Espresso Machines
I knew nothing about espresso machines when we opened our first coffee shop. The former tenant had left a Verismo 701, so we began operating with that machine. Within a year, we knew the local espresso machine repair guy well – because he had to come out often to perform maintenance or replace parts.
After about a year, we hired a barista to manage that location who encouraged us to consider a manual espresso machine instead of a super-automatic one.
We began by researching the common brands and visiting local coffee shops that used machines such as La Marzocco and Synesso. A friend told me about the Retro machine by Fracino. We loved the look and the design, but even more than that, I loved that I could work on the equipment myself to perform the simple maintenance each year.
We continue to use the Fracino machines in both of our coffee shops and have become one of their US distributors.
When looking for an espresso machine, you will want to buy a new unit.
Used or refurbished espresso machines can (and often do) cost you more time and money in the long run if (when) they break down or need constant expensive repairs. The espresso machine is the heart and soul of your coffee shop. This one piece of equipment creates the majority of your income, and so you want to invest in a dependable espresso machine that is made from quality parts.
Espresso machines come in single, double, or triple group heads. Some have steam wands on one side or both sides. Each choice affects the speed of making the drinks and how many staff you need.
When we planned our second coffee shop with a drive-through (typically about 40%-60% of your business), we chose to buy a pair of the two group head Fracino espresso machines so that we could have one focused on the drive-thru traffic and one on the inside traffic.
We encourage you to consider a Fracino espresso machine for your coffee shop or restaurant.
Fracino, started in 1963, enjoys a reputation for quality and reliability worldwide; their units are used in over 70 countries. They are reliable because they manufacture around 90% of their high-quality parts in Birmingham, England. These machines are not only beautiful but with proper maintenance are built to last 20+ years.
Fracino is also one of the only companies in the world to offer a propane-powered dual-fuel espresso machine designed for coffee carts, coffee trucks, food trucks, or other remote espresso service locations. They are absolutely fascinating to watch and use.
You can visit our sister company, Shiloh Coffee Supply, to see the types of espresso machines available to purchase for your coffee shop or mobile coffee cart or truck.
