A new survey reveals that the best way to encourage employees to work from the office rather than from home is to offer free beverages.

Although the survey was conducted OnePoll on behalf of multi-beverage system manufacturer Flavia, which provides machines to many offices, it does yield some interesting and valuable results for businesses. For example, the average person spends nearly 50 hours a year purchasing beverages at a café during the workday.

According to the 2023 survey of 2,000-plus employees who work onsite or in an office, it takes about 16 minutes to leave one’s desk, buy a drink and return, but with three such trips a week, employees end up losing an entire work week per year (16.4 minutes per café visit x 3.42 visits to the café per week = 56.088 minutes a week, x 52 weeks in a year = 2,916.576 minutes or 48.61 hours a year). This can impact productivity considerably, whether the company is large, medium or small-sized (in terms of the number of employees.

The survey found that to jumpstart their workday, people usually get organised (60%), sip their favourite beverage (59%) and check their emails (55%). Their first drink of the day? A hot cup of coffee (66%), followed by iced coffee (47%), water (45%), or tea (42%).

The survey also shows that there may be a link between drink preference and productivity. Approximately 77% of coffee drinkers need two or more cups of coffee to feel productive on a workday, with nearly a quarter (24%) noting Mondays were the day of the week they needed the most coffee.

Six in 10 (60%) turn to a hot cup of coffee to improve their mood at work, as well. Nearly two-thirds (64%) “always” or “often” vary the type of drink they consume as the hours go by. Aside from hot coffee (77%), employees also drink water (70%), iced coffee (64%), tea (62%), juice (55%) and flavoured water (51%) while they work, among other beverages.

“Over a third (37%) of those surveyed would like the ability to brew hot and cold beverages and more than a quarter (26%) want to be able to brew different kinds of beverages at work,” said Camille Vareille, vice president, head of marketing Americas, Lavazza Group, which owns Flavia, in a statement.

The survey revealed that nearly 87% of respondents were going into the office between two to three days a week. “Over eight in 10 employees said having free beverages as a workplace perk would make them feel valued, and offering free beverages was the most requested perk to encourage employees to work from an office,” Vareielle added. “Investing in an array of beverages on-site can not only save employees time and money but also help with bringing them back into the office.”

According to the survey, the leading “perks” to encourage employees to work from their onsite office are:

• Free beverages — 46%
• Required breaks — 45%
• Free food — 45%
• On-site gym — 43%
• Office lounge/social area — 42%
• Ability to bring pets to work — 36%
• Ability to bring kid to work — 29%
• On-site games — 22%
• In-person employee clubs — 14%

The fact that the survey may seem a bit self-serving and was conducted only in the United States, doesn’t negate the information or the value to businesses globally (replace ‘coffee break’ with ‘smoke break’, which happens multiple times per day, every day – based on a five-day work week – and the impact to productivity is even greater). And looking at the list of perks noted by the poll participants, installing a multi-beverage system (formerly ‘office coffee system’) may be the most cost-effective option (it’s certainly less than building a gym!).

• Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
  Keep in touch via email: vanessa@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

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The newest training center, which was classified as an SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) Premier Training Campus on 19 May, houses Lavazza’s premiere coffee making equipment. These state-of-the-art coffee equipment and tools are helping to inform the future of coffee making and support new and emerging trends in the space. Led by director of training, Frank LaRusso, the location will serve to educate Lavazza staff, baristas, sales representatives, restaurant and hotel partners, and office coffee and away from home distributors on the art of using Lavazza products. This center will also serve as a hub and gathering space for the coffee industry in Chicago. Lavazza’s trainers are qualified to the highest level of certification within the industry, as SCA Authorized Specialty Coffee Trainers (AST), and will be onsite to train and certify others with the wide range of equipment available to them at this facility.   

“We are so excited to be opening a new training facility and further the expansion of our brand and its experts. We look forward to continuing our dedication to training and leading within the industry through our master classes and shared passion for all things coffee,” said LaRusso.  

The center will also offer master classes for those looking to accelerate their coffee business. With both “Barista Training” and “Coffee Menu Management,” participants will receive hands-on training and professional tips. Led by some of the brand’s expert trainers, these classes will teach the art of various brewing methods and management of coffee menus as a way to increase appeal and profitability.    

