The UK’s first multi-brand returnable cup initiative has launched in Glasgow, aiming to reduce the 388 million disposable cups used annually in Scotland. Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, Burger King UK, and several independent cafés, including Tinderbox, Sprigg, Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow City Chambers, have joined the “Borrow Cup” scheme, led by environmental charity Hubbub and reuse start-up Reposit. The project will run for three months initially, with plans to expand nationwide if successful. Customers can opt for a reusable cup by paying a £1 deposit, with most outlets offering discounts or loyalty rewards. Cups are available in three sizes and can be returned at any participating venue for a refund, a clean replacement or a £1 voucher. The project is funded by participating brands, such as Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero and Burger King UK, alongside contributions from Ecosurety, Bunzl, the British Plastics Federation and KFC. Industry partners have also supported the project, with Berry supplying the cups, Electrolux providing washing equipment, Avery Dennison offering RFID scanning technology and additional support from Keep Scotland Beautiful and Biffa. According to WRAP, over three billion disposable cups are used annually in the UK. Hubbub’s research highlights that while nearly three-quarters of UK residents own a reusable cup, only a third use it regularly. Borrow Cup aims to make reusable options more accessible and convenient by creating a dense network of return points across Glasgow. The company said that returnable cup initiatives have often struggled due to small-scale trials, complex user experiences and a lack of data-driven tracking. Borrow Cup aims to overcome these challenges by creating a large-scale collaboration between major brands and local cafés. The initiative offers a high density of return points in the city’s busiest areas, a simple user journey without apps or sign-ups and robust tracking to assess environmental and financial viability. Gavin Ellis, co-founder at Hubbub, said: “Despite most people owning a reusable cup, they are generally left at home so it’s crucial we consider other ways to make reuse more accessible. We’ve taken learnings from other trials and  created a pioneering shared system that makes it really simple for people to choose a reusable cup  at point of sale. "Disposable   cup s make up 30% of the drinks waste  in Glasgow’s on-street bins so we are delighted to partner with over 50 locations including some major brands and  hope this trial will shift habits and  help to make reusable cup s the norm. We want to demonstrate how a collaborative model can improve the success of returnable cups, and understand how it can become environmentally, commercially and operationally viable. If successful, we are optimistic that this approach can be rolled out further across the UK.”   Acting cabinet secretary for net zero and  energy at The Scottish Government , Gillian Martin, added: “Single-use cup s create over 5,400 tonnes of waste  in Scotland every year and  initiatives like Borrow Cup  are vital for driving change and  reducing waste .   “By encouraging the use of returnable and  reusable cup s, this project demonstrates the power of collaboration between major brands, independent businesses and  innovative organisations like Hubbub and  Reposit. While we continue to investigate waste  reduction policies, including analysing consultation responses on proposals for a minimum charge on single-use beverage cup s, voluntary efforts such as this play a critical role in reducing waste , protecting our environment and  supporting Scotland’s journey toward a circular economy.”   Hubbub is collaborating with Carbon Bright to evaluate the environmental impact of Borrow Cup and plans to expand the initiative if the initial three-month trial proves successful.

Mondelēz has teamed up with American rapper Post Malone to launch of a new limited-edition Oreo cookies. The limited-time product introduces a first-of-its-kind swirled creme featuring salted caramel and shortbread flavours, sandwiched between one chocolate Oreo cookie and one golden cookie. The cookies also showcase one of nine unique designs inspired by Post Malone’s world, including references to his discography and other personal elements handpicked by the artist. Each pack includes a handwritten note from Post Malone himself. Tanya Berman, Mondelēz's senior vice president for biscuit, said: "Flavour innovations and collaborations, inspired by fan behaviour, have become a mainstay in our playbook as a way to maintain relevancy across our portfolio of snack brands. With...Oreo, our challenge is to consistently raise the bar and discover fresh ways to engage our fans. This collaboration with Post Malone sets a new standard. We hope fans are as excited about the brand's newest hit as we are." The limited edition Post Malone Oreo cookie packs will be available for presale beginning 27 January, with nationwide retail availability starting 3 February, while supplies last.

