Although paper coffee cups are primarily associated with cafes and bakeries that offer hot beverages to go, these are not the only businesses that purchase bulk coffee cups. In fact, even some individuals purchase large quantities of paper coffee cups. That’s because they are a suitable solution for picnics, garden grill parties, and other events. Although plastic and paper coffee cups are among the major polluters worldwide, their sales haven’t decreased. However, the market has shifted significantly towards more sustainable options. Some of the most popular products in the niche market for coffee cups are PLA-coated cups and edible ones. In this post, we’ll share more about the trends in bulk coffee cups, what businesses purchase them in large quantities, and where to buy them at wholesale prices. If you’re interested in this sector, check out our posts on seasonal coffee drinks and the different types of cafes.
Key takeaway: Sales of bulk coffee cups have increased in recent years. However, the industry has shifted towards biodegradable or reusable alternatives. Cafes, restaurants, gas stations, offices, and institutions are among the main types of businesses that purchase coffee cups in bulk.
What Businesses Buy Bulk Coffee Cups
There are multiple types of businesses that use disposable cups in different sizes. Let’s examine some of them.
- Cafes are the most common customers of bulk coffee cup sellers. They often purchase them in large quantities. Furthermore, cafes purchase cups in different sizes to fit the various types of espresso drinks.
- Restaurants, especially the ones in the fast-food industry, also purchase bulk coffee cups. Disposable cups for soda and other beverages are also purchased by fast-food restaurants.
- Bakeries often sell specialty coffee and other drinks alongside their pastries.
- Gas stations sell coffee to drivers and passengers. Thus, they often purchase large quantities of disposable cups.
- Corporate buildings and offices buy bulk coffee cups for their cafeterias and break rooms.
- Mobile food vendors like food trucks or food stands also serve beverages in disposable cups. They purchase different types of cups for both hot and cold beverages.
- Institutions like universities or healthcare facilities also need large quantities of cups. They are used not only in institutions’ cafeterias but also to give beverages and pills to patients.
- Catering businesses also use large quantities of disposable cups. They are used for outdoor and corporate events.
Trends in Bulk Coffee Cups
Sustainability is the biggest trend in the industry. Both buyers and sellers switch to eco-friendly alternatives to regular coffee cups. Biodegradable cups are the most popular category of bulk coffee cups. However, a lot of cafes and other businesses also purchase compostable cups or have reusable programs. In recent years, innovations such as plantable coffee cups with seeds have also become very popular.
Customization is also a widespread trend among buyers of bulk coffee cups. Understandably, businesses want the coffee cups they purchase to be branded. Seasonal designs are also popular when purchasing large quantities of coffee cups before holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Innovations in materials and design are also trendy. These innovations include products like edible cups or items with NFC chips or QR codes. This makes them an interactive alternative to regular cups.
Businesses that buy and sell bulk coffee cups should keep in mind that there’s an increase in regulations regarding disposable products across the world. Both local governments and countries have introduced bans on plastic or non-recyclable single-use items. It’s recommended that companies switch to biodegradable or reusable products instead of waiting for bans and regulations to be introduced. Compostable items can also be used as part of a company’s marketing strategy and help the business establish itself in the community.
Where to Buy Wholesale Coffee Cups
Businesses that search for bulk coffee cups have a couple of options where to purchase them. Most coffee shops and other companies prefer to partner with distributors of wholesale restaurant supplies. These suppliers can offer a wide variety of disposable items like napkins or other tableware. In recent years, broadline distributors have increased their catalogs to include disposable supplies as well. The main benefit of partnering with broadliners is that they sell products in various categories. Furthermore, they have various technological integrations, including eCommerce catalogs.
Marketplaces and ordering platforms for wholesale sales are also great places to order bulk coffee cups. BlueCart is a great example of such a platform. BlueCart’s marketplace allows sellers to find new B2B customers. Buyers can also use wholesale ordering platforms as a way to compare prices and products offered by vendors. When opening a coffee shop, managers can use a platform like BlueCart in order to find distributors in different fields.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bulk Coffee Cups
If you wish to know the latest restaurant industry trends or how to increase cafe sales, there are plenty of useful resources on BlueCart and BinWise. Below we’ve shared the answers to commonly asked questions regarding sales of bulk coffee cups.
What Are the Alternatives to Paper Coffee Cups?
Although paper cups are the most popular option in coffee shops, there are multiple alternatives to them. Ceramic mugs are probably the most common ones. However, they are not a suitable option for to-go orders. In recent years, compostable coffee cups have become a widely used option. Edible cups are also enjoyed by many. They give cafe customers the chance to enjoy their coffee and then have a small coffee-flavored snack. Most edible cups are made from biscuit or cookie dough. Therefore, they’re only suitable for people who drink their coffee fast. Some establishments have also introduced returnable cup programs.
What Are the Different Types of Paper Coffee Cups?
Sellers of bulk coffee cups offer multiple varieties. Disposable cups may vary in size, material used, and design. For example, single-wall paper cups are cheap and lightweight. However, they are not a very good option for hot drinks as they have poor insulation. Double-wall coffee cups are excellent for tea, coffee, and other hot beverages. PLA-coated and PE-coated paper cups are also common varieties. The former is a compostable option while the latter is the least sustainable alternative due to being non-biodegradable. Most coffee shops or other businesses that buy bulk coffee cups expect distributors and manufacturers to offer them customization options.
What Other Disposable Products Do Coffee Shops Order?
In addition to buying bulk coffee cups, cafes use various other disposable items that they purchase from distributors of restaurant supplies or other wholesalers. From straws and napkins to plates and cutlery, coffee shops purchase a wide range of disposable goods. Some cafes prefer to partner with broadline distributors that also sell tableware, equipment, tools, and even wholesale pastries for coffee shops. Others wish to find suppliers that specialize in their respective fields.
BlueCart: The Marketplace for Bulk Coffee Cups, Coffee Shop Pastries, and Other Wholesale Items
Whether you wish to sell wholesale products to thousands of businesses or buy bulk goods from a wide range of suppliers, BlueCart is the B2B marketplace for you. Our platform is a wholesale ordering software solution that helps suppliers and their customers automate various tasks. Furthermore, it also helps distributors increase their B2B sales and buyers find the right supplier for their needs. Schedule a free demo today and see why BlueCart is the all-in-one ordering platform for wholesalers and their buyers.