Your Go-to Guide to Equip Your New Coffee Shop

Katie Fleming

Katie Fleming

Co-founder and COO of Owner Actions

A coffee shop owner works with her equipment.

Thinking of opening a coffee shop? You’ll need to set up your space so your team can create delicious drinks (and possibly meals) efficiently. Some owners find they need hundreds of items are needed to make this happen. So where should you start when you’re ready to equip your new coffee shop? We’re glad you asked.

In this article, you’ll find some of the most supplies and equipment you’ll need for your new coffee shop. This list won’t be all-inclusive. You may find that you need some specialized tools that we don’t list here. With that in mind, use this list as a solid foundation, and add in the items you know you’ll need to be ready for your opening day.

A barista prepares multiple coffee drinks using an espresso machine

Coffee makers

  • One or more automatic drip coffee makers with a water system or water connection
  • One or more commercial-grade espresso machines
  • Multiple coffee or tea presses
  • Multiple metal coffee carafes
  • An industrial coffee grinder
  • One or more industrial-grade blenders
A row of open ovens

Kitchen must-haves

  • A walk-in cooler
  • A display-style refrigerator
  • An oven
  • A commercial-grade microwave
  • A water filtration system
  • A commercial dishwasher
Three sizes of coffee cups sit on a counter

Food prep equipment

  • Syrup pumps
  • Milk carafes
  • Frothing pitchers
  • Airpots
  • Cup dispensers
  • Coffee scoops
  • Portioning spoons
  • Knock box
  • Nitro whip and chargers
  • Portafilters or filter baskets
  • Baking pans and muffin tins
Three sizes of coffee cups sit on a counter

Guest supplies

  • Ceramic mugs and saucers
  • Disposable coffee cups with lids
  • Coffee cup sleeves
  • Sugar and sweetener packets
  • Stir sticks
  • Utensils
  • Napkins
  • Cardboard cup carriers
  • To-go boxes
  • Branded store bags
Multiple plates are stacked on a wooden shelf

Storage equipment

  • Shelving for dry ingredients
  • Storage racks for cookware
  • Shelving for dinnerware and cups
  • Racks for sheet pans
  • Food storage containers
  • Drying racks
  • Dunnage racks
A variety of cleaning solutions and cleaning tools are arranged on a table

Cleaning supplies

  • Trash cans
  • Recycling bins
  • Cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, including scale remover
  • Microfiber cloths and cleaning rags
  • Brooms and dustpans
  • Mops and mop buckets
  • Wet floor signs
  • Scrubbers and sponges
  • Three-compartment sinks
  • Restroom supplies, including paper and hygiene products, urinal cakes, soap, and cleaning solutions

 

What other supplies and equipment will my coffee shop need?

Take some time to build your supply list. A great way to do this is to work through your menu items and keep a running list of the tools that would help your team work more effectively.

Where can I find the tools and equipment I need?

There are lots of great retailers that sell coffee equipment and supplies. You can run a quick Google search to find some located near you, or you can check out these popular online stores:

 

 

You can also find used equipment for your coffee shop on sites like Burkett, The Restaurant Warehouse, and ATX Restaurant Equipment or through local distributors.

What’s next?

Looking for some more easy-to-follow strategies? Check out our guide to opening a coffee shop.
Then, log into your owner’s portal for guides on how to get the business side of your operation running smoothly.

Want to take on other tasks?

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