Starbucks has announced plans to streamline its global corporate operations, with CEO Brian Niccol confirming in an open letter that the company will reduce its support team headcount as part of its ongoing “Back to Starbucks” revitalisation plan. While Starbucks has prioritised enhancing the in-store experience in its US and Canadian locations, the company is now turning its attention to its global corporate structure. Niccol cited the need for greater efficiency, accountability and integration within the organisation. "We need to ensure all our work has a clear owner, who can make decisions, and who is accountable for achieving the goals. This will help us move faster," he explained. The restructuring aims to reduce silos, eliminate duplication of efforts and streamline management layers, with a focus on prioritising work that directly impacts the customer experience. However, Niccol acknowledged that these changes would involve “difficult decisions,” including job eliminations and smaller support teams. The move will not affect in-store teams or investments in store hours, which have been key to the company’s efforts to enhance the café experience. Starbucks recently introduced measures such as additional staffing in over 3,000 stores, removing the non-dairy milk upcharge and reducing wait times. Niccol stated that the details of the corporate restructuring would be communicated by early March and emphasised that the decisions were being approached thoughtfully. "I do not take these decisions lightly, and I appreciate that this will create uncertainty and concern between now and then," he said.

The Watercoolers Europe (WE) Conference & Fair 2025 is set to take place in Milan, Italy, on 6-7 November 2025. Building on the success of the 2024 event in Bucharest, Romania, the upcoming conference will focus on advancements in clean, sustainable and healthy hydration solutions, with a particular emphasis on the impact of AI technology on the industry. The event will feature showcases of innovative products and technologies, discussions on the role of AI in shaping hydration and sustainability and opportunities for collaboration toward industry progress. Registration is currently open, and further details can be found on the event website under the “Conference & Fair 2025” section.

WithMe, the parent company of SipWithMe, a provider of coffee services for multifamily properties, has introduced several new enhancements to its offerings. These include a new coffee machine, called SipWithMe Signature, automated supply shipments and an Express Service Guarantee. The SipWithMe Signature machine combines a sleek, modern design with the capability to create over 12 barista-quality beverages. This makes it ideal for lobbies, co-working spaces and other shared areas. SipWithMe Signature will serve as the flagship offering in 2025, while the company will continue to offer SipWithMe Elite, a larger machine providing over 20 beverage options. Additionally, SipWithMe now offers automated supply shipments, ensuring coffee, powders and other essentials are delivered before they run out. A new Express Service Guarantee has also been introduced, promising on-site service within one business day in select markets. The automated supply feature allows machines to monitor inventory and reorder supplies as needed, reducing the need for manual management. Meanwhile, the Express Service Guarantee ensures that support is available at client locations within 24 hours, with immediate seven-day-a-week remote support through phone, chat or email. Jeff Lail, COO of WithMe, said: "Our mission is to make premium coffee service simple and seamless for our clients. The launch of SipWithMe Signature, automated supply delivery and our express service guarantee allows us to deliver reliability, convenience and tailored coffee experiences."

