If you are looking for a simple, evidence-backed way to improve focus, retention, and team culture in your workplace, the answer may already be sitting in your break room — or rather, missing from it.
Coffee machines for offices are no longer a minor amenity: the data shows they are one of the most powerful tools available to employers seeking to create a more engaged, productive workforce.
Read on to discover what the research says, what employees actually expect, and how to make the right choice for your organisation.
The modern workplace is undergoing a profound transformation. As return-to-office mandates become more common across the UK, employers are asking a critical question: what genuinely motivates people to come back and to stay engaged when they do? The answers emerging from employee surveys are telling, and one stands out above all others: quality coffee.
Not a quirky games room. Not designer lighting. Not plants. According to research conducted in 2024, high-quality coffee is the number one office perk employees are looking for, ranked above break areas, improved lighting, and leisure facilities. And the implications of getting this right go far beyond a good morning cup.
The UK has always had a deep relationship with hot beverages, but something significant has changed in recent years. According to Statista (2024), 76% of UK adults now drink coffee, with 68% doing so daily.
In a landmark cultural moment, 2023 marked the first year that coffee consumption in the UK overtook tea — a shift that would have seemed unthinkable a generation ago.
The scale of this demand is striking:
This last point is particularly relevant for employers. Workers who are accustomed to a quality flat white or single-origin espresso at home will not be satisfied with a stale instant coffee at the office
The gap between what employees expect and what they actually receive in the workplace is more significant than many employers realise.
Consider these figures from a 2024 employee survey (1,000 respondents, UK):
In other words, a large proportion of the workforce is either underserved or entirely without a coffee solution. This is not a peripheral concern. When asked to rank the perks that would most improve their working environment, employees placed high-quality coffee at the top — ahead of every other option presented:
|
Office perk |
Employee priority |
|
High-quality coffee |
55% |
|
Better break area |
17% |
|
Improved lighting |
17% |
|
Plants and greenery |
11% |
|
Games (table tennis, darts, etc.) |
7% |
Source: illy survey, August 2024 (1,000 respondents)
The connection between quality coffee and workplace performance is measurable.
In a 2024 study among UK office workers:
That final point deserves particular attention. At a time when organisations are investing significantly in return-to-office strategies, a quality office coffee machine may achieve what workplace design and policy alone cannot: genuinely making the office a place people want to be.
The impact of coffee in the workplace extends well beyond individual productivity. It is also a powerful signal — one that communicates to employees how much their employer values them.
The data on this is striking:
These are not trivial numbers. In the current talent market, where employee engagement and retention are among the most pressing challenges for HR and operations leaders, workplace experience plays a decisive role. The coffee machine in your office is a statement about your culture.
Think of it this way: when a new employee joins and finds a high-quality, well-maintained coffee solution in the kitchen, it sets an expectation of care and professionalism. When they find a limescale-covered machine with out-of-date pods, it sets a different one entirely.
Sustainability is no longer a differentiator in the workplace — it is a baseline expectation. And coffee is no exception.
According to research among UK office workers, 80% say that a sustainable coffee offering is important in their workplace
For employers committed to ESG reporting, carbon reduction targets, and responsible procurement, this matters. The sustainability credentials of your coffee supply chain — from how beans are sourced and traded to how packaging is handled — increasingly come under scrutiny from employees, clients, and investors alike.
When evaluating coffee machines for offices, it is worth considering not just the hardware but the supply chain behind the product:
Bean-to-cup machines, in particular, tend to perform well on sustainability metrics — grinding whole beans to order eliminates the need for individual packaging and reduces waste, while delivering a fresher, higher-quality result.
Selecting the right coffee machine for an office environment involves balancing several factors: daily consumption volumes, the quality and variety of beverages expected, ease of maintenance, and the overall footprint of the machine.
The following overview covers the main categories of office coffee solution available in the UK market:
|
Machine type |
Daily capacity |
Milk option |
Best for |
Maintenance |
|
Compact bean-to-cup (e.g. 20–50 cups/day) |
Up to 50 cups |
Fresh milk |
Small premium offices, up to ~15 staff |
Daily basic cleaning |
|
Mid-range bean-to-cup (e.g. 50–200 cups/day) |
Up to 200 cups |
Fresh milk |
Medium offices, 20–80 staff |
Daily cleaning |
|
High-volume bean-to-cup (200–600 cups/day) |
Up to 600 cups |
Powdered |
Large offices, open plans, co-working |
Weekly |
|
Multi-beverage bean-to-cup |
Up to 250 cups |
Powdered |
Airports, stations, large corporate offices |
Weekly |
|
Portioned/capsule machine |
Up to 70 cups |
Powdered |
Small premium offices requiring low maintenance |
Biweekly |
Source: illy UK Office Solutions guide
Key considerations when choosing:
The evidence is clear: coffee machines for offices are a strategic investment in productivity, culture, and employee wellbeing.
illy is Italy's number one premium coffee brand and the first Italian B Corp certified coffee company. With a fully sustainable and traceable supply chain, a 2033 commitment to carbon neutrality, and a portfolio of flexible office solutions designed for every scale of operation, illy brings together unrivalled quality and responsible sourcing in one coherent offering.
From compact bean-to-cup solutions for boutique workplaces to high-volume systems for large corporate environments, illy's UK office range is tailored to meet the demands of modern British organisations — with technical support, training, and a service model built around your needs.
Request a free trial to experience the difference quality coffee makes in your workplace!