Coffee talk: What lodging operators need to know from their GPO

Insights on enhancing your coffee program with the help of Entegra

Coffee continues to be a critical part of every hotel operation as reflected in a recent Technomic lodging study¹:

• 95% of lodging operators have always offered complimentary dedicated breakfast areas 
• 54% offer a combination of paid and complimentary breakfast 
• 86% of lodging operators have always offered in-room coffee/tea

In this article, we delve into various coffees that will enhance your guests’ experience.

Understanding coffee categories

Whether your hotel is using a coffee brand front and center or offers “back of house” unbranded coffee (more on that later)—or a combo of both—it all starts with an understanding of hot beverage categories overall:

• Value/commodity coffee
• National brands
• Specialty
• Single serve
• Local/boutique brands
• Tea/cocoa

The Entegra Culinary Consulting team can help lodging operators use coffee as an ancillary money-making opportunity. Consider:

      ✓ Offering specialty iced teas and coffees in a co-branded reusable cup to keep guests on premise.
      ✓ Setting up an espresso shot bar in your lobby for premium pick-me-ups that on-the-go guests love.
      ✓ Pairing coffee drinks with branded Grab n’ Go options for all dayparts.

Entegra purchasing data shows that non-alcoholic beverage sales have increased 30% in the past year, and establishments with robust non-alcoholic menus see a 20% increase in overall beverage sales. Entegra can help expand your coffee program to drive more profits in line with these consumer trends.

Front-of-the-house retail coffee

High-quality coffee helps support your brand identity.

Here’s just a few of the brand-name coffees that Entegra hotel operators regularly tap to elevate their brand include:

Premium

• La Colombe – Super-premium coffee with a branded, retail presence; Direct Store Delivery
• Lavazza – Flavia coffee; single cup cartridge dispenser; Direct Store Delivery

Local/boutique

• Stumptown – Retail markets and specialty locations; Direct Store Delivery

Sustainability-forward

• Royal Cup – Jazzman’s; Rainforest Alliance coffee; Direct Store Delivery

Sustainably focused “back-of-house” coffee

Entegra is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility and helping our clients meet their sustainability goals.

This ethos synchs with Westrock Coffee, just one of several high-quality, unbranded "back-of-the-house” coffees Entegra offers clients.

Westrock Coffee is committed to reducing carbon emissions and supporting traceability to regional farmers, focusing on positive outcomes for individuals, communities and the environment. And yes, in addition to providing value for both hotels and guests, its flavor and full body sets it apart.

Many of the coffee suppliers that Entegra works with also provide brewing equipment, including Seattle’s Best.

Elevate your beverage program

Ready to get creative with beverages to set your hotel brand apart?

Tap into the growing trend of non-alcoholic beverages, explore any of the coffee options noted here, or simply brainstorm how to revamp your beverage program, Entegra can help. Contact us today!

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References:

Technomic Lodging Multi-Unit Study, 2024. Technomic is a provider of insights into consumer, industry and menu trends in the U.S., Canada and 23 countries around the world.