What Tools And Equipment Do I Need To Open A Coffee Shop?

If you want to run your coffee shop, it will take more than a well-roasted coffee bean to run a successful one!

The coffee industry is growing daily, and running a coffee shop, despite its benefits, has so many challenges. It would benefit if you also had a complete checklist of equipment needed in your café.

Furthermore, to run a successful business, you need to research the latest trends in finding the best coffee shop accessories and ingredients which supply your budget.

To make your research more accessible, we have covered you with a complete coffee shop equipment list to get you started.

In this report, we have gathered a complete list of all the Coffee shop equipment, which we’ll examine in the following sections.

Coffee shop equipment list

Here’s a list of typical equipment you might find in a coffee shop:

• Espresso machine: A high-pressure machine that brews espresso shots for use in drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos.
• Coffee grinder: Used to grind whole coffee beans into the proper consistency for brewing.
• Drip coffee maker: A machine that brews coffee by dripping hot water through ground coffee.
• French press: A manual coffee maker that uses a plunger to push down coffee grounds and separate them from the water.
• Milk frother: Used to heat and froth milk for lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso-based drinks.
• Blender: Used to make blended drinks like frappuccinos and smoothies.
• Tea kettle: Used to heat water for tea.
• Tea infuser: A device used to steep loose tea leaves in hot water.
• Water filtration system: Used to filter tap water to remove impurities and improve the taste of coffee and tea.
• Refrigerator: Used to store milk, cream, and other ingredients.
• Ice machine: Used to make ice for cold drinks.
• POS system: Point of sale system that handles transactions, inventory management, and other business functions.
• Cash register: Used to handle cash transactions.
• Display cases: Used to showcase baked goods and other food items.
• Cleaning supplies: Used to keep the equipment and shop clean and hygienic.

List of equipment needed to run a coffee shop

To run a successful coffee industry business, you must prepare its equipment. What do you need in your café and how should they be? Here we have added some of the essential equipment to run a coffee shop.

We will examine them one by one:

Coffee grinder machine

The coffee preparation process is vital to getting the best quality of the resulting product. To make a good and tasty coffee, you need a good coffee machine and another essential piece of equipment, a coffee grinder.

A coffee grinder machine is a tool that assists the barista in extracting the aroma and taste of coffee beans and allows them to brew delicious, high-quality coffee.

In most cases, the grinder is the crucial aspect of coffee making, though most professionals believe that the grinder machine is the show’s star.

It is recommended to read this article: How To Grind Coffee?

Types of coffee makers and espresso machines

You can make a delicious cup of the world’s most popular beverages in many ways. Here we have listed different coffee makers and espresso machines to brew coffee.

• Espresso machines
• Lever Espresso Machines (Manual)
• Siphon Coffee Makers: Read the siphon coffee maker buying guide.
• Electric Drip Coffee Makers
• Electric Thermal Coffee Makers
• Percolators
• French Press
• AeroPress: If you want to know about this tool, read the Aeropress article.
• Cold Brew Coffee Makers
• Moka Pot Coffee Makers
• Ibrik or cezve

espresso machines or coffee makers are the leading equipment in a coffee shop. They are like the sun, and all the other things orbit around it.

So you must choose them carefully to serve high-quality coffee as a barista.

Ice maker machine

To make a glass of a cold drink on hot summer days, you need an ice maker machine. It helps make cold coffees which are mostly needed on hot days.

A simple commercial ice machine that can produce around 200 lbs. of ice daily costs you approximately $1,500.

Also, there is a large ice maker that produces almost 1,900 lbs. of ice a day. So based on your need, you can purchase a good one for your coffee shop.

Milk jug

To buy a high-quality milk jug, you need to consider four main points: The Shape and Size, Material and surface treatment, Spout, and Handle.

To serve the best latte arts for customers, don’t forget these elements while buying a milk jug.

Refrigerator and freezer

There is no need to mention you DO need a Refrigerator and freezer to keep your ingredients fresh. Try to find the best commercial refrigerator brands and use them in your coffee house.

Coffee Scales

To scale the exact weight of everything, including coffee beans and other ingredients, you need an excellent digital Coffee Scale.

Dishwasher

To clean up your dishes! Having a dishwasher in a coffee shop is a must. It shortens the cycle of washing the words; it can help your service better to the customers.

Although you might have hired someone to wash the dishes in the busy times in the café, you will feel the need for this equipment.

coffee roaster machine

some people use green coffee beans because they can be kept without losing quality or taste. But to bring out the aroma and flavor locked inside the green coffee beans, you need a great coffee roaster machine.

Key Points for Coffee Equipment

What sets successful cafes apart from the rest is, of course, the unique taste of their coffee. When selecting equipment, you need to pay special attention to price performance, durability, and speed. Consider how many types of coffee you want to offer and decide which machines are suitable for you based on that.

Also, consider the quality of the water in your city and the quality of the milk you use. Competition among cafe owners is fierce. Every detail matters.

Essential equipment:

• Coffee maker
• Coffee grinders
• Espresso machine
• Used coffee grounds container
• Milk frother
• Coffee filter
• Hot water supply
• Possibly a water filter for better-tasting water
• Products of special importance:
• High-quality milk
• Milk alternatives like oat milk or almond milk
• Various syrups
• Additional features for your coffee specialties

Accessories

For many cafes, takeout service is now the new norm. Many of your customers are on the go or prefer to enjoy their coffee in outdoor spaces or while walking.

