyler MartinezAuthor
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Barista Training Checklist
Use this checklist to help streamline your barista training process and ensure that your new baristas get off to a great start.
Get free downloadEssential Coffee Shop Equipment List (Appliances, Tools, Essentials)
Complex coffee drinks, espresso drinks, delicate latte art, and frappes with sweeteners require skilled baristas and specialty machines. Outfit your new coffee shop with the right equipment for your small business and budget to provide the best possible customer experience.
Espresso machines and coffee brewers are some of your biggest investments, and maintaining them is key. As a part of your coffee shop’s business plan, use this equipment guide to list essentials for your operations and restaurant equipment budget.
Coffee Shop Business Plan Template
Use this free coffee shop business plan template to easily create a great business plan that organizes your vision and helps you start, grow, or raise funding for your coffee shop.
What equipment do you need in a coffee shop
Whipping up gorgeous lattes and frothy cappuccinos requires specialized commercial equipment. Equipment more advanced than what’s required for just a simple cup of coffee. Start your shopping list here.
Coffee brewing equipment
Espresso machine
Drip coffee makers
Grinders
Pour over equipment
Cold brew toddy
Blenders
Coffee bar accessories
Ovens, ranges, and grills
Ventilation
Microwaves
Freezers and refrigerators
Ice maker
Food and coffee prep surfaces
Prep equipment
Knives
Cutting boards
Pots and pans
Mixing bowls
Food processors
Mixers
Storage and shelving
Etc.
Safety equipment
Gloves
Aprons
First aid kit
Date labels
Sani-buckets
Bar rags
Food grade detergents
Chemical safety data sheets
Sinks
Compartment sinks
Disposal sinks
Handwashing sinks
Restaurant point of sale system
Kitchen display system (KDS)
Servicewear
Paper cups and take-out plates
Utensils
Napkins or linens
Hot water dispenser
Display cases
Barista Training Checklist
Use this checklist to help streamline your barista training process and ensure that your new baristas get off to a great start.
How much does equipment for a coffee shop cost
Opening a coffee shop can cost about $80,000-$400,000 according to industry leader Crimson Cup. The wide investment range reflects the variety of business models that coffee shop owners take on, from indie third wave shops to massive franchises. To keep your budget in check, it can be helpful to explore restaurant financing options.
Things to consider before buying the right coffee shop equipment
Equipment is crucial to coffee quality, and investing in the right pieces is critical to the success of your business. Decide which pieces to prioritize and which you might compromise on when building a budget.
1. Quality
The quality of your equipment can directly impact the quality of your coffee. Consider the best possible investments for your coffee shop and select pieces that are fine-tuned and durable.
2. Space
Even the best baristas can’t work in a cramped bar. As you choose equipment for your coffee shop, think about how they’ll fit into the space you’ve designed.
3. Planning Your Kitchen
Work with your head barista or a professional kitchen planner to determine the layout of your equipment. This will ensure that your coffee shop runs smoothly and efficiently.
4. Use and Cleaning
Espresso machines and coffee brewers require regular maintenance. Train your staff to clean equipment properly so that it stays in top condition, and forge a relationship with a skilled espresso machine technician. Look out for the NSF symbol on food equipment, which ensures that they meet food safety certification standards.
5. Suppliers
Many towns and cities have local restaurant supply stores that offer premium ranges of commercial equipment at near-wholesale prices. The best suppliers will be honest about the technology and safety of the products they sell and provide everything you need – installation, maintenance, and repairs.
Sourcing Restaurant Equipment
Once you have a comprehensive list and a vision of your fully-equipped coffee shop, start shopping around. Local restaurant wholesalers often have good deals, or you might lease from a reputable online retailer or rent equipment until you can afford to invest.
New vs. Used Equipment
It may be a good bet to buy used equipment when it comes to expensive and essential pieces. Look for an oven or deep freezer that has been well maintained over the years–you’ll save a lot up front on your venture.
6. Pricing
Are you envisioning a grab-and-go spot or a cozy neighborhood coffee shop? Decide which equipment to prioritize based on your business model – splurge on the espresso machine to attract commuting hipsters or focus on ovens for your grandma’s baked good recipes.
7. Financing or Leasing
Financing or leasing equipment can be a good option, so you take on less risk until you’re sure your business model will succeed. Lease payments can be tax-deductible just like equipment purchases, and allow you to be financially liquid.
