Top 3 Examples of Office Coffee Solutions Employees Love

Coffee remains one of the most important components of the modern workplace experience, but in 2026, how you deliver it matters just as much as whether you offer it.

Across Crafty-powered workplaces, coffee accounts for 14% of total pantry spend, while drinks overall make up 28%, signaling a major shift toward beverage-led workplace experiences.

At the same time, companies are rethinking office perks through the lens of performance and well-being. 88% of business leaders say food programs boost office attendance, making office coffee solutions a direct lever for engagement and return-to-office success.

If employees are coming in, the experience needs to feel worth it. A well-designed office coffee station helps offset daily costs, with workplace amenities saving employees $2–$22 per office visit. So let's dive into the three ways you can bring that to life.

3 Office Coffee Solution Options

Option 1: Single-Serve Cans and Bottles

Pros

• Affordable. Individually packaged beverages don’t have as high of an upfront cost as installing sophisticated espresso machines.
• Easy to implement. While equipment like bean-to-cup coffee machines and kegerators require things like electric and water lines, single-serve cans need nothing more than refrigeration.
• Convenient. Employees don’t need to be amateur baristas. They can just grab their drink and get on with their work

Cons

• Lack of customization. With single-serve bottles, you sacrifice customization for convenience.
• Packaging waste. Single-serve cans and bottles contribute to excess waste. But we encourage you to recycle when possible.

Office Coffee Station Staples

• Single-Serve Cold Brew: Cold brew (don’t confuse it with iced coffee!) has been trending for the past couple of years with iced and cold brew making up ~4%, reflecting a strong preference for smoother, ready-to-drink options.
• Cold Brew Kegs: Kegerators are a great way to offer cold brew while cutting down on packaging waste. They’re also more affordable, with a lower cost per serving than single-serve cans. A freestanding kegerator can fit into any space you find, as long as it has access to an outlet. And our Field Ops team will take care of refilling them and wiping them down.
• Tea: Not everyone drinks coffee, so be sure to stock up on both caffeinated and herbal teas to be mindful of your team’s diverse preferences.  
  • Pure Leaf Unsweetened Black Tea: This Pure Leaf tea has been a Crafty client favorite and has no added sugar or colors.
  • ITO EN Oi Ocha - Unsweetened Green Tea: Your team will love this unsweetened green tea from an AAPI-owned company and Japan's #1 green tea brand.
  • Just Ice Tea Berry Hibiscus Herbal Tea: For a refreshing tea without caffeine, this hibiscus herbal tea hydrates and is high in antioxidants.
• Cocoa: Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate forr a hot cocoa option, you can’t go wrong with a classic: Swiss Miss.
• Kombucha: With two-thirds of consumers purchasing functional beverages weekly, adding kombucha or better-for-you drinks turns your setup from a perk into a performance tool. 
  • GT's Kombucha - Synergy Gingerade: This organic and raw kombucha packs an extra kick with fresh-pressed ginger juice.
  • Health-Ade Pink Lady Apple Kombucha: Another organic and raw option, this Health-Ade kombucha has cold-pressed apple juice for a fruitier flavor.

Option 2: Office Coffee Machine Setups

Pros

• Customization: Bean-to-cup coffee makers and milk frothers give your employees the highest level of drink customization, whether they’re craving an Americano, cappuccino, or the well-loved latte.
• Premium taste: Nothing beats freshly ground coffee from a high-end machine. It’s why that cup from your coffee shop always tastes better.
• Handles larger capacities: Crafty has machines that can brew 280 cups per hour and beyond. So for enterprises with 200+ headcount, coffee equipment setups are the way to go

Cons

• Larger investment: This coffee setup requires not just the money but also the infrastructure to support it, including countertop space, water and electrical lines, and floor drains.
• Learning curve: It might take some time for employees to figure out all the bells and whistles on a machine.
• Maintenance: Top-of-the-line coffee equipment requires regular maintenance (but with Crafty as your service provider, we’ll take care of that for you)

Office Coffee Station Staples

For workplaces intent on crafting an immersive coffee shop experience, having bean-to-cup espresso or commercial drip machines onsite is a fantastic investment. Your staff will feel pampered and perked up thanks to this office coffee setup.

