It’s not only about making coffee. Starting a café is a combination of art, science, and business. You’ll have to make some important decisions in your journey, including choosing the right cafe equipment and commercial espresso machine. Consider it the soul and heart of your café. Get it right and you will be on your way to success.
This guide will take you through the complex world of commercial espresso machines and equipment. This article will help you make an informed choice when it comes to choosing the right coffee equipment for your cafe, whether you are a barista who is opening a café or a seasoned cafe owner. We will debunk the myths and unravel the complexities to help you run your cafe efficiently and profitably.
We have you covered. From espresso machines which guarantee a perfect crema each time, to grinders that will ensure consistency with every grind. Grab your favorite brew and join us on this caffeine-filled journey.
BUYING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY
If you are looking to set up your coffee equipment, then you will need a wholesaler that is experienced and can tailor a solution to meet your needs. A quality product is produced efficiently and profitably with the right setup. The most popular coffee equipment includes:
WE CAN ASSIST WITH BOTH
It is important to choose the best equipment and coffee machines for your new cafe. However, deciding on the right one can be difficult. It is important to trust a wholesaler who has experience in the coffee machine and equipment industry and regularly receives direct access from manufacturers and brand suppliers. Our team can guide you through all of your options.
Purchasing Coffee Equipment: When replacing old equipment, and you are certain about the type of equipment you need, buying a grinder, coffee machine and other accessories in full can seem the obvious option. You may be able buy certain models online. However, our team at Crema Coffee Garage will order the model for you, unpack and test it, then arrange a complete installation by one of our service technicians. Although it may be more cost-effective to purchase your equipment in full, you will also need to consider other factors, such as paying for maintenance and servicing calls when necessary.
Rental Contracts: It can be hard to decide on the equipment you need when you are starting a business or unsure of what level of sales you will expect. Renting a coffee maker and other equipment is a good option. Renting allows you to try before you buy and grow your business with the equipment you rent. Crema gives its customers the choice to purchase their coffee machines or equipment at the conclusion of the rental contract, to continue with the rental agreement or to upgrade to a different piece of equipment, if needed. You can also change your equipment at any time during the contract term. This includes free maintenance (excluding damage caused by negligence or filter changes) and tech support in an emergency. Renting a coffee machine is a good idea for many reasons.
Flexible contracts of 12, 24, and 36 months
– Uncertainty regarding the viability and success of the venture
Lease agreements for short-term venues
Low initial capital
You don’t know how much coffee you will drink at first.
Although a requirement of the rental agreement is that you must use Crema coffee, our clients usually choose us because we have awesome coffee beans and then look at machine options. We are happy to provide information about third-party financing options for clients who would prefer to purchase coffee beans from another coffee supplier.
On-loan agreements: on-loan agreements are an arrangement in which coffee companies place equipment at your cafe without charging you upfront for a set period of time. A small part of the cost is built into the price per kilogram of roasted beans. This arrangement is very popular but it does depend on the quantity of coffee sold. This arrangement is not the best fit for cafes that sell less than 10kg per week. Although the low upfront costs are attractive, signing up for a loan agreement comes with some risks, especially if you don’t know how much coffee your cafe will consume. The arrangement relies on you purchasing enough coffee to pay for the equipment. You may also be charged a rental fee if your coffee sales fall below the agreed-upon amount for a prolonged period. This is to cover the costs of the equipment as well as servicing. A loan agreement is a good fit for cafes that have been in business for some time and produce a high volume of coffee. It includes new equipment, service and support, and an option to upgrade or buy at the end.
ALTERNATIVE BREW GEAR
In cafes, it’s more common to have a variety of coffees. Cold brew is a close second to espresso, and filter coffee has been gaining popularity in recent years. They’re all very different coffee styles and offer your customers the opportunity to drink more in a single day without becoming bored. Cold brew is an absolute game changer in Australia, where the temperature soars every year. Before this miracle, coffee consumption was dropping dramatically. Now our clients report stable sales of coffee from winter to summer. Crema Coffee Garage will teach you how to make cold brew, and if you find it popular we can upgrade you to a cold brew system that includes a fridge. Cold brew coffee on tap can speed up your service and, what’s more? The cold brew looks cool. The filter coffee machine can be set in the morning for 8-10 cups of coffee at a go. And the jugs have insulation to keep the coffee hot and steamy. They are a light, refreshing brew that is popular among black coffee drinkers who find black espressos a bit too rich. They’re also more-ish. You always want a second one, and most cafes have a bottomless price for filter coffees. Crema can also provide you with other popular brewing techniques in cafes, including:
It’s not hipster to offer different or alternative brewing choices. You’re doing well if you offer something everyone wants and that is popular.
