American director and screenwriter David Lynch said, “I like cappuccino, actually. But even a bad cup of coffee is better than no coffee at all.” That quote is reflective of the general public and consumers loyalty to their coffee. 59% of people over the age of 18 drink coffee every single day.
Do you have coffee and other hot beverages in your lineup? Just because the temps are rising, doesn't mean the temps of your beverages, shouldn't. People want hot beverages year-round. Don’t forget about this line of beverages when you consider your product offerings...
Hot Beverages, Year-Round
In an annual trend report for 2015, store operators said they expect sales to increase for brewed coffee and specialty coffee beverages in 2016. Coffee keeps evolving and can’t even be classified as a “trend.” It’s a staple and mainstay of society’s food and beverage options. And it’s not just coffee. The U.S. market for tea has more than quadrupled during the past two decades, according to the U.S. Tea Association, and more than 50% of Americans drink tea daily.
Despite what you might think, hot beverage options aren’t just for winter. Research shows that hot-dispensed beverage consumption stays steady throughout the year, with a slight increase in October as autumn arrives. So you know what that means … people want their beverages hot; 90% of coffee drinkers prefer it hot … so give them options!
Numbers Don't Lie
In 2002, the U.S. coffee and snack shops total revenue was $16.6 billion, in 2015 it reached $31.1 billion. Perhaps a better word for the global coffee phenomenon is habit instead of trend. The beverage options in the revenue totals include brewed coffee, specialty coffees, hot chocolate or cocoa, and tea. If it’s hot, it’s hot on the market. Beverages are always in demand, and they are one of the fastest selling items in every food outlet.
Gone are the days of beverages being limited to drip coffee, in either regular or decaf if you were lucky. Today, the wide variety of premium and specialty hot beverage items c-stores can offer patrons is endless. Coffee. Flavored coffee. Cappuccino. Flavored cappuccino. Herbal-infused teas. Specialty syrups, creamers, and the packaging to rival the coffee shops’. Young buyers are particularly honed in on hot beverage variety, preferring more than just traditional offerings, and only 51% of millennials own a traditional coffee pot. They have to get their caffeine somewhere, and you can be that somewhere for their fix.
Hot Beverages You Can Pour for Your Patrons
Just as there’s a steady coffee consumption throughout the year, the time of day at which it’s consumed also matters. Contrary to popular belief, morning isn’t “the best time” to drink coffee. Research conducted found that a hormone called cortisol – which makes humans feel alert and awake – naturally kicks in between 8-9am as people are enjoying their first cups of coffee or tea. How does this affect you? Keep the hot beverages hot all day, as people take coffee breaks throughout their days, and will rely on its availability on their whim.
At Bernick’s, we have options to suit your needs. We can supply the equipment including a hot tea maker, cappuccino machine, single cup brewing machine, or coffee counter, plus the components needed like insulated cups and dome lids to serve your beverages in. Our product portfolio is expansive, plus we have hot beverage specialists available to help you acquire the hot beverage setup you need for your patrons. Some of our brands include:
- Caribou Coffee
- Pure Leaf
- New England Coffee
- Starbucks
- Wolfgang Puck
These brands and more come in K-cups or traditional grounds, whatever your machines require. Plus, the syrups, creamers, and sweeteners like Coffee-Mate will elevate your product line and make you a true destination for specialty coffee, hot tea, and other hot beverages.
Don't underestimate the power of hot beverages for your employees and customers. If you're ready to update or expand your offerings, let us know - we make it easy.
