rogressive businesses are get-
ting the message about break-
rooms. These spaces need to be
redesigned to promote networking,
collaboration, refueling physically,
and creating a positive corporate
culture. Coffee, related products,
and those who deliver them, are
right in the center of this revolution.
Showcasing the brewer
The fact that Millennials bring an
appreciation of the coffeeshop with
them to the workplace has influenced
what the new breakroom looks like.
The most well designed mimic the
clean, open spaces of cafes with win-
dows as well as tables and lounging
areas. The coffee becomes a main
attraction. The brewer is not set in
a quiet corner, but put on display.
Specialty coffee brewers, especially
espresso machines are highly appre-
ciated. According to 2016 National
Coffee Association (NCA) data, 94
percent of people with an espresso
machine at work were very/somewhat
satisfied. Nearly 10 percentage points
less, 86 percent said the same about
drip coffee brewers.
Specialty beverages are really
growing the office coffee segment
in these redesigned break areas.
Machines that make lattes, cappuc-
cinos and flavored gourmet beverages
with solubles are valued. The percep-
tion of these drinks is often higher
among consumers than traditional,
plain coffee, regardless of roast or
sometimes bean quality. NCA found
an increase in consumers opting
for espresso-based beverages which
P
Coffee: Integral To
The Workplace Cafe
By Emily Refermat, Editor
Employees are
driving a reinvented
breakroom centered
on coffee and
coffee-based drinks.
16 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com February/March 2017
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