Are you Christmas ready?

Daniel Clarke, Commercial Director, La Cimbali offers practical advice for stress-free Christmas trading

Are you ‘Christmas ready’ this year?

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for operators. The streets are packed with shoppers. Spirits are high and, with the increased footfall, there is a great opportunity for bumper revenue.

Here are simple tips to make sure your team are ‘Christmas ready’ this year.

Protecting your biggest investment

Food-to-go operators can turn a great profit from coffee but to keep the pounds rolling in it is important to look after the coffee machine. After all, it is likely to be one of your biggest investments.

Regular cleaning and maintenance checks

We know that around 60% of coffee machine breakdowns are caused by poorly maintained equipment. So, whether you have a traditional or bean-to-cup model, it is vital to adopt regular cleaning and maintenance checks. Not only will this discipline help minimise the risk of machine breakdowns, but it will also help deliver quality beverages too.

We recommend daily cleaning for traditional machines with regular deep cleanses using specialist cleaning products. For bean-to-cup models, regular short machine washes through the working day e.g., every 30 minutes in sites with high footfall, and 3 times a day as a minimum, work well. A full wash at the end of the working day typically takes ten minutes and provides the additional ‘deep clean’ needed for best practice.

We encourage baristas to adopt the mantra ‘purge/steam/clean/purge’, constantly flushing the system through to remove condensation and milk, whilst wiping the steam arm with a sanitised cloth and this is an excellent habit to get into. At the end of the day, the nozzle should also be unscrewed from the steam arm and soaked in warm water for optimum hygiene and cleanliness.

If you are not on a maintenance contract with your machine supplier, then don’t leave it too late to check if your beverage equipment is due for a service. With the additional costs associated with emergency callouts, plus the potential loss in revenue, the last thing you need is for your machine to break down at the busiest and most lucrative time of the year!

Invest in barista training

If you are taking on extra staff to cope with increased trade over the festivities, then it is a good idea to invest in barista training for new and existing staff to maximise the workflow and ensure standards are high. 

Understanding the key features of the machine and brushing up on essential barista skills will help speed up service and maintain the in-cup quality which will inevitably pay dividends during busy spells.

Adding a festive spin to the specialty coffee menu

Weary shoppers will be looking for a warm and welcoming environment in which to enjoy their coffee break.

Tempt them in with themed window and interior displays by switching up the menu with seasonal recipes. Get creative by updating the classics, using the flavours of the season – eggnog, chestnut, or ginger. Opt for something new or trend led such as chocolate orange, winter spice or mulled fruits. Or why not develop a limited edition hot chocolate menu using the many different plant milks, artisan chocolates and flavour pairings available?  The options are almost endless, the only limit is your imagination!

If investing in new equipment, look out for a machine brand with more sophisticated milk management systems which can cater for both plant and dairy milks. For example, La Cimbali offers a range of technologies across the range which all create perfectly foamed milk every time at a consistent quality for latte art. This certainly takes the pressure off the barista team, particularly when there are queues at the till.

A final word …

Supporting your local community

Christmas is a time of year when many folks think about how they can give something back to the local community.

Supporting a local charity, school or group is a great way to reach out and show commitment to the community which in turn may reap rewards for your business, not least additional footfall, increased sales and a feel-good factor amongst staff.