Offering an easy, convenient exchange of recyclables for money, the reverse vending machine (RVM) is a streamlined, cost-effective way to boost recycling rates. Here, Refreshment magazine editor Bryony Andrews takes a closer look at both the possibilities RVMs offer for improving sustainable practices, and the current barriers to their implementation. Used as the central element of a deposit return scheme (DRS), RVMs work by incentivising consumers to return empty, recyclable containers in exchange for a reward, which varies depending on the scheme. The ultimate aim is to reduce waste and move towards a circular economy. Amid growing environmental concerns, RVMs are seeing increasing uptake throughout Europe, the US and Asia as a way to encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own recycling. Research from circular economy non-profit Reloop shows that currently more than 20 million drinks containers are incinerated, sent to landfill or littered each day. Data from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, meanwhile, has shown that more than 75% of litter by volume is the result of drinks consumption, with more than 8 billion containers wasted every year. Incentivising the industry Refreshment approached the British Soft Drinks Association (BDSA), which has long championed the DRS, to ask it to share some insight on the topic. According to the BDSA, a “well-designed DRS” will improve the quality and increase the quantity of material collected. “This, in turn, will support the aims of many producers to move to a more circular model for packaging, supporting bottle-to-bottle and can-to can recycling, and towards the circular economy we all want to see,” the BDSA told Refreshment. However, it is not as simple as installing an RVM and watching the recyclables pour in. The BDSA warned that in order to truly achieve the aim of circularity for drinks containers, any DRS must be “industry-led, interoperable and function alongside other ongoing packaging measures”. In the UK, this would include the Plastic Packaging Tax, Extended Producer Responsibility and consistent household collections. “We are pleased that recycling and recovery rates for drinks containers have increased over the years, but there’s still room for improvement,” the BDSA commented. George Atkinson, head of policy at Valpak, a leading provider of environmental compliance and part of sustainable waste management company Reconomy, highlighted the side effect of creating a segregated waste management system as another, less obvious benefit of a DRS. “[It] separates highly-valuable drinks container packaging from other materials,” he explained. “This segregation maximises the likelihood of these containers being recycled into high-quality material that can be reused in packaging.” Furthermore, DRS systems essentially place a financial penalty on consumers who fail to return their drinks containers, Atkinson pointed out, effectively placing a value on the environmental damage of improper disposal. “This is why such schemes that have been implemented across Europe have proven highly successful, with return rates reaching up to 98% in Germany and Scandinavia, where they have been in place for decades,” Atkinson stated. “These rates far exceed those achieved by the UK’s existing recycling systems.” Innovation in RVMs In our convenience-driven market, plastic production and consumption is an inevitability. Finding ways to keep recycling rates up, therefore, is a vital part of achieving environmental goals for industry and the public alike. In countries without a unified, government-run DRS, the task of encouraging consumers to recycle at the point of purchase is being taken up by enterprising companies like RVM provider Cycle. Cycle is a recycling platform that utilises RVMs to reward consumers for recycling their beverage containers. Its partners so far include sports stadiums, universities, concert venues and youth centres, with increasing interest in corporate settings too. Originally founded by a group of students at the University of Miami, Cycle became part of waste management and sustainability provider Recycle Track Systems (RTS) in 2023. The concept, co-founder Anwar Khan told Refreshment, is to incentivise recycling efforts by gamifying the process. Users insert their empties into the RVM and scan a QR code. Rewards are customised to the preferences of the site partner, and could be entry to a prize draw or a leaderboard, rewards and coupons for further purchases or speciality prizes such as tickets to a future sports game or a jersey  Cycle’s RVMs also offer the advantage of scanning for contamination, crushing and pre-sorting recyclables, which helps simplify the logistics of disposal. Global RVM manufacturer Tomra, meanwhile, has recently launched the Tomra R2, an RVM with a smaller footprint than its previous, larger iteration, the Tomra R1, to enable smaller retailers to offer a reverse vending service to their customers. Both the R1 and R2 models feature multi-feed returns, allowing users to pour more than 100 empty drink containers for recycling into the RVM in one go. With the Tomra R2, the manufacturer has stated its plan to “disrupt traditional reverse vending design”. With a minimalist design, the R2 has a wall-mounted and compact unit facing the consumer, made to be more stylish, discreet and accessible in the store environment. The screen gives more visual guidance and better user flow to make the process more intuitive for end users. Notably, the R2 offers digital vouchers for users’ deposit refunds, with no app required. RVMs traditionally print paper vouchers, which users redeem in store for cash or as credit on their next purchase. With digital vouchers, recyclers simply use their phone camera to scan a QR code on the RVM’s screen and the voucher will