Cartisan Carts was awarded the title of Best Coffee Shop Concept 2025 at the prestigious World Coffee Innovation Awards. Here, co-founder of NSP Cases, Rob Sampson, shares the vision of transforming how coffee is served in today’s evolving retail and hospitality landscape.

Can you tell us a little about your winning entry — what makes it unique or innovative?

Our winning entry was built around a simple but often overlooked idea: If coffee is treated as a premium experience, the environment it’s served from should reflect that. Cartisan coffee carts are designed with the same level of engineering, material quality and attention to detail you’d expect from high-end hospitality interiors but packaged into a fully mobile, event-ready format.

What makes it unique is the balance between form and function. Every element is purpose-designed: from workflow efficiency for the barista, to durability for transport, to visual impact in demanding environments like festivals, exhibitions and corporate spaces. We didn’t just design a cart that looks good, we engineered a platform that elevates the coffee service experience wherever it goes.

How has winning a FoodBev Award impacted your brand, team or project since the announcement?

Winning the FoodBev Award has been a huge validation for the team. Cartisan is the result of deep collaboration between designers, engineers and craftspeople, so external recognition like this reinforces that the details really do matter.

From a brand perspective, it’s accelerated conversations we were already having with customers, partners, and distributors, particularly internationally. Internally, it’s given the team a real sense of pride and momentum. Awards don’t change the way we work, but they do energise you to push even harder and raise the bar again.

What does it feel like to have your work recognised on this global stage?

It’s incredibly rewarding. When you’re building something from the ground up, especially in manufacturing, you spend a lot of time focused on problem-solving and continuous improvement. You don’t always stop to reflect on how far something has come.

To have Cartisan recognised on a global stage alongside such strong innovation in the food and beverage sector is both humbling and motivating. It tells us that thoughtful design, quality engineering and practical innovation still resonate, regardless of scale.

Looking ahead, what’s next for you and how do you see your innovation evolving in the future?

This award isn’t a finish line, it’s a starting point. We’re continuing to evolve Cartisan with new configurations, smarter integrations and even greater focus on sustainability and efficiency.

Innovation for us isn’t about chasing trends, it’s about listening to how our products are used in the real world and refining them continuously. As the specialty coffee industry evolves, we see Cartisan becoming a platform, one that grows with the needs of modern baristas, brands and venues while staying true to quality, craftsmanship and purpose-led design.

World Coffee Innovation Awards 2026, in association with Café Business Expo

The World Coffee Innovation Awards have returned, showcasing groundbreaking developments across the sector. 2026 marks the fourth year of these awards, celebrating international innovation from the coffee industry.

Submissions close: 14 August – Don't miss your chance for global recognition and industry exposure!

The World Coffee Innovation Awards 2026 ceremony will be held at Café Business Expo, presented by FoodBev Media. Café Business Expo is the UK’s leading trade event connecting café owners and operators with the suppliers, technology and ideas shaping the future of the industry.

Discover the latest products and connect with innovative brands in the sector. Source new products, compare suppliers and negotiate deals all in one place in London from 29 to 30 September 2026!

For more information about our selection of awards programmes, please visit foodbevawards.com or email awards@foodbev.com.