Why Automation is the Future of Coffee Retail

The narrative around automation in food service often focuses on job displacement. But the reality is more nuanced—and more urgent.

The Labor Crisis

Traditional coffee shops face three compounding challenges:

1. **Rising labor costs** - Minimum wage increases and benefits requirements are squeezing margins 2. **Staff turnover** - Average barista tenure is under 12 months, creating constant training costs 3. **Inconsistency** - Quality varies by shift, barista experience, and time of day

These aren't problems automation created—they're problems automation can solve.

The Espretto Approach

Our robotic kiosks don't eliminate jobs; they eliminate inefficiency. Here's what changes:

Consistency - Every cup is extracted at exactly 9 bar pressure, 93°C, for 25-30 seconds. No variation.

Availability - 24/7 operation without overtime costs, sick days, or scheduling conflicts.

Scalability - One technician can maintain 20+ kiosks, creating higher-skilled, better-paid roles.

The Business Case

For venue partners, the economics are compelling:

- **Zero labor costs** for coffee service - **99.7% uptime** vs. 70-80% for staffed cafés - **40% higher margins** compared to traditional models - **Revenue share** with no capital investment required

What About Baristas?

We're not anti-barista—we're pro-sustainability. The craft of coffee making will always have a place in specialty cafés and third-wave roasters. But for high-volume, time-sensitive environments (universities, transport hubs, offices), automation is the only viable path forward.

The Future

By 2030, we predict 30% of coffee retail will be automated. The question isn't whether this transition will happen—it's whether companies will lead it or resist it.

Espretto is choosing to lead.