appear in their mobile browser – for a touch-free, paperless experience. Alternatively, the user can choose to donate to one of nine on-screen donation partners chosen by the retail chain or individual store. This donation functionality has been requested by retailers wanting to make a difference in the local communities, allowing them to build charity partnerships and create campaigns to engage shoppers and grow store loyalty. Studies in success When Refreshment asked the BDSA for some examples of successfully-implemented DRS schemes, it highlighted Slovakia’s DRS, which includes a return-to-retail model for can and plastic PET bottles and does not include glass. Since its launch in 2022, the scheme has achieved remarkable recycling rates of around 93%. In the UK, Defra’s 2022 figures show that just 51.4% of plastic waste generated was recycled that year – a figure not too dissimilar to Slovakia’s kerbside collection recycling rates prior to the launch of its DRS, the BDSA told Refreshment. The Slovakian DRS is run by a non-profit organisation created by a consortium of trade associations which represent beer, soft drinks and mineral water producers, as well as representatives of wholesale and retail. “This is the sort of model we can also expect to see in the UK,” explained the BDSA. “There are countless other examples of successful DRS schemes across Europe, with Germany achieving particularly high collection rates, while the Republic of Ireland – which launched its DRS in February 2024 – had collected 500 million cans and bottles as part of its scheme by early September.” Valpak’s Atkinson also praised Germany’s success in implementing the world’s highest-performing DRS, achieving a 98% return rate on eligible, single-use drink containers. “This success is attributed to the meaningful deposit value and a dense network of return locations. The system encourages the use of refillable containers, which are also included in the deposit scheme,” Atkinson explained. Sweden, too, boasts a highly effective DRS, known for its simplicity and profitability. “It allows private entities to cover the setup costs and management of the system,” noted Atkinson. “This has led to high collection rates and a significant reduction in litter and waste.” Barriers to implementation In January 2023, the UK government announced plans to introduce a DRS in 2025 to improve the recycling rates for plastic bottles and cans. However, earlier this year the go-live date was pushed back to October 2027. Ministers have blamed the Welsh government, which wants to include glass in the scheme, for the delay. The UK government believes that including glass in the UK DRS will make the scheme too complex and expensive. Commenting on the delay, the BDSA told Refreshment that, “a unified and consistent scheme is critical to the success of DRS and it’s disappointing that the Welsh government continues to be an outlier in calling for the inclusion of glass within scope”. The association continued: “A lack of alignment in this area risks creating different market conditions within Great Britain, which, in turn, would confuse consumers and impede efforts to achieve the high collection rates of PET and aluminium beverage containers necessary to fuel the circular economy for beverage packaging”. According to Valpak’s Atkinson, the lack of infrastructure is another key obstacle to DRS implementation in the UK. “The UK would likely need over 30,000 RVMs, not to mention central clearing houses and a new fleet of dedicated refuse collection vehicles. This could cost producers up to, if not more than £2 billion a year, a significant cost which must be considered in the context of an existing mature kerbside collection system in the UK.” Despite these potential barriers, with convenient return locations, financial incentives for consumers and strong public awareness campaigns, the future does look bright for RVMs as a positive force for change. Despite the varying needs of individual territories, the example set by the many countries with a successful DRS in place shows that the model works. With innovation from manufacturers helping to further drive uptake, RVMs are set to continue to play a vital role in reducing waste and helping consumers to actively participate in moving towards a circular economy.

Bevi has announced its first international expansion into the UK and Ireland. Responding to increasing demand for healthy, customisable beverage options, Bevi is introducing its Smart Water Coolers to commercial spaces, such as offices and hotels. Bevi's Standup 2.0 machine Customers will have access to the company’s Standup 2.0 machine and six flavours produced locally in the UK, exclusive to the European market. These flavours can be combined with vitamin boost and electrolyte functional enhancements. Bevi’s Smart Water Coolers offer still, sparkling, flavoured and enhanced water on demand, reducing single-use plastic waste. With a focus on sustainability and enhanced workplace amenities, businesses in the UK and Ireland can integrate Bevi machines tailored to their requirements. Users can customise beverages with flavours such as blackcurrant, strawberry mint, lemon lime, cucumber, orange mango and pear, and add functional enhancements like electrolytes and vitamin boost, which are said to be popular features among existing US and Canadian customers who are looking to add extra benefits to their beverage. Cathy Lewenberg, Bevi's recently appointed CEO , said: “It’s an exciting time at Bevi as we embark for the first time into international markets outside of North America. We’re excited to bring our Smart Water Coolers and new, unique flavours to the UK market to provide a healthy and sustainable alternative to bottles and cans as we continue on our mission to transform the global beverage industry.”