“Do you have everything you need? There’s a lot of stuff to buy. And finding out you forgot to buy knock boxes on opening day can turn into quite the headache. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for opening a cafe. The needs of an espresso bar in downtown Manhattan are going to be widely different from a drive-thru coffee shop in Texas. You’ve got to figure out what’s right for you."
Garrett Oden
Owner at Fresh Cup Mag
Ultimate coffee shop equipment checklist
1. Coffee brewing equipment
This is the heart of your shop and one of the primary investments you’ll make. Choose equipment that lets you deliver quality coffee and espresso drinks.
Espresso machine
Espresso machines brew coffee beans under about 9 bars of pressure, and their steam reserves are perfect for steamed frothing milk for beautiful cappuccinos and lattes. This specialized function comes at a specialized price, and requires maintenance to stay in excellent working condition.
Drip brewer
Drip coffee is a profit leader for many coffee shops. Invest in a high quality commercial brewer, consider attachments to ensure optimum water distribution, and spring for insulated coffee tanks that keep coffee fresh for hours.
Grinders
Coffee and espresso grinders are notoriously inconsistent and difficult to maintain. Conical burr grinders, which contain a pair of gears that crush rather than cut roasted coffee, are preferred to blade grinders for their consistency. Cleaning built-up grounds and oils from coffee grinders is crucial for their longevity.
Pour-over sets
Pour over coffee methods are popular because of the control they afford over the brewing process. Ceramic and glass V60 sets and classic Chemex pour overs are the two top contenders in most specialty coffee shops. They’re inexpensive but fragile, so should be handled with care.
Cold brew toddy or keg taps
Cold brew and iced coffee are staples of coffee shop menus. Brew your own cold brew with a toddy system, including a fine mesh water filtration system and a bucket with a spout. Some coffee shops source iced coffee and cold brew in kegs delivered by local coffee roasters.
Blenders
While they can be expensive, commercial blenders are reliable and powerful coffee machines that will allow your baristas to produce smoothies and frozen coffee creations.
2. Coffee bar accessories
Steam pitchers, bar spoons, espresso shot glasses, scales, water kettles, whisks, espresso tampers, and all the rest – these little necessities needed to craft drinks add up. Invest in quality accessories just as you would the rest of your cafe equipment.
3. Ovens, ranges, and grills
If you plan to offer food at your coffee shop, consider investing in commercial grade cooking surfaces and ovens. Induction burners are great space-savers if you plan to purchase a larger commercial convection oven. Grills are great for finishing sandwiches and burritos—grab-and-go fare that’s common in coffee shops.
4. Ventilation
Food prep spaces inevitably get steamy. Consider the size of your kitchen and ensure your ventilation system has enough power to keep smoke and hot air out.
5. Microwaves
Great for reheating or quickly steaming, microwaves are powerful kitchen tools that coffee shops often rely on to heat pastries.
6. Freezers and fridges
Dairy and dairy alternatives require considerable commercial freezer and refrigeration space. A walk-in cooler unit might be advisable, but some small coffee shops operate with several large coolers instead.
Refrigerators and freezers can last a long time if cleaned and maintained properly. The intake and exhaust of units get clogged with dust if not cleaned regularly…and grinding coffee makes coffee shops extra dusty.
Ice machine
An ice machine is essential for making cold drinks. Clean and maintain your ice maker, avoid contaminating ice with spilled liquid or broken glassware, and know how to properly clean the machine if you accidentally do.
7. Food (and coffee) prep surfaces
You need good countertops for baristas and cooks to work. Stainless steel, poured concrete, wood, and granite are all popular in kitchens because they’re durable and easy to sanitize.
8. Prep equipment
Small appliances, utensils, mixing bowls, etc. are all necessary for prep.
Knives
A good chef and her knife move as one – invest in a great set and sharpening stone, to keep them honed for safety, efficiency and durability.
Cutting boards
Quality cutting boards make a noticeable difference in the prep experience. Favorites include boards with lips around the edge to contain liquid, or boards with handles for easy maneuvering.
Pots and pans
While you may only need saucepans for making syrups and chai concentrate, it’s still good to invest in quality pieces.
