happy employeeIt’s easy to overlook “kitchen issues” at the office. The mugs are piling up in the sink. There are stains all over the counter. Employees roll their eyes at the k-cup selection; “oh. Breakfast Blend. Again.” And the creamer? Half and half – on a good day. But it’s hard to overlook these “minor” issues when they snowball into their potential… Your kitchen starts to smell like rotting coffee grounds. Your employees grow irritated, day after day, at the lack of variety staring back at them. They begin to lose motivation, re-enforcing to each other, in hushed whispers of resentment, this idea that you don’t care about their well-being.

 

coffee marketAs smaller coffee programs fight for their fair share of the coffee market, and larger chains sink their teeth into profit potential, we’re seeing a wave of maddening innovation sweep the country. Unique selling tactics, merchandise displays, social media integration – new approaches to capture a piece of the coffee market are popping out of the wood work on a consistent basis. It’s almost as if there is no limit to the amount of renovation, transformation and enhancement coffee bars can initiate.

 

wifi smart coffee machineHave you ever wondered what it would be like to drink coffee in space? What about sit in a Wes Anderson wonderland, complete with vintage pinball machines, while sipping on your morning mocha? With the most recent breakthroughs in the coffee industry, from farming and roasting, to production and culture, we’re creating, drinking and enjoying our java in ways we never thought possible.

national coffee dayAs September draws to a close and the fall weather sets in, we at Quality Express Coffee are celebrating our favorite day of the year: National Coffee Day.

When is National Coffee Day?

While many countries around the world recognized this holiday, the United States and 20 other countries recognize September 29th as our blessed day.

Although our Java Genius’ spend most of their time in the lab, working tirelessly on bold new blends to keep the world buzzing, one or two of our Genius’ love history.  What better time to discuss the story of our favorite caffeinated beverage than the day dedicated to coffee?

 

nro 2 coverFinding ways to increase convenience store coffee sales can be tough when you feel that you’ve exhausted the standard methods of bringing in business. Discounts, special promotions, and loyalty perks can only take your business so far. Here are some tips that shift the sales focus and responsibility to your actual brick and mortar store, that will not only entice new customers but also encourage repeat customers to come back often

  1. Coffee should always be fresh

There are so many things to consider before hiring a coffee service these days: Are their prices reasonable? Can I trust them? Will they deliver decent service? The competition is fierce, and everyone is trying to get into your wallet. Few are trying to make a home in your heart, earn your trust and deliver the quality of service they promised over the phone.

In the coffee industry, it’s sometimes difficult to judge a “good” service from a “bad” service. After all, most customers just want their beverage bar stocked and their machines running smoothly. But there are a lot of other factors that determine good from bad. For example, is the delivery on time? Did they note your current and future inventory needs? Are they considerate to your staff?

 

office coffeeEmployers recognize the importance of keeping their employees happy and energized without having them leave the facility to go wait in line for a cup of gourmet coffee or hot beverage. Happy employees are productive employees. Companies are starting to see that creating positive, relaxing environments for employees will lead to greater productivity and longer tenure.

Coffee Machines

The choices of how to prepare your morning cup of joe have exploded in the last 5 years. From instant coffee with actually flavor and depth, to completely self contained caffeine infusion systems with 100’s of flavor combinations, there is a brewing system for everyone and every company. The number of different brewing systems available can be overwhelming, but here are a few must knows:

  • traditional glass pot brewer
  • thermal carafe brewer
  • single cup pod brewer or K cup brewer
  • french press brewer