© JDE Peet's Dutch coffee and tea producer JDE Peet’s has announced that its CFO Scott Gray has stepped down to reunite with his family in the US. After evaluating both internal and external candidates, the company has appointed a new external CFO, who will join in Q2 2025. The incoming CFO's details will be disclosed on 26 February, 2025, alongside JDE Peet’s FY 2024 results. According to a statement, Gray will work closely with the company's CEO, Rafael Oliveira, and the new CFO to ensure a smooth transition. During his tenure, Gray played a significant role in JDE Peet’s transition from a private to a public company in 2020. He led critical initiatives in risk management, financial reporting and capital structure optimisation. Additionally, he guided the company through periods of coffee inflation and navigating macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges. Beyond his role in finance, Gray served as interim CEO prior to Oliveira’s appointment in November 2024 . Oliveira said: “On behalf of the board and the executive committee, I thank Scott for his leadership and commitment to JDE Peet’s. His focus on excellence has shaped a lasting legacy, leaving behind a company with a robust financial foundation, strong performance and a talented team. As interim CEO, Scott provided critical leadership continuity. We are grateful for his leadership, partnership and collaboration and his commitment to a solid handover.” Gray added: “Resigning was a very difficult decision for me. I am deeply committed to JDE Peet’s and have truly enjoyed leading such a talented team. My wife and I have decided to relocate to the US where our children will soon be starting their higher education. JDE Peet’s is a unique company operating with fantastic people in a great sector. The company is set up for future success and I thank my team and colleagues for the unforgettable journey." JDE Peet’s also announced the appointment of Ricard Barri Valentines as chief marketing officer and member of the executive committee, reporting to the CEO. Valentines, currently global category director for instant and liquid coffee at JDE Peet's, has succeeds Fiona Hughes, who has taken on the role of general manager for Australia. Oliveira stated: “I welcome Ricard to the executive committee and thank Fiona for her outstanding leadership in introducing a marketing philosophy to the company and bringing life to our portfolio of brands.”

The International Café & Beverage Show (ICBS), the leading showcase of artisan food, beverage and café products, returns to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 24-26 April 2025, poised to lead the café and beverage industry into an exciting new chapter. ICBS 2025 offers a vibrant platform for innovation, talent and collaboration, encouraging exhibitors and attendees to capitalise on the growing café culture market. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) café and beverage industry has seen remarkable growth, with branded coffee shop outlets increasing significantly in recent years. Malaysia recorded an impressive 28% growth last year, generating over $1 billion (RM 4.46 billion) annually. ICBS 2025 provides businesses a platform to leverage this growing market, offering exhibitors a unique opportunity to showcase their expertise, connect with key decision-makers and engage with one of the region’s most dynamic industries. The show will feature a broad range of products beyond coffee, including tea, other beverages, juices, pastries, desserts, café design solutions and cutting-edge POS payment systems, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the café and beverage ecosystem. In 2024, the show achieved record-breaking results, with 98% of visitors rating the event successful and 99.5% of exhibitors meeting their business objectives. Building on this success, ICBS 2025 is set to host 600 participating brands, attract 18,000 attendees and feature representation from 55 countries, making it an unmissable opportunity for exhibitors to connect with a diverse and engaged audience. The show will host the prestigious Malaysia Open Championships, encompassing the Malaysia Open Barista Championship (MOBC), the Malaysia Open Latte Art (MOLAC) and the Malaysia Open Brewers Cup (MOBrC). These competitions showcase exceptional talent and creativity from across the industry, with winners potentially advancing to national and international championships. ICBS 2025 will also expand its scope by co-locating with My Food Expo 2025, a platform supporting sustainability and local food production in line with Malaysia’s National Agrofood Policy 2.0. Together, these events strengthen the synergy between the café and food sectors. Another highlight of ICBS 2025 is the Roasters Village, a dedicated space celebrating the craftsmanship of boutique coffee roasters. This unique platform allows smaller roasters to engage directly