For many people, buying a takeaway coffee has become part of the daily routine.
A cappuccino before work.
A latte on the way to the office.
An afternoon coffee run with colleagues.
It feels like a small purchase, but those daily coffees soon add up.
For employers, the costs can be even greater. Time spent leaving the workplace, frequent café trips and lost productivity all have an impact that often goes unnoticed.
Could providing great coffee in the workplace be the smarter investment?
At A Glance:
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Feature |
Details |
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Best for |
Businesses looking to reduce coffee costs while improving the workplace experience |
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Focus |
Comparing the cost of takeaway coffee with workplace coffee |
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Helps you understand |
Cost savings, productivity, employee wellbeing and long-term value |
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Suitable for |
Offices, factories, warehouses, showrooms and commercial workplaces |
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Ideal if you want |
To provide premium coffee while reducing everyday spending and encouraging employees to stay on |
How Much Does a Daily Takeaway Coffee Cost?
Coffee prices have increased significantly in recent years, driven by rising production costs, supply chain pressures and higher demand worldwide.
A takeaway coffee costing around £4.25 may not seem expensive on its own, but over time the figures become much more significant.
For someone buying one coffee every working day:
- Around £21 per week
- Over £90 per month
- Approximately £1,100 per year (based on a five-day working week)
For regular café visitors buying two drinks a day, the annual cost can easily double.
The Hidden Cost for Employers
It’s easy to focus on the price of the coffee.
But many businesses overlook the hidden costs.
Every coffee run can involve:
- Walking to a nearby café
- Waiting in the queue
- Ordering drinks
- Walking back to the workplace
Multiply that across an entire team and those “quick coffee trips” can consume a surprising amount of working time.
Providing quality refreshments on site allows employees to enjoy the same break without needing to leave the workplace.
Why Workplace Coffee Is About More Than Saving Money
While reducing the cost of coffee is an obvious benefit, investing in a quality workplace coffee solution delivers much more than financial savings.
When employees have access to great coffee without leaving the office, they’re more likely to stay on-site, spend time with colleagues and return to work feeling refreshed. Informal conversations over coffee often encourage collaboration, strengthen working relationships and help create a more positive workplace culture.
Providing premium refreshments also makes a strong impression on customers, visitors and interview candidates. A welcoming coffee station demonstrates that your business values quality and pays attention to the details that matter.
In many organisations, the office coffee machine becomes one of the most frequently used areas of the workplace. It’s where ideas are shared, relationships are built and employees enjoy a well-earned break.
Saving money is important—but creating a workplace people genuinely enjoy spending time in is even more valuable.
Why More Businesses Are Investing in Workplace Coffee
A commercial coffee machine isn’t simply an appliance.
It’s a workplace amenity that employees use every day.
Benefits include:
- Convenient access to quality coffee
- Less time spent leaving the office
- Better visitor refreshments
- A more enjoyable workplace environment
- Consistent drink quality
- Greater choice for tea and coffee drinkers
Unlike many employee perks, workplace refreshments deliver value every single working day.
Coffee That Costs Less Per Cup
One of the biggest surprises for many businesses is how affordable workplace coffee can be.
For example:
- Fresh bean-to-cup coffee can cost a lot less per cup, depending on the blend and recipe.
- FLAVIA drinks start from around 43p per drink, while still offering recognised brands such as Lavazza coffee and Twinings tea.
Compared with buying coffee from a café every day, the savings can be substantial for both employees and employers.
How Much Could Your Business Save?
Let’s look at a simple example.
Imagine a business with 20 employees, where each person buys two takeaway coffees during the working day at an average cost of £4.00 per drink.
Daily takeaway coffee spend:
- 20 employees × 2 coffees = 40 coffees per day
- 40 coffees × £4.00 = £160 per day
Over a typical working year of around 250 days, that’s approximately:
£40,000 spent on takeaway coffee every year.
By comparison, providing premium workplace coffee can significantly reduce the cost per cup while giving employees convenient access to high-quality drinks throughout the day.
Of course, every business is different. The exact savings will depend on your preferred coffee solution, drink volumes and workplace requirements, but many organisations are surprised by just how quickly an office coffee machine can deliver value.
