Commercial Beverage Equipment and Supplies | How-to Guides for running your business from Work.com

The beverage operation is an integral part of any restaurant, convenience store and other food-based business. Beverage supplies include high-end items such as glycol systems for beer and ordinary everyday items, like paper coffee cups.

Most businesses need some kind of commercial beverage equipment. Fountain drink machines, soda dispensers and industrial coffee makers are just a few of beverage equipment that businesses and institutions use every day.

There are three main areas of commercial beverage equipment, including:

Hot beverage supplies
Carbonated beverage supplies
Alcoholic beverage supplies

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take advantage of the coffee trend with hot beverage equipment

Coffee is the most popular drink in the world. It is available in restaurants, convenience stores, and even hospitals. Today, along with traditional coffee makers, many companies offer specialty coffee machines for espresso and cappuccino. Along with gourmet coffee, exotic teas are another aspect of the hot beverage market that continues to rapidly grow.

I recommend: Keep coffee hot with air pots from Zesco.com, which carries a complete line of coffee accessories, including mugs, beverage signs and paper goods. Don't forget the tea accessories. BeverageFactory.com sells teapots, teacups and tea racks. They also carry espresso and coffee makers. CupDepot.com and the Hormel Corporation both carry an extensive line of commercial beverage equipment and supplies.

Upsell soda, juice and frozen drinks with fountain drink machines

Fountain drink machines are the perfect way to distribute non-alcoholic beverages. Widely used in fast food restaurants, convenience stores and institutions, fountain drink machines keep beverages chilled and ready to serve. Frozen fountain drink machines can serve up classic drinks, such as slush puppies or more exotic drinks, like grantia and margaritas.

I recommend: Kanawati Enterprises is a leader in fountain drink machines. Along with frozen drinks, they offer machines for coffee, espresso and soda. The Restaurant Source carries industrial blenders and ice makers.

Don't forget the beer

Nothing tastes worse than warm, foamy beer, which can be avoided with the proper glycol system. Glycol keeps beer cold and fresh and customers happy. Along with a glycol system, other beverage equipment a restaurant bar needs includes hydraulic guns for soft drinks and beer towers for pouring pints.

I recommend: Berg Beer Systems carries complete beer tap systems, guaranteed to keep liquids at a consistent temperature, which is vital for fresh-tasting beer. Wunder Bar is another vendor of beverage equipment, including beer systems and wine dispensers.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Don't buy a coffee maker when purchasing commercial beverage equipment! Restaurants and other food businesses can get coffee makers for free or on long-term leases (also free) from whomever they purchase their coffee through. Air pots (also called hot pots) are another freebie that coffee distributors hand out, as part of their customer service.

The official source of Commercial Beverage Equipment and Supplies is
the Commercial Beverage Equipment and Supplies page at Business.com

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Guide to Commercial Beverage Equipment and Supplies

Getting the right equipment for your beverages

Take advantage of the coffee trend with hot beverage equipment

Upsell soda, juice and frozen drinks with fountain drink machines

Don't forget the beer