If you know … you KNOW. Coffee is more than a beverage — it’s a daily ritual, a comfort, and a key touchpoint for both employees and customers. In many workplaces, coffee service is one of the most-used amenities. In customer-facing environments like waiting rooms, retail shops, or lobbies, it often shapes first impressions. That’s why choosing the right commercial coffee machine is a critical decision for businesses of all sizes.
Whether you’re brewing for five staff members or serving a hundred customers a day, the machine you select impacts taste, convenience, maintenance demands, and your bottom line. In this guide, we’ll walk through the core criteria businesses should consider when selecting a commercial coffee machine, from usage volume and machine type to maintenance, budget, and support options.
Let’s get brewing.
1. Evaluate Business Type and Volume Needs
The first step in selecting the right coffee machine is understanding your business’s unique needs. Ask yourself:
- How many people will use this machine daily?
- Will it be employee-only or customer-facing?
- Do you need a self-serve station or a staff-operated setup?
- How many cups per hour/day are expected?
For example:
- Small offices (under 25 people) can typically use compact single-serve machines or smaller bean-to-cup systems.
- Mid-sized workplaces (25–75 employees) may benefit from larger brewers with faster output and more beverage options.
- High-traffic environments like hotels, clinics, or manufacturing floors require robust, high-capacity systems that can keep up with demand while staying reliable throughout the day.
Matching the machine’s size and speed with your coffee volume helps prevent bottlenecks, minimizes waste, and ensures that coffee is always hot and fresh when needed. There is a science to this whole office-thing, and trust us when we say, we are the experts. We thoroughly enjoy creating coffee programs on behalf of our customers and their customers, guests, employees, and consumers.
2. Compare Machine Types and Features
Once you’ve defined your volume needs, it’s time to explore the types of commercial coffee machines available. Each machine category serves a different purpose, and the right choice depends on your operational style, available space, and drink preferences.
Bean-to-Cup Machines
Bean-to-cup machines grind whole beans fresh for every cup, delivering superior flavor and café-level quality. Most include milk systems for lattes, cappuccinos, and other specialty drinks.
- Pros: Fresh taste, wide drink variety, low waste, modern touchscreens
- Best for: Offices, breakrooms, hospitality lounges, and executive areas
- Example: De Jong Duke CoEx XL — Bernick’s carries this premium bean-to-cup option known for ease of use, low maintenance, and customizable drink settings
Single-Serve Machines
These include machines like Keurig systems that use pods or cartridges for individual cups.
- Pros: Minimal cleanup, variety of brands/flavors, easy to use
- Cons: Higher per-cup cost, environmental concerns with pods
- Best for: Small offices, low-volume use, or spaces with diverse taste preferences
Pour-Over Brewers
These traditional coffee makers manually pour water over grounds or use gravity-fed brewing. Ideal for large batches and consistent volume.
- Pros: Simple design, affordable, easy to scale
- Cons: Less customizable, coffee can sit and get stale if not consumed quickly
- Best for: Restaurants, church halls, events, or cafeterias
- Examples: BUNN and Curtis brewers — both brands offer reliable commercial pour-over and batch systems with great performance and durability.
Espresso Machines
True commercial espresso machines are ideal for businesses offering specialty drinks or barista-style service. Bernick’s supplies cappuccino machines (and is evaluating new commercial single-serve espresso machines for 2026!), like Curtis’ ThermoPro; G3 Digital Control Module provides precise control over all aspects of brewing in an intuitive, easy-to-use operating system. Features pre-set “Global Recipes” at the touch of a single button and its stainless-steel ThermoPRO vacuum-sealed servers promise coffee is always fresh, hot, and flavorful.
- Best for: Cafés, coffee shops, or upscale customer-facing venues
3. Consider Maintenance and Usability
Maintenance is one of the most overlooked — but vital — aspects of coffee machine ownership. A machine that’s hard to clean or constantly breaks down can quickly become a drain on staff time and business efficiency.
Look for machines with the following usability features:
- Automated cleaning cycles (especially in bean-to-cup models)
- Easy-to-remove parts for rinsing or sanitizing
- Touchscreen or app-based controls for intuitive operation
- Diagnostics or maintenance alerts to prevent downtime
Bernick’s helps clients select equipment that’s not only reliable but also simple to use and maintain. Machines like the De Jong Duke CoEx XL are specifically designed for workplace ease, minimizing service calls and reducing training time for new users.
4. Budget and Long-Term ROI
Budget is a practical consideration — but keep in mind that coffee machines are long-term investments. Low-cost options may save upfront, but can fall short on reliability, taste, or functionality. When assessing ROI, consider:
- Durability: How long will the machine last with daily use?
- Consumables: Are beans, filters, or pods expensive to replace?
- Energy efficiency: Will the machine help reduce electricity costs over time?
- Waste: Will you be throwing out unused coffee or single-use pods?
There’s also an intangible return: employee morale and customer satisfaction. Offering high-quality, easy-access coffee boosts workplace culture and sends a message of care and professionalism. In customer-facing environments, it elevates brand experience.
Investing in a higher-end machine, like a De Jong Duke or a high-capacity BUNN brewer, often pays for itself through performance, reputation, and reduced operating costs over time.
5. Get Expert Support from Bernick’s
Choosing a commercial coffee machine doesn’t have to be complicated. At Bernick’s, we make it simple. As your full-service coffee partner, we guide businesses from discovery to installation—and beyond.
Here’s how we help:
On-Site Assessments
We visit your space to understand layout, workflow, and user needs. This allows us to recommend the perfect equipment match.
Trial Programs
Want to test-drive a machine before committing? Bernick’s offers demo opportunities so you can explore features, taste quality, and gather staff feedback.
Expert Installation
We don’t just drop off your equipment. Our experienced team handles all setup, water line connections, and programming so you’re ready to go.
Maintenance and Refill Support
From scheduled service to emergency repairs, we’re available whenever you need us. We also help manage bean, filter, and cup refills, making coffee service one less thing to worry about.
Product and Equipment Flexibility
Whether you’re a small office or a multi-site operation, we offer solutions that scale with you. As your business grows or needs change, we help you adapt your coffee program accordingly.
Brew Smarter with Bernick’s
Your coffee service says a lot about your business. The right machine delivers more than just caffeine—it creates moments of connection, comfort, and delight. With so many options on the market, the best way to get it right is to partner with a provider who understands your needs and delivers on every level.
At Bernick’s, we’re proud to help businesses across the region design coffee programs that are efficient, sustainable, and satisfying. From the first cup of the day to the last meeting in the afternoon, we’ll help you brew with confidence, keeping your clients and guests happy and well-caffeinated.