How to Care for and Maintain Your Cafe Equipment
A quality wholesaler will not outsource repairs or servicing of coffee machines to third-party operators. A quality wholesale supplier will dedicate a portion of their business towards setting up a full-service department with a team that includes coffee technicians with backgrounds in the mechanics and electrical trades. As a café owner, one of the worst things you can experience is your equipment breaking down in the middle of a service or having to wait months for a technician to arrive to service it. There are many stories of coffee machines that have broken down because people waited too long to get serviced.
We started Crema Coffee Garage as a café 20 years ago. Knowing the panic and loss of trade that a broken machine can cause us, we chose to do things differently. We offer a complete service department, which allows us to:
– Order coffee machines, both standard and customized orders
Test them on a bench to ensure that everything works.
Install them completely and setup
– Provide emergency technical support 7 days a Week
– Maintain our client’s machines with a regular maintenance schedule
You will never be waiting for a service if you have a regular service schedule. Accidents and emergencies can happen, but they are never caused by neglect. All of our technicians love coffee, so if you have a simple question or need to chat with one of them you can call the service department.
BARISTA TRAINING WORKFLOWS AND CAFE WORKFLOWS ONLY FOR NEWCASTLE
We have also invested time and effort in creating a great training facility. The Newcastle Crema Coffee Academy offers both accredited and unaccredited barista training in order to improve and develop skills. The most popular Newcastle courses include:
– Accredited Barista Fundamentals Level 1 2 Units * Prepare and serve espresso * Use hygienic or food safety practices
Barista Advanced level 2 (Level 1 prerequisite): Put your skills to the test with a practice session
– Guided Practice: Do you need a space to practice? We provide you with the space and supplies you need to perfect your skills.
Commercial Coffee Training is only for our Crema clients. This class is geared towards troubleshooting and the details behind why things go wrong and how to fix them.
Our clients will find that the commercial coffee training is one of our greatest points of differentiation. We offer 4-6 complimentary training sessions to new clients in Newcastle to help them get off to a good start. We recommend managers and owners attend so they can gain a better understanding of the process and advocate for their baristas. Every year, we offer two complimentary spots to our clients. This allows anyone wanting to refresh their skills or any new staff to learn how to make great coffee to come along and get the training they need.
This is not your typical coffee course. We concentrate on problem solving – how to fix all things that could go wrong. Our students learn how to adjust their grind, time their shots, program their shot volume, and split their milk correctly. We discuss how to improve the workflow and how to train their customers how to order coffee correctly. We teach more than just great coffee. We also teach great customer service. What’s the best part? As a commercial customer, you can access the course at any time. Many of our clients book in their new staff before they start working at their cafes because they know that our training is excellent and they value the opportunity to learn from us. The fact that they can delegate a small part of the work of training new staff members is also a great thing. Crema Coffee Garage is a great company to work with if you are looking for someone who will invest in your future by providing you with high-quality training and support.
CUSTOMER S SUPPORT
Our administration and delivery teams are often forgotten, but they provide the foundation for everything we do. They keep us and you in business. The tight-knit team of orders, accounts and warehouse, as well as delivery, are what make our business possible.
Our account team will work with you to set up a payment plan that works for both of us. We are also always available if you have any problems paying on time. We’ll work with you to set up a plan of payment.
Our Orders Team is available to assist you with our online ordering system. They can explain new products, correct any mistakes, and help set up your favourite online orders.
– Our warehouse team coordinates orders and deliveries to ensure that we have what you need. If we don’t, they order it ASAP and keep in touch with you.
Our delivery team is probably the one you will see most smiling. Our delivery team is on the front line and sees our customers every day. They can be your initial point of contact if you have any questions or issues. Every day, they work hard to ensure that you receive your order on time and at the correct date.
This team will work together to ensure that your experience as a Crema customer is friendly, smooth and supportive. This team is responsible for answering all Crema inquiries by phone or email. They are also the department that has the most knowledge about your questions. We don’t know what we’d do without them, but we are lucky we won’t find out. You’ve found the perfect coffee company. They offer a full-service coffee solution and are run by local team members who love what they do. Call the Crema Coffee Garage today to schedule a chat or send an online inquiry.
Choose a coffee roaster that helps you grow.
Coffee’s greatest superpower is its ability to connect people from all walks of life in shared spaces and with shared conversations. Both our darkest and happiest moments are often shared around a coffee cup. The team at Crema Coffee Garage didn’t miss this fact. It is the reason we exist.
You’ve come to the right place if you want to partner with an amazing coffee company that offers great products and provides a full range of services. Also cares about its customers.