Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

[CoffeeSponge]

Hello all~


My name is JC, Im an American who is living in SE Asia at the moment. I plan to be heavily active over the next few weeks and will be responding to messages as quickly as possible.

Ive selected the username "CoffeeSponge" because I would like to soak up as much information as possible, as quickly as possible.

I have been put in the unique position of starting up a high-end, quality driven coffee store. My partner, who recently acquired a coffee franchise, is impressed by Espressamente Illy and their concepts.

As I am a newbie to the forum, I would appreciate any forum specific hints (where to post questions for a big start up), or threads to look at, in order to get the ball rolling.

My immediate concern is all equipment based. I need to get leads on machinery, including a commercial espresso machine, coffee makers, blenders, everything. When you Google terms such as "Top 10 Commercial Espresso Machines" it takes you in a million directions, and as of now Ive yet to nail anything down.

Quality products and good operators are a must, but I need help picking out the electronics.

Money is not an issue - I would like the best of the best. If you could buy any equipment for a gourmet coffee (franchise), what equipment would you splurge for and why?

Any information from like minded individuals and experts in the field would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much, see you around!

JC

[blanyon]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

Where are you starting up? Location ie town is important to the answer.

Brett

[LaughingAtFate]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

Synesso, Slayer, La Marzocca, Kees van der Westen, all names that are known as being some of the bleeding edge of Espresso Machine Manufacturing, Either that, or they produce some of the most stylish and out there machines on the market. (if money is no object, Id probably go for the LM Mistral, cos it is one sexy mother of a machine, Or perhaps a KvdW Mirage) Of course, these machines are probably in the upper ranges of the price scale, say $20,000+.

However, at the level you seem to be looking at, it mostly seems to be down to the look of the machine, rather then the actual performance. As its going to take a pretty full-on Barista to get the best out of any of these machines enough for the most punters to tell the difference.

Bear in mind, Im not an expert, or a owner of any of these machines, Ive played with commercial units, but nothing so fancy as the beasts I mentioned.

[Thundergod]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

My partner, who recently acquired a coffee franchise

Im confused.
When acquiring a franchise all your equipment concerns (at least what and where to source them from) are usually a part of the deal.
What detail am I missing? :-?

[sidewayss]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

Welcome to the forum Coffeesponge,

You just gave me an idea for a new cake recipe ;D

I was thinking along the same lines as Thundergod.
If your partner has indeed a franchise, then either he/she should know some facts and contacts.

The least amount of effort and time used method would be to send a single enquiry to all the sponsors. You can see the "To email a query to all our sponsors at once: " on your left side of this page.

These sponsors may be able to help you as well as provide links to technicalities of electronics together with other details.

State what you have posted plus the location, any other relevant details..

Good management and operators are certainly a must, and have to be trained up on new machinery, products and product knowledge as well as the everyday running of the whole show.

All the best in your enquiry, and do keep us informed of your progress so that some of us aspiring coffee enthusiasts can learn from it.

Gary at G

[coolie21]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

Hello all~


  I plan to be heavily active over the next few weeks and will be responding to messages as quickly as possible. 

Mmm. Wonder what happened there  :-/

[patric]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

I would assume after posting he was informed he wasnt able to purchase anything but the franchises chosen equipment.  There is room to move in franchises but I dont think an espresso machine is within the area of movement.

[Fresh_Coffee]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

OR....if you have a naturally suspicious nature, read between the lines, and add 2 + 2 and get 5, you might conclude it was a bogus topic all along....that was my interpretation from reading the very first line, and is why I never wasted any time on a reply. Havent seen anything since that might lead to a change in that opinion.

[Barry_Duncan]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

you might conclude it was a bogus topic all along

Yes, it is strange that neither Sponge nor J C [Jesus Christ], have responded to the 7 posts here.

Barry

[bluecoin]

Re: Equipment needed for new high end gourmet coffee shop

hm.........

try to see La Marzocco Strada

cheers.....