with buyers and showcase their distinctive blends to a diverse international audience. Alun Jones, project director of Montgomery Asia, shared: "ICBS is more than just an event – it’s a gateway to opportunity for businesses in Malaysia and across the region. With My Food Expo co-located this year, ICBS 2025 highlights the growing synergy between the café and food industries, providing exhibitors a unique platform to broaden their reach and maximise their impact." Jones expressed gratitude to key stakeholders, saying: "I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) for their continued support of ICBS. Their contributions have been pivotal to the success of this event, and we look forward to welcoming them, alongside the Malaysian café industry and coffee enthusiasts, to ICBS 2025." Acknowledging the event’s strategic partnership, Jones added: "We are delighted to have the Barista Guild Asia as our educational partner for ICBS 2025. The advancement of the café and beverage industry thrives on continuous learning and curiosity from industry players, consumers and baristas themselves. This partnership strengthens our commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the sector." Jones concluded by emphasising the event’s mission: "ICBS 2025 is dedicated to connecting and inspiring the café and food sectors, offering a stage for businesses to innovate, collaborate and expand. We are excited to host a platform that bridges creativity and commerce in this vibrant industry again." ICBS 2025 will take place from 24 to 26 April 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The first two days will focus on trade visitors, while the final day will be open to the public. From live competitions to unparalleled networking opportunities, ICBS 2025 is the must-attend event for anyone in the café and beverage industry. For the latest information or to learn more about the exhibition or exhibitor opportunities, visit here .

Quench has officially rebranded as Culligan Quench, reflecting its integration into the Culligan family over the past five years. This change aims to streamline its identity and offerings in the competitive workplace water solutions market. According to the company, the rebranding is part of Culligan Quench's commitment to providing tailored solutions for businesses, including bottleless water coolers, sparkling water dispensers, ice machines and coffee solutions. The company says that it will continue to cater to the diverse needs of various workplaces, from small offices to large corporations. Key elements of the rebranding include: Customised offerings: Culligan Quench plans to deliver solutions that are specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of each client. Integrated service model: The company aims to provide a comprehensive service experience, ensuring that clients have dedicated support throughout their engagement. Sustainability initiatives: The rebranded is focused on reducing single-use plastics and minimising the carbon footprint associated with water consumption, addressing environmental concerns prevalent in the industry. Quality assurance: Culligan Quench intends to enhance the quality of drinking water available in workplaces, which is increasingly recognised as important for employee health and satisfaction. Scientific approach: The company will leverage its scientific expertise to establish industry standards and drive innovation in workplace water solutions. For existing customers, the transition to Culligan Quench is expected to be seamless, maintaining the level of service and innovation they have relied on. #Quench #CulliganQuench #water #rebranding

Sodexo has announced plans to open nearly 100 'Food Hive' micro markets across US college campuses by 2026. Food Hive is Sodexo's modular, scalable, and white-label-ready campus convenience store. It supports local partners and minority- and women-owned businesses by featuring their products alongside other healthy options for students. Sodexo's goal of opening around 30 locations during the 2024-2025 academic year is in progress. Sodexo's campus head of marketing, Drew Nannis, said: “We know that Gen Z prefers shopping experiences that support their community while getting what they want as fast as possible with frictionless checkout. Food Hive delivers just that, fueling stronger campus communities and providing the convenience today’s students need.” Rose Wilson, district manager for Sodexo at Northern Arizona University, added: “This innovative c-store will not only provide our students with a diverse selection of hot and cold food options but also meet their personal and grocery needs. The modern flow of the store, including self-checkout, will enhance efficiency and convenience for everyone. I can't wait for our students to experience this fantastic one-stop-shop addition to our campus when we open in the spring of 2025.”