Mixing bowls
Mixing bowls come in a variety of materials; plastic, stainless, ceramic, or glass. Decide which combination works for you.
Food processors
Food processors ensure that your sauces are smooth and that you can get an even mince in minutes.
Mixers
Stand mixers take the hard work out of making large batches of cookie dough and brownie batter.
Storage and shelving
Storing coffee in the proper way and at the proper time is crucial in coffee shops. Most specialty coffee packaging is nitrogen flushed and sealed with a valve, so that carbon dioxide can escape the bag. For long-term storage, place air and light-proof containers in a cool, dry spot. It’s good to let coffee breathe and oxidize a bit.
Etc.
This is probably the most important category – the rest! Coffee filters, portafilters, spoons, shakers, mixing cups…etc. etc. etc. The little things add up. So it’s crucial to plan and budget for them and buy backups.
9. Safety equipment
All restaurants are held to food safety standards and must have certain equipment on hand, such as:
Gloves
Aprons
First aid kits
Date labels
Sani-buckets
Bar rags
Food grade detergents
Chemical safety data sheets
10. Sinks
Compartment sinks
Three compartment sinks are a common way to meet food safety standards for washing and sanitizing cutlery, service ware, and kitchen equipment.
Disposal sinks
Disposal sinks (or bar sinks) are conveniently located to catch waste liquid. Another good option for a coffee bar is a rinser, that will easily clean pitcher and shot glasses.
Handwashing sinks
Dedicated handwashing sinks must be available in a kitchen space or on the coffee bar, so that employees can maintain safe food handling standards. Handwashing sinks should be available in restrooms as well.
11. Restaurant point of sale system
Restaurant point of sale systems provide a way to integrate inventory management, budgets, sales reports, and communication between the front- and back-of-house. They keep everything running smoothly with cutting-edge interfaces.
Cafe and Bakery POS Comparison Tool
A free, customizable Cafe and Bakery POS Comparison Tool to research and compare point of sale systems in one Excel spreadsheet or editable PDF.
12. Kitchen Display System (KDS)
Kitchen display systems let your baristas know what customers are ordering in real time. Your KDS also sends orders to cashiers from the bar. They’re integrated with your point-of-sale system to maintain smooth, efficient service.
13. Servicewear
Choose glassware, cutlery and dishes that are durable, but also capture the vibe and ambiance of your coffee shop. You’ll want paper boats or clamshells for take-out services. Utensils are an obvious need…just remember plastic cutlery adds up and permanent utensils are prone to being lost (or accidentally trashed) by customers and employees. And don’t forget napkins or linens for those coffee spills or crumbly pastries!
14. Hot water dispenser
This device provides a constant supply of hot water, essential for brewing tea, preparing instant beverages, and aiding in various kitchen tasks in a coffee shop. It ensures efficiency and speed, maintaining optimal water temperatures for consistent drink quality.
15. Display cases
Display cases are essential for showcasing baked goods, pastries, and beverages in a coffee shop, enhancing product visibility and enticing customers. They come in various types:
Refrigerated Display Cases: Ideal for perishable items like sandwiches and salads, these cases maintain the necessary cold temperatures to keep products fresh.
Non-Refrigerated Display Cases: Suitable for room-temperature items such as pastries and cakes, these cases keep products organized and accessible.
Glass Display Cases: Often used for both refrigerated and non-refrigerated items, glass cases provide a clear view of products, enhancing their appeal and allowing for easy browsing.
Countertop Display Cases: Compact and versatile, these cases are designed to fit on countertops, making them perfect for smaller spaces and quick access to high-selling items.
Wrapping up
Outfitting a coffee shop involves investing in essential equipment tailored to both the type of beverages you offer and the scale of your operation. Beyond the basics, careful planning for space, maintenance, and budget is crucial. Prioritizing durable and efficient equipment, considering both new and used options, and exploring financing or leasing can help manage costs effectively.
By tackling this head-on and investing wisely, you can set up a coffee shop that meets your vision and operational needs, paving the way for a successful and enjoyable startup.
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DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general informational purposes only, and publication does not constitute an endorsement. Toast does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, graphics, links, or other items contained within this content. Toast does not guarantee you will achieve any specific results if you follow any advice herein. It may be advisable for you to consult with a professional such as a lawyer, accountant, or business advisor for advice specific to your situation.
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