Coffee Shop Supplies: What You Need for a Drive-Thru Coffee Shop
Running a drive-thru coffee shop is different from a traditional café. You have limited space, high-speed service demands, and a focus on efficiency. Having the right supplies and equipment makes all the difference in keeping operations smooth and customers happy.
At Rebelz Coffee, we operate as a small drive-thru with no inside retail space, so we know firsthand what’s essential and what’s not. Here’s a breakdown of the key supplies you’ll need to run a fast, efficient drive-thru coffee shop.
1. Espresso & Brewing Equipment
Your espresso machine is the heart of your business. A reliable, commercial-grade setup ensures quality and speed.
Espresso Machine – We use a La San Marco 20/20 Space 2 Group Machine, ideal for a high-speed drive-thru.
Primary Coffee Grinder – A commercial burr grinder for consistent espresso.
Decaf Grinder – A secondary grinder for decaf beans to avoid cross-contamination.
Blender – Essential for blended drinks, frappes, and smoothies.
Our espresso machine has a hot water tap, so we don’t use a separate hot water dispenser.
2. Refrigeration & Food Storage
Cold storage is crucial for milk, juices, and perishable ingredients.
Commercial Refrigerator – Large enough to store milk, syrups, and food items.
Ice Maker – A must-have for iced drinks, especially in a high-volume drive-thru.
Milk & Dairy Alternatives – Whole milk, oat, almond, soy, and coconut milk (we source ours from Refreshment Concepts in Fresno).
Juices & Energy Drink Mixers – We stock Red Bull and other mixers for custom drinks.
Food Storage & Organization – Clear bins for syrups, dry goods, and barista tools.
3. Cups, Lids, & To-Go Supplies
Since 100% of our business is to-go, having the right disposable supplies is non-negotiable.
Hot Cups & Lids – We offer 12oz, 16oz, 24oz, and 32oz drinks.
Cold Cups & Lids – Clear plastic for iced drinks.
Straws & Stirrers – Both standard and eco-friendly options.
Cup Sleeves – For heat protection.
Drink Carriers – Essential for large orders.
At Rebelz Coffee, we get our cups, lids, straws, and sleeves from Refreshment Concepts in Fresno, CA. If you don’t have a local wholesale supplier, Restaurant Depot, Smart & Final, Costco for Business, and Sam’s Club are good alternatives.
4. Syrups, Sauces, & Drink Bases
Customization is key, so having a wide variety of flavoring options is a must.
Flavored Syrups – We use Monin syrups, which can be pricey, but with a good wholesaler, you can usually get a reasonable price.
Sauces – Chocolate, white chocolate, caramel.
Powders & Drink Bases – We use Sencha Naturals Matcha and Big Train Chai.
Squeeze Bottles – For sauce drizzles on lattes, blended drinks, and whipped cream toppings.
We get syrups, sauces, and powders from Refreshment Concepts to ensure consistent quality.
5. Offered Food Items
Even in a drive-thru, having grab-and-go food options increases sales. We keep it simple:
Breakfast Burritos – Easy to prep and a customer favorite.
Pastries & Baked Goods – Muffins, bagels, croissants.
Seasonal Prepackaged Snacks – We don’t offer prepackaged snacks regularly, but we bring them in for seasonal promotions.
A microwave and toaster help speed up food prep for warm options.
6. Cleaning & Maintenance Supplies
Keeping your workspace clean is essential for health codes and drink quality.
Espresso Machine Cleaner – We get ours from Refreshment Concepts for backflushing and descaling.
Milk Frother Cleaner – Prevents buildup in steam wands.
Sanitizing Wipes & Spray – For high-touch areas and equipment.
Dish Soap & Sponges – For cleaning milk pitchers and tools.
Bar Towels – Essential for wiping down stations and cleaning up spills.
Towel Service – We use Vestis, a delivery towel service, to ensure we always have fresh towels on hand.
7. Organizational Tools & Barista Essentials
A well-organized drive-thru makes drink-making faster and smoother.
Drink Recipe Binder – A quick reference for baristas.
Markers & Labels – For marking cups and organizing inventory.
Tampers & Knock Box – For efficient espresso prep.
Scales – To ensure consistent coffee-to-water ratios.
Timers – Helpful for training and tracking steep times for teas.
8. POS System & Business Essentials
Since speed is everything in a drive-thru, a fast and efficient POS system is a must.
POS System – We use Square for seamless transactions.
Receipt Printer – If your system doesn’t support digital receipts only.
Basic Office Supplies – Pens, order pads, and backup supplies.
Permits & Business Licenses – Required health and operating permits.
WiFi Router & Security System – If offering WiFi or for security cameras.
9. Where to Source Your Coffee Shop Supplies
Finding a local supplier can save you money and ensure better inventory management.
At Rebelz Coffee, we source our:
✔ Cups, lids, straws, sleeves, syrups, sauces, alternative milks, and espresso machine cleaner from Refreshment Concepts (Fresno, CA).
✔ Some additional products from Amazon for fast shipping and hard-to-find items.
If a local wholesale supplier isn’t available in your area, consider:
Restaurant Depot – Bulk food and beverage supplies.
Smart & Final – A good mix of wholesale and retail-sized products.
Costco for Business – Affordable bulk pricing.
Sam’s Club – Another solid option for wholesale purchasing.
Final Thoughts
Running a drive-thru coffee shop is all about efficiency, organization, and the right supplies. Having reliable equipment, quality ingredients, and a well-structured workflow makes a huge difference.
At Rebelz Coffee, our setup focuses on speed, consistency, and customer convenience, and these supplies are what keep our business running smoothly.
If you’re starting a coffee shop and need help with suppliers, setup, or business planning, book a small business consultation and let’s chat!