Demand for coffee shows no sign of abating, thanks to the growing popularity of coffee culture, the increased availability of specialised varieties and the expansion of café chains. Refreshment spoke to a number of manufacturers of professional, automatic coffee machines to find out how their recent innovations have been designed to capitalise on consumer demand for premiumisation and customisation. Coffee is enjoyed in almost every country in the world, and is imported, roasted and consumed in staggering numbers. According to Mordor Intelligence, the value of the global coffee market was estimated at $132 billion this year, set to grow at a rate of 4.72% to reach an expected $166 billion by 2029. Growth in the sector can be attributed to a range of factors, including increased demand for a premium product and for customised and personalised beverages. In recent times, advancements in machine innovation have showcased a surge in smart and connected devices, alongside a rise in single-serve and pod-compatible options, as well as an emphasis on eco-friendly machines. Personalisation A key driver of innovation in the coffee machine market is the premiumisation and individualisation of beverage offerings, according to Axel Fähnle, head of marketing at coffee machine manufacturer WMF Professional. “Customers now have significantly higher expectations in terms of product quality and user experience,” said Fähnle. “At the forefront of this are new coffee creations using vegan milk alternatives–whether made from soy, oat, almond, coconut or pea milk. Plant-based dairy alternatives have developed and will continue to develop as an independent beverage category. This is changing the way the world drinks coffee, and our customers must address it: the big coffee chains as well as petrol stations, hotels, catering companies and so on.” Masters of milk James Howcroft, head of sales at Swiss manufacturer Franke Coffee Systems UK, identified drinks customisation – such as people wanting a stronger or weaker coffee or a beverage flavoured with syrup – among the key trends in coffee in recent years. In response to this, Franke introduced its proprietary FoamMaster technology a number of years ago, allowing operators to choose the amount of foam in individual coffee-based drinks. Adjustable air and speed parameters through FoamMaster allow the machines to handle different types of milk while providing a perfect foam. “This might be more liquid foam for lattes and flat whites or stiffer foam for cappuccinos,” explained Howcroft. “When we look at vegan coffee culture, we have ‘Dynamic Milk’, a premium system for processing milk alternatives,” Fähnle told Refreshment. “Equipped with this, our fully-automatic machines can produce four different consistencies for hot milk foam and three variants for whipping cold milk foam, depending on the recipe. There is also the WMF 2-Milk-Solution, with which a caterer can process and offer several varieties, including plant-based milk alternatives such as oat, soy or pea drinks, in one machine.” Fähnle continued: “We have also recently launched our new WMF MultiMilk solution on the market. Thanks to multiple lances, the service staff can dose individual varieties. In other words, dairy milk, for example, runs in the machine’s integrated milk system, while plant-based drinks are fed into the machine via the MultiMilk lances.” Key to offering consumers greater choice, and a commonality across Franke’s A line of modular coffee machines, is the interactive touchscreen control, which provides users with the ability to easily make drinks with flavours and syrups. According to Howcroft, this feature is greatly appreciated at service stations, convenience stores, train stations and offices alike. He said: “With the touchscreen…the customer can adjust all the individual ingredients to create their own product. Many of our loyal customers comment on the different beverages and choices available, such as cappuccinos, lattes with hot or cold milk foam or seasonal coffee drinks.” This large and intuitive touchscreen is particularly important for the self-service sector, Howcroft shared. “People can select the drink they want on the spot, as they can already see all the drinks on offer on the screen.” Variety in the workplace Daniele Foti, vice president of marketing at Flavia, a manufacturer of single-serve coffee systems and part of the Lavazza portfolio, similarly maintains that “variety is paramount” for innovation in coffee vending machines – particularly in the workplace. “As the day goes on, consumers’ needs get more complex. Specifically, for a workplace beverage solution, you have to be able to meet the needs and varying tastes and preferences of all employees,” she told Refreshment. “In the post-Covid workplace, consumer preferences have changed. Categories such as cold brew, espresso-based beverages and flavoured waters are constantly growing.” Foti believes that a multi-beverage, multi-brand platform is the answer–designed for convenience and built specially to satisfy the wide range of drinks needs