Costa Coffee Adds Convection Ovens, More

A pair of equipment additions and a handful of fresh drive-thru stores in the U.K.—from Ashford to Maidstone and beyond—have perked up the portfolio of Costa Coffee in recent months.

Charlie Ferguson, the brand’s head of propositions and implementation for the U.K. and Ireland, shared details with FER.

For one, Costa Coffee is in the process of rolling out countertop convection ovens. Ferguson says the rollout will include 1,000 stores and will give staff the ability to bake fresh pastries daily. “This investment ensures we can consistently offer high-quality food to complement our coffee,” he says. “Customer feedback has been fantastic.”

Further, on the exterior of the chain’s newest drive-thru stores, all-weather digital menu boards greet customers. Recently, based on customer feedback that customers wanted more time to review the menu, Ferguson says they added an additional pair of screens ahead of the order point. “This change has helped create a smoother, more relaxed ordering experience for customers, and supports our baristas by reducing pressure during peak times,” he says.

Costa Coffee spans 50 countries. Besides its traditional stores and travel locations, in 2023, the brand debuted a smart, automated self-serve machine that grinds beans and can concoct more than 100 hot or iced drinks before needing to be replenished.