“With the opening of our new Chicago training center, we are showing our dedication to perfecting coffee and commitment to training professionals who can deliver the Lavazza experience we are globally renowned for worldwide,” shared Camille Vareille, VP – head of marketing Americas at Lavazza Group. “We hope that our new training facility serves the community of Chicago and fosters an environment for creativity, learning and a shared passion for coffee.”  

To celebrate the training center opening, the brand hosted master classes, taught by expert baristas, and a grand opening happy hour. For the happy hour, Lavazza paired espresso martinis and specialty drinks with assorted appetisers and desserts from James Beard’s restaurant, The Purple Pig. Guests were able to try the latest on-trend drink recipes, cocktails and latte art alongside gourmet appetizer and dessert pairings. Lavazza’s expert trainers were available to answer any coffee-related questions and offer tours of the new state-of-the-art facility.   

For more information about the Lavazza brand and training centers, please visit lavazzausa.com.  

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“Princess guests love their coffee as the morning ritual at the International Café in the legendary Princess Piazza. With a relentless focus on what’s important to our guests, we are upgrading the experience and magnifying our Italian heritage with Lavazza,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “Our Lavazza partnership gives our guests yet another thing to love about a Princess vacation.”

Lavazza offerings will begin rolling out on Princess ships throughout the spring and guests can expect to enjoy the brand’s array of hot coffee options and convenient Ready-to-Drink cans. The relationship will extend beyond offering Lavazza products and services on board to include unique coffee-inspired dinners and recipes collectively designed by Lavazza experts and Princess executive chefs, educational sessions, tastings, food pairings and samplings. The two brands will also collaborate on upcoming marketing campaigns, promotions and exclusive events.

“We have been inspired by the way Princess Cruises creates memorable experiences for their guests and feel a strong synergy between both brands in our commitment to quality, innovation and entertainment,” shared Camille Vareille, vice president – head of marketing Americas at Lavazza Group. “We are excited to come onboard to offer an elevated coffee programme and showcase our premium products to a broader, international audience.”

For more information on Lavazza, please visit lavazzausa.com.

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The Paris Baguette and Lavazza partnership highlights the organisations’ shared passions for supporting and making a positive impact on local communities. Through Lavazza’s sustainability initiatives and Paris Baguette’s commitment to giving back, both companies hope to make a real and lasting difference in the communities they serve. Paris Baguette will be serving a selection of Rainforest Alliance-certified coffees, including Lavazza’s specialty “La Reserva de ¡Tierra! Selection,” a premium blend of high-grade natural and washed Arabica from Central and South America. A balance between notes of jasmine flowers, almonds and milk chocolate, a medium body and a delicate taste. La Reserva de ¡Tierra! Selection features coffee sourced from communities supported by the Lavazza Foundation, with social responsibility projects aimed at developing living conditions and economic growth while respecting the environment.

All Paris Baguette specialty coffee beverages will be made with Lavazza’s coffee blends and cafés will serve the brand’s popular ready-to-drink cans of refreshing cold brew that are organic and Rainforest Alliance certified. The ready-to-drink cans are available in four flavour profiles that offer both dairy and non-dairy options. The flavours include: Classic Cold Brew, Nitro Cold Brew, Cappuccino Cold Brew with Milk, and Double Shot Cold Brew with Oat Milk.

“Paris Baguette is proud to partner with Lavazza, which shares a commitment to using quality ingredients, sustainable practices and a passion for spreading joy,” said Pete Bell, chief marketing officer at Pete Bell. “We’re looking forward to working with Lavazza to deliver exceptional service to our customers while taking care of our neighbors, our planet and our future.”

The partnership also provides Lavazza customers with easier access to their favorite coffee drinks, which they can now get at any Paris Baguette location. Lavazza has crafted a custom coffee program for Paris Baguette to ensure beverages will continue to be the high quality that coffee enthusiasts are accustomed to. The programme includes co-branded coffee cups, brewing equipment, and other in-café materials, plus extensive staff training on authentic Italian brewing practices. Consumers can expect exciting activations in stores throughout the year tied to upcoming coffee holidays and moments.

“We are excited to expand our footprint in the United States through this new partnership with Paris Baguette and introduce our line of products to their loyal customer base,” shared Camille Vareille, VP – head of marketing Americas at Lavazza Group. “As a value-driven brand, we believe Paris Baguette perfectly complements our mission to create quality products while also providing real, lasting impacts within our communities.”

Learn more at ParisBaguette.com or www.lavazzausa.com.

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