in the workplace. Flavia’s Creation 300 and Creation 600 workplace beverage systems, for example, are designed to meet the demands of high-traffic workplaces, offering customisation options that prioritise freshness, variety and adaptability. Both systems have the option of adding a cold drinks module, which means the machine can brew both hot and cold drinks without adding ice. “Brewing both hot and cold beverages, along with other innovative features such as in-cup frothing, our offer a complete beverage solution with no need to leave the office to head to a coffee shop,” said Foti. A consistent brew One of the advantages of an automatic machine, as opposed to a barista-made drink, is the ability to guarantee a consistently high-quality brew. As Flavia’s Foti stated: “A great-tasting cup of coffee is highly dependent on how it’s brewed.” WMF machines use intelligent technology to ensure that users always enjoy a top-quality coffee. Sensor-based features such as ‘Dynamic Milk Assist’ and ‘Dynamic Coffee Assist’ independently monitor the quality of the beverage being made, and intervene if necessary. Franke’s iQFlow technology, meanwhile, allows the operator to customise multiple flavour profiles. Once these pre-set flavours have been established, the iQFlow intelligent technology corresponds in real-time to consistently craft the perfect coffee experience for customers. Tested against other solutions over a four month period, machines with iQFlow demonstrated minimal variance in taste, flavour and aroma. With Flavia brewers, all drinks are brewed straight from pack to cup with no contact in between. “That means you get a true brew made just for you, with no flavour transfer from previously brewed drinks,” said Foti. Digital dispensing As its remit widens, intelligent technology can offer operators far more than simply ensuring a consistent roast. The use of digitalisation is growing across all aspects of the automatic coffee industry, making its way into servicing, marketing, cleaning, payment and more. WMF’s Fähnle identified how the digitalisation of payment is giving operators the option to extend service hours outside of regular opening hours – widening the opportunity for generating revenue. “Traditional opening hours will increasingly become a thing of the past. Looking at catering concepts in the convenience sector, for example, operators and restaurateurs must ensure that coffee is available around the clock, even though many of them are struggling with staff shortages. In particular, self-service solutions with digital touchpoints and mobile payment options are booming.” The WMF CoffeeConnect digital platform aims to expand the possibilities and business opportunities of digital hospitality in a targeted manner. Examples of these innovative business concepts highlighted by Fähnle include payment options directly at the machine, networked customer loyalty programmes, unmanned stores and minimarkets as well as robot cafés. IoT servicing Marcel van Driel, sales manager at out-of-home coffee machine manufacturer De Jong Duke, highlights IoT-connected coffee machines as a key trend in machine innovation. “Today’s generation of coffee machines is switching from hardware devices to software devices,” he explained. “IoT solutions…enable higher service at lower cost.” The Dutch manufacturer has developed its own connectivity tool, ‘ConnectMe,’ which means that all of its coffee machines can be connected online. This has a positive effect on a range of metrics, including sustainability, efficiency and quality control. “When coffee machines are connected to ConnectMe, additional energy-saving benefits become evident,” said van Driel. “Customers can save up to 30% of energy through an adaptive energy-saving mode, on top of the regular, pre-programmed energy-saving setting. ConnectMe analyses user trends on the machines and automatically activates the energy-saving mode when appropriate, ensuring that the equipment remains operational whenever it is needed.” Furthermore, the ConnectMe two-way communication solution means that operators can service their machines remotely, allowing them to to change recipes, customise menus and reboot machines–all without being on-site. Franke machines have a similar connected system, which allows operators to monitor a fleet of machines, keep track of sales records, alter pre-set menus and communicate important messages. Franke’s Howcroft commented: “In vending, it’s beneficial to have a bi-directional system where [operators] can read key data in terms of performance per location, as well as push new developments, such as seasonal menu updates, without having to send a technician”. With its rich taste and aroma and its stimulating effects, coffee is an important everyday ritual across both social and professional settings: connecting people and fueling creativity. Automatic coffee machines offer a key opportunity for operators to meet demand for coffee in myriad venues and situations, but without the expense and logistics of a staffed coffee counter. #coffeemachine #coffee #technology