Accessories that represent your brand can also be a great tool for promoting your name and increasing awareness of your business.

• Essential items for selling on the go:
• Coffee cups and lids separately
• Coffee cup sleeves
• Straws and stirrers
• Napkins and cutlery
• Takeout boxes

What is the cooking equipment needed for a coffee shop?

If you want to serve breakfast, sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, or cupcakes and donuts in your coffee shop to win your customers’ hearts, you need cooking equipment like:

• pancake and waffle maker
• ovens
• toasters
• stand mixer
• Industrial blenders.
• And so on.

You can use cooking equipment to broaden the items on your menu, satisfy your customers, and make them loyal buyers.

Point of Sale Equipment

The most efficient way to accept payments in your café is to use the gastro POS system. With the appropriate POS software and hardware, you can accept payments flexibly and manage your business hassle-free.

For small retail shops and simple contactless card readers, setting up your café shop is easier.

Using a POS system in your store means that you can handle all essential business operations from a single location. You can process orders quickly and clearly and offer multiple payment options to your customers.

Here are some of the most important sales devices on your checklist:

• Apple iPad or tablet
• iPad/tablet stand
• Receipt printer (such as Epson)
• Receipt printer paper
• Cash register
• Contactless payment card reader

Hygiene Equipment

Like all restaurant owners, cafe owners must adhere to relatively strict hygiene standards. These standards are designed not only to maintain cleanliness but also to prevent infection and food allergies.

For this reason, tables, dishwashing sinks, and counters should be made of stainless steel. Stainless steel is not only a durable and scratch-resistant material but also easy to clean and prevents the buildup of bacteria.

During a hygiene training course, you will learn exactly what to pay attention to within a 2-hour session.

Your basic equipment:

• Masks
• Hand sanitizer and disinfectant (for employees and customers)
• Latex gloves
• Aprons
• Insect repellent
• Bait stations for rodents
• Dish towels
• Surface disinfectant spray
• Trash bags
• Kitchen roll
• Floor mop
• Vacuum cleaner
• Various surface and floor cleaning products

Your Café’s Interior and Exterior Design

Of course, the furniture and decoration are also part of your cafe. Setting up requires good planning, and if executed well, it can even make your business stand out as a unique selling point.

Ensure that you not only create a comfortable environment but also make optimal use of the available space.

It’s also essential that your facilities match your concept and target audience. This is the only way to create a positive feeling for your customers and turn them into repeat customers.

You need the following setups:

Indoor

Tables

Chairs, comfortable seating, barstools, cushioned benches

Lamps and lighting

Tablecloths

Salt and pepper shakers

Possibly a first aid kit

Possibly decorative items like vases, candles, or artwork

Caution signs for slip safety to ensure guest safety during floor cleaning

Outdoor

Weather-resistant outdoor furniture like tables and chairs

Plants

Outdoor ashtrays

Sun umbrellas

Restroom

Toilet paper

Toilet brush

Soap

Cleaning supplies

Hand towels or paper towels

What Equipment is needed for washing the espresso machine?

A clean espresso machine is also vital if you have ever wondered what is essential in creating the best taste in a coffee, despite the type of coffee and the method you use for Brewing coffee.

For this reason, you need some equipment for washing the espresso machine, which is listed here:

• Espresso Machine Cleaner
• Blank portafilter basket
• A dish towel or rag
• A Scotch-Brite pad
• Metal or glass bowl to soak the portafilter in it
• Group brush
• Steam wand brush
• Dairy cleanser

What are the Important points before buying coffee shop equipment?

Before buying anything, you need to know what you will serve in your coffee shop? Would you like to keep it simple and fill coffee cups, or do you want to add additional options to your menu?

So to be more precise, your menu will determine the coffee shop equipment.

How much capital is needed for a coffee shop?

The amount of capital needed to start a coffee shop can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the size and location of the shop, the level of equipment and supplies needed, and the cost of labor and rent. Generally, it’s estimated that the initial investment to open a coffee shop can range from $80,000 to $300,000 or more. This estimate includes costs for equipment, rent, permits, furniture, supplies, inventory, marketing, and staffing.

Some of the key expenses to consider when estimating your startup costs are:

• Rent and utilities
• Equipment and supplies
• Inventory
• Marketing and advertising
• Salaries and wages
• Licenses and permits
• Insurance
• Legal and accounting fees

It’s important to conduct thorough research and create a detailed business plan to determine your specific needs and costs. You may also want to consider seeking the advice of a financial advisor or small business consultant to help you determine your startup costs and create a realistic budget.

To wind things up

To open and run a coffee shop, you need to have lots of information about the types of equipment.

It is not just about the financial issues; you need to know what equipment is necessary to run a coffee shop.

There are some accessories you don’t need at the start; you don’t need to waste time and money on them. But here you can find all the best equipment for opening a coffee shop.

If you are running a coffee shop, please share your experience about buying its equipment and make a conversation down below. Also, if you want to begin working in this industry, tell us if this information was practical.