FRANKE Q&A Brewing the future:
how premiumisation, automation and data are redefining the sector
I
n this Q&A, Stephen Mills, national account manager at Franke Coffee Systems UK&I, explores how consumer
expectations of vended hot beverages are changing, the role of automation in delivering consistent barista-standard beverages, and how data-driven insights can unlock smarter menus and stronger ROI. He also looks ahead to what’s next for the sector moving into 2026...
1. Is convenience still the main factor in ensuring beverage success in vending settings? Ordering a hot beverage in a vending setting, whether an airport lounge or train station, has long been associated with convenience – in the sense that consumers can enjoy a quick pick-me-up while on the go. While the element of convenience still very much dictates how many vending operators approach their beverage programmes, the rise of quick-serve cafes and coffee shops means that convenience alone is no longer enough to stand out. Consumers now expect premium, barista-quality beverages wherever they order, with customisable options to accommodate every dietary requirement and preference.
2. What kind of premiumisation and customisable drinks are consumers looking for? With more UK consumers drinking hot beverages, there’s now much more of an expectation around quality – and not just for barista- created drinks, but those served from an automatic coffee machine, too. One minute, you could have a customer ordering a flat white and cappuccino with dairy milk, and the next, an oat milk decaf latte with vanilla syrup. For vending operators to stay competitive, it’s all about tuning into wider beverage trends and making sure their menu caters to everyone. This can look like offering multiple blends on the menu, alongside decaf and non-coffee drinks such as hot chocolate and matcha, as well as alternative milk and syrups.
3. What role does automation play in ensuring beverage consistency and quality? In busy vending environments, automation is a fantastic solution to ensuring high-volume, high-quality beverages. For many vending operators with a presence across multiple sites, ensuring a positive
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brand reputation is key to retaining current business and opening new opportunities. By relying on automatic coffee machines, vending operators don’t need to worry about beverage quality or wait times varying between sites, as each machine is calibrated to a uniform standard. Also, automatic coffee machine innovation is constantly evolving, meaning the technology found in modern-day equipment is designed to match (and even exceed) the consistency and quality you might find at a café or coffee shop.
4. How can vending operators leverage data to improve their hot beverage offerings? Alongside data from their own internal management systems, vending operators can access a wealth of information from services supplied by their automatic coffee machine provider. Using Franke as an example, we offer vending partners access to Franke Digital Services (IoT), which essentially is a digital dashboard they can log into at any time to monitor their entire coffee machine fleet in real-time. By giving insight into what really matters – such as popular drinks, busiest times of day, and cleaning and maintenance – vending operators can easily see which aspects of their beverage offering are performing well, alongside areas of improvement. Menu adjustments can be carried out via the software, too, meaning the data doesn’t just improve performance visibility but can lead to direct ROI improvements.
5. How do automatic coffee machines support vending operators with cost-saving? Modern automatic coffee machines have cost-saving measures incorporated into their design, focusing on efficiency without impacting the final taste or customer satisfaction. For instance, each Franke coffee machine is calibrated precisely to the vending operator’s beverage menu – gram throw, milk measurements, and the number of syrup pumps – to avoid ingredient waste. And, when it comes to daily maintenance, our integrated cleaning technology uses the exact cleaning agent dosage required. Not only does this reduce unnecessary spending on inventory, but it also helps keep the coffee machine in top condition (leading to fewer costly breakdowns).
6. What’s on the horizon for hot beverages in 2026? It’s hard to say exactly, as the vending space evolves so quickly. But I’d say even higher demand for barista-quality drinks and customisation options from the consumer point of view – alongside new, exciting innovation and automation from coffee machine providers like Franke!
Learn more about Franke’s automatic coffee machines at
uk.franke.coffee
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