We’ve seen a large shift in the way people approach their everyday lives due to the pandemic, coffee habits included. At the beginning of the pandemic, countless foodservice businesses had to close their doors, forcing consumers to get creative as they could no longer visit their favorite restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops. Many consumers invested in their home kitchens, buying new appliances including fancy coffee machines to make their favorite coffee drinks at home.
Now that things are getting back to normal and we are transitioning back to a new post-pandemic lifestyle, it is important for your foodservice business to create new opportunities to capture the interest of these “at-home baristas” and regain their business. Below are 4 innovative ways you can attract the at-home barista to your business.
1. Offer Specialty Items
Many coffee enthusiasts and at-home baristas are looking for new food and beverage experiences including novel blends and interesting pairings. Some of these experiences are easy to find and are very accessible online and in-store; however, others are not as easy. This is where your foodservice business comes in.
Your business can offer products or specialty items that are unique to your business and are not regularly available to consumers. Unique specialties like global coffees sourced from different regions of the world will pique the interest of your current and potential consumers because it gives them a glimpse into other cultures and allows them to discover new tastes and flavor combinations.
Additionally, you can take this opportunity to develop special promotions around your specialty items by selling whole bean bags, blends, and specialty pairings in-store. This incentivizes the at-home barista to explore more of your products and get them more invested in your business.
2. Invest In High-Quality Equipment
Aside from the beans themselves, your equipment is one of the most important aspects of creating a delicious cup of coffee. Because the quality of your equipment can alter the taste and flavor of your coffee, investing in high-quality equipment will give you an advantage over homemade coffees. This is due to the fact that most at-home coffee equipment is small and lacking in features. Even the most high-quality at-home capsule machines will fall short compared to the professional coffee equipment found in restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops.
Although acquiring new equipment may be costly, it is worth it in the long run. A coffee solutions partner should be able to help match your foodservice business with equipment that best fits your budget and business goals.
Keep in mind that at-home baristas are not going to want to make drinks that are too complicated. With high-quality equipment, you will be able to create more complex and better-tasting coffees that will offer a competitive edge over the at-home coffee experience.
3. Create a Trendy Rotational Menu
To enhance your customers’ coffee experience, your business should think about creating an exciting rotational menu that incorporates the hottest trends, unique blends, and single origins. Aside from expanding your menu with new offerings, your business can also sync its menu with seasonal flavors and produce. Offerings and seasonal flavors that you rotate throughout the year can create a buzz around your business since they are limited-time offers. This will entice consumers to buy and order your products from your business while they can.
Along with a diverse range of specialty coffees and seasonal offerings, it is a good idea to offer an extensive selection of allied products, such as syrup and sauce customization options, to help enhance the overall coffee experience.
You want to make your business more memorable and by creating innovative menus and offerings, you can easily do so. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean that you have to reinvent the wheel and rewrite your entire menu. Don’t get rid of your classics or best sellers. The key is to properly incorporate in-season items and flavors within your business to continuously generate interest.
4. Build Your Online Presence
Being innovative with your online presence can help you keep your business top-of-mind, especially with at-home baristas. Because many at-home baristas get the latest coffee information online and on social media, it is a good idea to boost your business presence by being active and transparent in your communications and posts. Regularly posting and talking about your new products and offerings will keep consumers engaged and up-to-date on your business.
One easy way to capture attention is to provide simple and tasty recipes that use your coffee beans and products. This will drive them to look into your menu and products. Aside from uploading recipes, it is a good idea to provide consumers with tips, tricks, and new coffee ideas. Doing so will allow you to come across as a coffee expert in which at-home baristas will regularly look to your business for inspiration.
However, building your online presence doesn’t just mean regularly updating your blog. You can find opportunities within your brick-and-mortar business, as many consumers love to find “Instagram-worthy” food and beverages to share with their followers. This in turn will introduce your business to their followers and open up opportunities for building better brand awareness.
Key Takeaways
Innovation is key to attracting the at-home barista. Businesses that are able to implement an effective coffee program that incorporates new blends, specialty recipes, and innovative ideas will be able to grab the attention of this trending consumer market. Creating new strategies geared toward the at-home barista will not only allow your business to increase revenue, gain market share, and drive further growth but also enhance your customer’s coffee experience with your business.
Gaviña Coffee offers a variety of high-quality coffee and equipment solutions that are perfect for every business. We are dedicated to helping you surprise and delight your customers, boost sales and revenue, and foster customer loyalty. Contact us today to see how we can bring your business to the next level.