When it comes to sourcing equipment, Crafty has many options available for free with a monthly spend, for rent, or for purchase, including:

• Nespresso Pod Machine: For a fast, single-serve option with a smaller footprint, the Nespresso Momento 100 delivers convenience and consistency. Pods make up 3% of total pantry spend, reinforcing their role as a supplemental format rather than the primary driver of coffee consumption.
• Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine: The WMF 1500S+ Three Hopper Bean-to-Cup Espresso Machine is a coffee lover’s dream. With multiple bean hoppers, milk systems, and a touchscreen interface, it delivers a fully customizable experience. Coffee beans account for 5% of total pantry spend, showing that when offices invest in quality, employees use it.
• Classic Drip Coffee Machine: The BUNN Infusion Twin Tall is built for scale, serving up to 280 drinks per hour. It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable, consistent, and essential for high-volume environments. If you need less capacity, the Infusion Single Tall is a strong alternative.

Option 3: Combination

Pros

• Highest level of variety and customization. Combines grab-and-go convenience with premium, made-to-order options.
• Premium taste. Employees get access to high-quality coffee alongside ready-to-drink alternatives.
• Highest capacity. Designed to support large teams with varying preferences and schedules.

Cons

• Significant investment. Requires both equipment and ongoing product inventory.
• Learning curve. Multiple formats mean more options to navigate.
• Maintenance. Requires consistent service and oversight to keep everything running smoothly.

Office Coffee Station Staples

You can build a fully dynamic setup that supports how employees actually work throughout the day:

• Cold Brew Kegs: Keep your team’s favorite cold brew on tap while reducing packaging waste and lowering cost per serving.
• Single-Serve Coffee & Tea: Stock the fridge with a mix of canned lattes, bottled teas, and functional beverages to support grab-and-go moments.
• Bean-to-Cup Machines & Espresso Equipment: Offer a premium, customizable experience for employees who want to slow down and craft their drink.
• Dairy & Plant-Based Milks: Support a wider range of preferences with both traditional and alternative milk options.

If you want to communicate to your employees that you truly value them and their office experience, combining single-serve options with office coffee machines gets that message across loud and clear.

Top 3 Office Coffee Station Trends

• Function is driving demand: 40% of food and beverage launches now include functional benefits, with employees prioritizing energy, focus, and hydration over sugary options.
• Variety is now expected: Coffee accounts for 14% of pantry spend while total beverages make up 28%, reflecting demand for cold brew, tea, and alternative drinks alongside traditional coffee.
• Data is shaping decisions: 72% of leaders prioritize data, and 73% of procurement teams use AI to optimize product mix, reduce waste, and improve program performance.

Office Coffee Spend Breakdown

Across Crafty-powered workplaces, coffee remains a core category, but it’s part of a larger beverage ecosystem.

Spend Allocation (Coffee Category)

• Coffee beans: 5%
• Cold brew & iced coffee: 4%
• Pods: 3%
• Sweeteners & creamers: 2%

Best Coffee Types

🥇Cold brew

🥈Coffee beans

🥉Coffee pods

Good Coffee Beans

🥇Medium

🥈Dark

🥉Light

Top Teas

🥇Green tea

🥈Black tea

🥉Herbal

Best Coffee Creamer & Sweeteners

🥇Half & half

🥈Cream

🥉Sugar

Conclusion

The role of coffee in the workplace has evolved from a simple perk to a strategic part of the employee experience. The most effective office coffee solutions today balance convenience, quality, and variety while aligning with how teams actually work. Whether you’re starting with grab-and-go options or building a full café-style setup, the key is to design a program that supports energy, encourages connection, and adapts over time. With the right mix of products, equipment, and data-driven decisions, your coffee station can become one of the most impactful and appreciated parts of your workplace.