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Franke Coffee Systems details its Coffee Competence Program, designed to empower people to craft the perfect cup of coffee – every time.
Preparing a great cup of coffee is both an art and a science – it demands more than just quality beans or a state-of-the-art coffee machine.
The team at Franke Coffee Systems believe the secret lies in the seamless blend of advanced technology and profound coffee expertise, a combination that can ensure every cup is an unforgettable experience.
In this quest for the ultimate brew, what’s often overlooked is how the growing coffee knowledge among consumers is reshaping their expectations for out-of-home experiences. Today’s coffee drinkers are more informed than ever before, often familiar with terms like grind size, brewing methods, and milk alternatives.
According to Franke, this means they demand the same level of quality from their local coffee shop or restaurant as they might achieve with their home coffee machine. This heightened awareness requires operators not only to deliver premium coffee but also leverage advanced solutions to meet these expectations consistently.
The challenge of consistency
For many, delivering consistent, high-quality coffee beverages across multiple outlets is no easy task. The potential impact on coffee quality throughout the processing chain is immense. All the core parameters of coffee brewing – grind dosage, water temperature, brewing pressure, and tamping – as well as the interaction between the roasted coffee and the machine, and the hygiene knowledge of the staff, have a profound influence on producing the perfect cup every time.
The Allegra Project Café Europe 2024 study into the European coffee shop market demonstrated the significance of consistent quality standards. For example, when asked to rank key factors in determining a high-quality coffee experience, nearly 80 per cent of respondents in France identified consistent beverage standards as the most important element. While preferences slightly vary by country, the research highlights that customers value reliability in their coffee experience. Nevertheless, many coffee shop chains struggle to maintain consistency across their locations.
Franke says challenges include machines being set incorrectly, beverages that don’t align with customer expectations, and staff unfamiliar with the nuances of coffee preparation. A poorly calibrated coffee machine can diminish even the finest beans, while an improperly trained team can leave customers unimpressed. These challenges demand a thoughtful and comprehensive approach.
Thus, how can technology and in-cup quality be paired to produce the best coffee every time? This question drives Franke Coffee Systems’ mission to combine cutting-edge innovation with unparalleled coffee knowledge.
Coffee Competence Program
To address this challenge, in 2018 the company relaunched the Franke Coffee Competence Program. The global initiative was established to empower coffee businesses across the industry – from coffee shop chains to restaurants and convenience stores – with the tools, training, workshops, and expertise needed to consistently deliver in-cup quality.
While initially managed by Inga Schaeper, Coffee Competence Manager of Franke Coffee Systems and industry expert with more than 30 years of experience, the Program has since expanded its reach to meet the unique coffee cultures and preferences of different regions.
Recognising the diverse needs of coffee businesses worldwide, Franke has rolled out the Program to its regional Coffee Competence Managers. These experts are essential in adapting global coffee knowledge to the local nuances of their markets, and advising on customisable coffee and milk beverages according to national consumer preferences and culture.
For example in China, where preferences lean towards innovative specialty drinks and teas, the focus is on ensuring versatility and precision to meet these diverse demands.
“Coffee culture is evolving around the world, and so are the expectations of coffee lovers. To meet these demands, our partners and customers must secure the best in-cup quality, day after day, cup by cup,” says Schaeper.
Combining innovation and expertise
The team at Franke believe the heart of this approach is the integration of advanced technology with deep coffee competence.
Each of its fully automatic coffee machines is pre-set with beverage menus designed to meet up to 80 per cent of customer demands instantly. Before they’re launched, the machines are meticulously calibrated and tested to ensure settings match the unique requirements of coffee business owners and their customers.
“Consistency isn’t just about technology: it’s about understanding what the customer wants and ensuring the machine delivers it every single time,” says Christof Feichtinger, Franke Coffee Competence Manager for Germany and Austria.
To ensure customers get the best out of its machines, Franke offers a series of training modules to emphasise practical relevance and participant engagement. For example, the iQFlow Taste Profiling Workshop allows participants to experience the technology firsthand, apply it themselves, and evaluate the results in a joint tasting session.
Franke also runs similar training internally, ensuring its staff and technicians are well equipped to handle any issues that may arise.
“Our service technicians don’t just install and repair machines, they’re equipped to perform sensory evaluations to ensure everything is working perfectly,” says Schaeper.
To stay ahead of evolving trends, the team at Franke’s headquarters in Switzerland regularly exchange insights with their network of representatives across the world.
Gage Johnston, Coffee Competence Manager for the Americas, highlights the popularity of chilled beverages in North America.
“We are committed to meeting the rising demand for iced and flavoured coffee drinks by tailoring our machines and menus to ensure the exceptional in-cup quality our customers expect,” he says.
However, in the Asia-Pacific region, Yan Peng, Coffee Competence Manager for APAC, believes the rise of specialty drinks is significant.
“In the APAC region, where preferences range from traditional milk teas to cutting-edge specialty drinks, our approach is to bridge these diverse needs through training and precision technology,” he says.
Using this crucial feedback, the Franke experts work collaboratively to develop both standard and bespoke coffee recipes, leveraging their diverse professional experiences to deliver results.
As an example, a leading supermarket chain faced challenges with inconsistent in-cup coffee quality, cleaning discipline, and beverage menu alignment across its locations. To address these issues, Franke organised a workshop bringing together representatives and service partners.
The Coffee Competence team implemented a unified master recipe file to standardise beverage quality, with adjusted recipes for improved taste profiles, and introduced a quality control and cleaning process across its stores.
The team report that these changes reduced dispensing times without compromising quality, streamlined operations, and enhanced customer satisfaction, positioning the chain to expand its coffee offerings confidently.
Shaping the future
With innovation at its core, Franke aims to influence the future of coffee. From the development of digital products to the ongoing refinement of beverage menus, the company continually strives to elevate in-cup quality. Solutions like iQFlow, developed to deliver optimal and consistent extraction and individual taste profiling, open up possibilities for personalisation.
“For food and beverage managers, partnering with Franke means going beyond the ordinary to achieve extraordinary coffee experiences. With a unique blend of technology and coffee competence, customers can enjoy the best coffee, everywhere, every time,” says Schaeper.
“Franke Coffee Systems offers a wealth of expertise in a range of added-value services, including research and in-house training, all designed to help businesses deliver exceptional in-cup quality coffee tailored to their specific audiences.”
For more information, visit coffee.franke.com
This article was first published in the March/April 2025 edition of Global Coffee Report. Read more HERE.
The post Beyond beans and machines appeared first on Global Coffee Report.
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