As with any trend, coffee consumption evolves over time along with popular movements and lifestyle habits.
For example, the lockdown restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic saw at-home coffee brewing rise in popularity, as did the sale of takeaway coffee offerings.
Since then, more people have realised the benefits of working from home, increasing the demand for food and beverage delivery services.
Having takeaway coffee delivered to the consumer’s office or home has become a staple offering for several brands. Often, it can be one of the most effective revenue streams for a coffee business.
Read on to learn how your business can benefit from offering a takeaway coffee delivery service.
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Sign upThe evolution of coffee consumption
The Covid-19 pandemic transformed coffee consumption habits across the globe.
With social restrictions, consumers were left to brew their favourite beverages at home or rely on takeaway orders.
As a result, roasters and coffee shops had to adapt quickly and develop ways to engage with customers while continuing to offer a superior product.
Takeaway order and delivery apps soared in popularity during the pandemic as several restaurants, coffee shops, and roasters fought to continue earning a profit.
One of the main reasons coffee delivery apps became so popular is the level of customisation involved.
For example, a 2020 study revealed the popularity of oat milk soared due to a demand for dairy-free milk alternatives.
Iced coffee is another customisation that gained in popularity, with 1 in 5 global orders being an iced alternative.
Another study found the majority of US-based consumers ordered a flavoured coffee beverage. More so, the study revealed 32% ordered coffee up to 3 days a week, showing the continued demand for delivery services.
The rise of takeaway coffee apps
Order and delivery apps for coffee companies have increased in popularity and use by 30%.
They provide much-needed convenience for consumers on the go. Order and delivery apps allow consumers to order their beverage ahead of time and arrive promptly when it is ready to be picked up.
Additionally, they allow consumers to have their coffee delivered to the door if they are unable to visit the cafe themselves.
Takeaway coffee apps work similarly to other food apps, such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo.
Customers choose the store they want to order from, scroll through the menu and choose the takeaway coffee they would like.
They can make adjustments, such as choosing milk preferences and other customisations including flavoured syrups.
Customers are able to pay online, enter the delivery address, and receive updates on when the coffee will be delivered.
Starbucks, for example, has its own app to deliver coffee but also delivers through third parties such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat.
The Starbucks takeaway coffee app has boosted its loyalty scheme with customers by 67% and the brand has seen a 48% rise in customer engagement.
Caffe Nero and Costa Coffee also have their own Click and Collect apps. Krispy Kreme, although predominantly a doughnut store, also offers coffee on its delivery app.
Ensuring takeaway coffee cups are suited for delivery
To cater to a delivery app, coffee businesses will need to consider what takeaway cups to use so the beverage arrives at customers in as good a condition as when it was brewed.
Factors to consider include cup materials and accessories such as lids, straws, and cup sleeves.
Studies have found that consumers are more inclined to order takeaway coffee from companies that use environmentally friendly materials for their cups.
The materials include kraft paper, rice paper, bamboo pulp, and paper cups lined with environmentally friendly polylactic acid (PLA).
It is equally important for the company to invest in a material that is durable, leak-proof, and able to remain upright during transport.
Another important consideration is cup lids, as every takeaway beverage will require one. It is vital cup lids fit correctly to prevent spills and leaks whilst in transit.
Popular takeaway cup lid structures include flat lids, lock-back sippers, and pucker lids.
Unlike the majority of takeaway cup lids, a flat lid contains no drinking hole. While primarily usually used on espressos, these lids can be used for larger coffee orders as well.
Flat lids are effective at retaining temperature during transit and are an economical choice for businesses with high volumes of takeaway orders.
Pucker lids allow consumers to drink from a raised mouthpiece. The raised mouthpiece guides the liquid into the consumer’s mouth when sipping, but can be prone to spills and dribbles.
Lock-back sipper lids integrate radial score lines and a clearly defined and perforated tear tab so customers can remove the relevant section without damaging any other part of the lid.
This peeled-back tab remains on the cup and can be locked in position, giving the customer unfettered access to the mouth hole.
These lids are easy to operate with one hand and, as they can be closed, are able to keep coffee hotter for longer so customers can sip it more slowly. It also means that they can temporarily lock it in place when in motion to prevent spills.
It is likely your choice of takeaway coffee cup lid – and any other takeaway material – will be determined by your customers and budget.
MTPak Coffee offers roasters and coffee shops a range of SensoryLids, which are specifically designed so customers can enjoy the full aroma of your takeaway coffee without spillages.
Our SensoryLid was designed with the help of cupping experts and barista champions and allows consumers to continue receiving the coffee’s aroma thanks to an innovative sensory hole.
Additionally, our range of sustainable takeaway coffee cups is made from recyclable materials such as bamboo fibre, PET, or kraft paper with an environmentally friendly PLA lining and are available in different sizes: 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, 12 oz, and 24 oz.
Our takeaway coffee cups are strong, waterproof, lightweight, and 100% compostable, and can be custom-designed using innovative digital printing technology to feature your brand logo or recycling instructions.
We also offer a range of low minimum order quantity (MOQ) options. This means you can order as few as 500 fully customised units in just five working days.
