Millions of people in America start their day with a cup of coffee. As such, coffee has become a staple drink in the US and other regions of the world. A lot of people choose the more affordable option to make their coffee at home. However, many coffee enthusiasts buy delicious coffee to-go from a cafe or a bakery. That is why the coffee shop industry is among the continuously growing niche markets. There are multiple different types of cafes but they all have one thing in common – they need reliable distributors of barista wholesale supplies. Thanks to these tools and disposable products, coffee shops can offer their services and increase their revenue (read more about how to increase cafe sales). In this post, we’ll share more about the importance of bulk barista or coffee shop supplies, what are the main types, and the trends in this sector. Check out our articles on how to start a coffee shop reusable cup program and the trends in seasonal coffee drinks.
Key takeaway: Distributors of barista wholesale supplies sell various goods such as plastic and paper cups, coffee brewing equipment, wholesale tableware, and ingredients used by coffee shops.
What Are Barista Supplies
The term is usually associated with products sold by coffee shop supply stores that are used primarily by baristas. That includes equipment (espresso machines and other brewing equipment), tools, and disposable goods such as bulk coffee cups. Most distributors that specialize in barista or restaurant supplies also offer various other goods such as bulk napkins, mugs, flavoring syrups, different tea varieties, and packaging options. Cafes and other businesses that serve coffee usually purchase wholesale coffee beans from coffee roasters that specialize in blending and roasting single-origin beans.
Main Categories of Barista Wholesale Supplies
Distributors of barista supplies offer a wide variety of goods. Let’s examine the main product categories sold by these suppliers.
- Disposable cups. Naturally, coffee cups, lids, and disposable cup sleeves are among the most purchased goods by cafes. They are stackable and don’t require a lot of space. Thus, coffee shops and other businesses buy them in large quantities in order to get better wholesale prices.
- Disposable tableware. Since most cafes also serve desserts and savory baked goods, they also need disposable plates and flatware.
- Coffee beans. Many distributors of barista wholesale supplies also partner with coffee roasters. That’s why they can offer various types of single-origin specialty coffee or blends made by experienced coffee roasters.
- Packaging. This includes bags, food take-out containers, cup carriers, and other packaging solutions needed to fulfill to-go or online orders.
- Barista equipment. A coffee shop needs various appliances to offer different types of coffee beverages. Coffee’s fourth and fifth waves have made innovative drinks like cold-brew coffee and nitro coffee popular. Baristas need not just commercial espresso machines, but also other pieces of coffee brewing equipment to prepare and offer these drinks.
- Condiments, flavoring syrups, and other ingredients. Sugar, honey, cinnamon, and other condiments are used to prepare and flavor coffee drinks. Many distributors of barista wholesale supplies also offer popular plant-based milk varieties.
- Miscellaneous products. This category includes various other goods that a coffee shop might need – condiment organizers, equipment cleaning solutions, display cases, baking equipment, and other common or less popular products.
Services Offered by Barista Wholesale Suppliers
Since most distributors of barista supplies also offer coffee brewing equipment, they often provide services related to the maintenance and repair of these appliances. Furthermore, as the coffee sector is rapidly changing and growing, many coffee roasters and other wholesalers also organize employee training and offer coffee program consultation services. Some distributors also provide coffee shop floor planning and design services.
Businesses That Buy Barista Wholesale Supplies
Although coffee shops are the main clients of distributors that specialize in barista supplies, other businesses also need such products. If you operate a distribution company that is focused on such products, here are the sectors where you can find potential customers.
- The restaurant industry. From small restaurants to mobile food service businesses like food trucks, these companies often offer coffee and might need to purchase barista wholesale supplies.
- Hotels and resorts. They need large quantities of coffee and barista supplies to serve their guests. These businesses often partner with broadline distributors who offer products in multiple categories. They commonly purchase wholesale reusable coffee cups to reduce costs and decrease the cost of goods sold.
- Catering businesses. Coffee is among the common beverages consumed at corporate events, weddings, and other special events.
- Corporate buildings and offices. There’s a common joke that programmers are people who turn coffee into code. Large offices and corporate buildings often partner with suppliers of wholesale barista products to stock their break rooms and cafeterias.
- Institutions. Schools, universities, hospitals, and other public or private institutions might also order products from distributors of coffee supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Barista Wholesale Supplies
Whether you wish to read about the restaurant industry trends or how to find sustainable suppliers for your coffee shop, you’ll find many valuable resources on BlueCart’s website. Below we’ve answered some common questions regarding wholesale barista supplies.
What Other Supplies Do Coffee Shops Need?
In addition to barista supplies and equipment, cafes need various other items in their day-to-day activities. That includes miscellaneous goods such as wholesale janitorial supplies and specialized tools like tablets, receipt printers, and other hardware. Thus, coffee shops need to find suppliers in various fields. A lot of cafes offer savory breakfast options, desserts, and other packaged food. They usually order wholesale pastries for coffee shops from commercial bakeries if they don’t have the capital or the space needed to buy baking equipment and supplies. Some cafes prefer to partner with broadliners who offer supplies in multiple categories.
How to Open a Coffee Shop?
If you’re interested in opening а coffee shop, the first step is to do proper market research and create a thorough cafe business plan. This will show you the market competitors and will help you acquire capital. Finding the right location is crucial for cafes. It should be a place that has a lot of pedestrian traffic and growth potential. The next step is to get all the necessary licenses and permits. During that time, make sure to start searching for distributors. Keep in mind that broadline distributors often have high minimum order quantities (MOQ) and might not be suitable for starting businesses.
What Equipment Do Baristas Use?
Naturally, espresso machines and other coffee brewing equipment are among the main machinery used by baristas. They are essential in making espresso drinks such as latte, cappuccino, and Americano. Modern coffee brewing equipment includes cold brew towers, Chemex coffeemakers, and other tools from the fourth and fifth coffee waves. Baristas also use thermometers, coffee grinders, milk frothers, and various other appliances. Some baristas are also trained in coffee roasting in order better to understand the characteristics of different types of coffee. Tools like tampers, scales, and milk frothing pitchers are also essential for baristas.
BlueCart: The Platform for All Barista Wholesale Supplies
Whether you operate a distribution business and wish to increase your B2B sales or you’re a business owner of a coffee shop, BlueCart is the tool for you. Our wholesale ordering software connects wholesalers in a variety of fields with bulk buyers. With BlueCart, suppliers can easily track sales, create eCommerce catalogs, and automate various tasks. Buyers also have multiple benefits from using BlueCart such as the chance to find new distributors and compare their products. Schedule a demo today and see why BlueCart is among the leading solutions in wholesale sales.