Premium Italian coffee brand Illy is to launch self-service coffee bars nationwide as demand for the format booms.
The bean-to-cup self-service ‘Illy On The Go’ coffee bars will roll out across retail, universities, hotel, leisure clubs, and workplace locations, with a target to achieve 1,000 placements during the next five years. The UK will be the first market where this concept will be launched, from this month.
The machines will serve Illy’s blend of 100% arabica beans, with the unit itself made of 95% recycled products, as well as 30% being made from waste coffee grounds.
It comes as the global self-serve coffee bars market was worth nearly £4.8bn in 2024 and is expected to reach almost £7bn in 2029, according to The Business Research Company.
The bars will launch in partnership with Beanology, which will offer retailer and foodservice partners full installation, servicing and brand guardian support.
“We know a growing number of consumers are looking for convenience in their coffee,” said Illy UK and Ireland MD Marcello Canetti. “However, consumers simply aren’t willing to compromise on taste or ethics.
“At Illy, we’ve spent decades perfecting our premium blend of 100% arabica beans, and we’re proud to bring our signature taste to a self-service machine. The name Illy will give both consumers – and our retail and foodservice partners – confidence that their coffee will always be of a barista-level quality, whatever the format.”
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