Let’s talk workplace coffee culture. Not just any coffee, but the kind that actually tastes good, comes with your milk alternative of choice, and doesn’t require a degree in microwave science to heat up.
Imagine walking into work and your coffee setup feels more like a hip café than a forgotten corner with a dusty drip machine. That’s the energy Gen Z has been bringing to workplace coffee culture, and businesses need to catch up.
Here’s how this generation is flipping the script on coffee in the workplace, and what companies can do to keep their caffeine game strong.
Gen Z grew up in a world of craft coffee shops, third-wave cafés, and viral TikToks about the perfect espresso shot. They know their beans, and they expect better than stale coffee that tastes like office carpet.
They want:
If your office is still running on freeze-dried instant coffee, it’s time for a serious upgrade. Quality isn’t just a perk anymore, it’s the baseline.
Gen Zer's are basically part-human, part-mobile devices. They’ve been tapping phones for everything from food to fashion since they were teens, and they expect the same convenience at work, there’s no exception when it comes to caffeine.
Here’s what they love:
No more digging for loose change or awkward keypad combos. If your coffee station doesn’t feel as smooth as a mobile app, it’s already behind.
In fact, studies show that the global coffee apps market is projected to grow from US$0.11 billion in 2024 to US$0.39 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 14.9% during the forecast period (Business Research Insights, 2024).
This generation isn’t playing around when it comes to sustainability. They’ll skip the coffee entirely if it comes in a so-called compostable cup that’s headed for the landfill, or if the beans aren’t ethically sourced.
They’re looking for:
Sustainability isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s a dealbreaker. So, if you’re upgrading your coffee experience, it better be as green as it is great.
Gen Z sees coffee as more than just a drink. It’s a vibe, a ritual, a reason to step away from their desk and connect with coworkers.
They want breakrooms to feel:
If your breakroom is giving “sad beige room with sad beige coffee,” it’s time to rethink the machine and the space. Good coffee = good vibes = better culture.
Customization is EVERYTHING to Gen Z, with 75% of young coffee drinkers opting for flavored syrups, from classic vanilla to toasted marshmallow (Coffee Intelligence, 2025). They don’t want one-size-fits-all anything. On TikTok, videos showcasing rainbow lattes, whipped matcha, and even onion-infused coffees rack up millions of views, proving that for Gen Z, aesthetics and fun flavors are what grabs their interest. For them, a caramel dark chocolate chip latte is not a guilty pleasure, it’s simply a pleasure.
They expect:
Think Spotify Wrapped, but for coffee. If it’s not personal, it’s not engaging.
Glad you asked, because that’s where KioSoft comes in.
We help businesses and coffee service operators modernize their coffee game with smart coffee solutions, cashless payment tech, and mobile-first experiences that Gen Z actually wants to use.
Whether you’re running an office, managing micro-markets, or building the breakroom of the future, our systems are designed for the modern workplace. From fully automated café-style setups like our Kiosk Series 3.5 and Kiosk Series 2.2, to sleek self-serve countertop units like CameoPay and Solo Cart, we offer flexible solutions that keep service fast, fresh, and premium.
Here’s what you can expect:
In short: We make it easy to serve better coffee, with less friction, more flexibility, and a lot more flavor.
Ready to modernize your workplace coffee culture? Let’s chat now.
Learn more about KioSoft’s coffee solutions at: www.kiosoft.com or contact us directly at: [email protected].
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