If you’d like to understand the potential savings for your own business, we’d be happy to help you compare the options.
Choosing the Right Workplace Coffee Solution
Every workplace is different.
The best coffee machine depends on your team, available space and the types of drinks you want to provide and volume..
Ideal for businesses looking for:
- Freshly ground coffee
- Café-style drinks
- Premium coffee quality
- High daily usage
Perfect for offices, meeting rooms and client-facing environments.
A great choice if your workforce enjoys variety.
Available drinks include:
- Lavazza coffee
- Twinings tea
- Herbal teas
- Hot chocolate
- Speciality coffee drinks
Ideal for mixed workplaces where not everyone drinks coffee.
Designed for busy workplaces that need:
- Fast service
- Low maintenance
- Reliable operation
- High-capacity drink production
Particularly popular in warehouses, factories and industrial environments.
It’s About More Than Saving Money
Providing quality workplace refreshments isn’t just about reducing café spending.
It also helps create a better workplace experience.
Employees appreciate:
- Good coffee
- Better tea
- Convenient refreshments
- Comfortable breakout areas
- Feeling valued
Visitors and clients notice these details too.
A quality coffee machine creates a more professional first impression while making meetings feel more welcoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is workplace coffee cheaper than buying takeaway coffee?
In most cases, yes. While there is an initial investment in a coffee machine, the cost per cup is typically much lower than purchasing takeaway coffee every day, making workplace coffee an economical long-term solution.
Does providing coffee improve employee productivity?
Quality workplace coffee can reduce the time employees spend leaving the office to buy drinks, while creating opportunities for informal conversations and collaboration. Combined with a welcoming breakout space, it can contribute to a more productive working environment.
Is providing free coffee a good employee benefit?
Many businesses view premium coffee as a simple but highly valued workplace perk. Offering quality refreshments helps employees feel appreciated and can contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Which office coffee machine offers the best value?
The best value depends on factors such as your daily drinks volume, the number of employees and the range of drinks you’d like to offer. Choosing the right machine for your workplace is often more important than simply choosing the cheapest option.
Can Office Barista help calculate our workplace coffee costs?
Absolutely. We’ll discuss your expected drinks volume, employee numbers and preferred coffee solution before helping you compare running costs and identify the most cost-effective option for your business.
Is an office coffee machine a worthwhile investment?
For many businesses, yes. In addition to reducing the cost of takeaway coffee, a quality workplace coffee solution can improve employee satisfaction, enhance the visitor experience and create a more enjoyable working environment.
Final Thoughts
A daily takeaway coffee might feel like a small indulgence, but over the course of a year the costs can be surprisingly high.
For businesses, providing quality workplace refreshments offers a practical alternative that benefits both employees and the organisation.
Whether you choose a bean-to-cup coffee machine, a FLAVIA drinks system or a KLIX hot drinks machine, investing in workplace coffee is about more than serving great drinks.
It’s about saving time, reducing everyday costs and creating a workplace where people genuinely enjoy taking a break.
Continue Your Office Coffee Journey
Looking at the bigger picture? These guides will help you choose the right workplace coffee solution and understand the long-term value it can bring to your business.
Choose the Right Office Coffee Machine
Learn how to compare different types of office coffee machines, understand daily drinks capacity and select the ideal solution for your workplace.
→ Read: The Ultimate Office Coffee Machine Buying Guide
Why Daily Drinks Volume Matters
Discover why estimating your daily drinks volume is one of the most important factors when choosing a workplace coffee machine.
→ Read: Why Daily Drinks Volume Is the Most Important Factor When Choosing a Workplace Hot Drinks Machine
Understand the True Cost of Office Coffee
The purchase price is only part of the story. Learn how servicing, maintenance, consumables and running costs all contribute to the true cost of ownership.
→ Read: The True Cost of an Office Coffee Machine
Need Expert Advice?
Whether you’re looking to reduce costs, improve employee wellbeing or create a premium coffee experience for your workplace, our friendly team is here to help you find the right solution.
→ Contact the Office Barista team today for personalised advice and recommendations.
