3 Ways to Provide Coffee in Your Workplace

by Kevin Smith Author

Whether it's the beginning of the early shift or the mid-afternoon lull, many American workers turn to coffee to rejuvenate their minds. Providing coffee in your office can increase productivity, creativity, and employee satisfaction. There are various ways to bring delicious caffeine to your workplace, each with its pros and cons.

1. Thermal Coffee Maker

Thermal coffee makers are similar to standard drip coffee makers. However, instead of a glass pot, thermal coffee makers include a thermal carafe. This design helps coffee stay hot and fresh for several hours.

These coffee makers are great for large workplaces because many can brew ten or more cups at once. Thanks to the thermal carafe, workers with various coffee-drinking habits can enjoy a hot cup no matter what time they choose to go to the break room. This style of coffee-making also allows employers to choose which brand of coffee to use and buy in bulk, making it a cost-effective option.

On the downside, each time somebody takes a few minutes to make a pot of coffee, it will take that much productive work time out of their day. Drip coffee makers are usually not very complicated, but if somebody gets it wrong, it could cause a mess, coffee stains on the furniture and floor, or even a broken coffee maker. Make sure anyone who uses your coffee maker knows how to use it properly.

2. Keurig Coffee Maker

Keurig coffee makers usually brew a single cup at a time. The coffee grinds come in single-serving containers called K-Cups. Along with coffee, Keurigs can brew other beverages like tea and hot chocolate.

A Keurig coffee maker is a good choice if you're looking for variety and convenience. Since it makes only one cup at a time, each employee can choose whatever flavor they want. K-Cups are easier to dispose of than large coffee filters. In addition, some Keurigs include a screen that gives instructions to operate the machine, which helps people who have never used a Keurig before.

Unfortunately, plastic K-Cups create more waste than bagged coffee grounds, making Keurigs less environmentally friendly than traditional coffee makers. Also, Keurigs can be more expensive than drip coffee makers.

3. Delivery

If you're planning to treat your employees with occasional coffee, delivery is a great option. You can order fresh-brewed coffee from your favorite local cafe without needing to wait in a long line. A great feature of coffee delivery is its variety. Your employees can order specialty drinks like lattes and frappes that an office coffee maker couldn't create. If you're on a tighter budget, you can simply order the house brew for everyone.

One downside to this option is the waiting time. Delivery is usually fairly fast, but it may feel too slow for workers who want their caffeine fix as soon as possible. Over a long period of time, delivery is more expensive than many office coffee makers. However, if you only plan to provide coffee on occasion, delivery is a much cheaper option than buying a coffee maker that will just sit there collecting dust on most days.

Whether you buy an office coffee maker or take advantage of coffee delivery in Atlanta, your employees will thank you for refreshing their minds and creating a more vibrant workplace.