What We did for the University of Warwick to Improve speed, Consistency, and Workflow in their Café
Coffee shops often face one major issue during peak hours: long queues.
Not only do queues frustrate customers, but they can also cost you sales. At Gibbet Hill Café on the University of Warwick campus, queues were stretching out the door. Some people were waiting up to 30 minutes for their coffee, and many just gave up and walked away.
We worked with the food and beverage team at Warwick redesign the layout, upgrade the equipment, and improve the workflow. The result? A setup that helped reduce coffee shop queues, improved drink quality, and lowered staffing requirements. Here’s a breakdown of what we did:
Start With your Layout and Workflow
Create a Compact, Efficient Space
Space was tight at Gibbet Hill, so we focused on keeping everything within easy reach. Before, the grinder and espresso machine were on opposite sides of the bar, which disrupted the flow and slowed things down.
Now, the workflow moves in one clean line from right to left, from order to espresso to milk to serve. This smoother setup alone has helped to reduce coffee shop queues by speeding up service during busy times.
Integrate your Tools to Maximise Space
We also installed a PUQpress directly underneath the grinder. Not only does this save counter space, but it also removes one of the most inconsistent parts of making espresso – tamping. The PUQpress is an automatic tamper that takes all of the human error and strain out of the manual tamping process, producing event and consistent tamping every time, regardless of who’s on shift.
Upgrade your Equipment for Speed and Consistency
Faster Grinders Made all the Difference
The original grinder took up to 15 seconds to dose coffee. We replaced it with an E80 Supreme, which can dose in as little as 3 seconds. That alone shaved valuable time off each order.
We also added a second grinder – a smaller Anfim Luna – for decaf. Before, decaf grounds were being transported from another site, which wasn’t ideal for quality or speed. Having decaf on hand improved workflow and reduced queue times even further.=
Reliable Espresso Machine = Consistent Results
We installed the Sanremo F18 single boiler, chosen for its excellent temperature stability and energy efficiency. With faster steam wands and reliable espresso output, baristas can work faster without compromising quality.
Being a high performance single boiler espresso machine, the F18 SB keeps up with high demand during the cafés busiest hours whilst providing great consistency and performance. For the busier coffee shops with a great budget, a multi-boiler commercial espresso machine might provide a further increase in performance even still.
Milk Made Easy with the Magrini Milk Machine
Steaming milk consistently is one of the hardest things to train for. That’s why we installed a Magrini milk machine – it delivers perfectly textured milk for each drink type at the push of a button.
It also lets staff prepare multiple drinks at once. For example, Alie, the café manager, can steam dairy milk with the machine while frothing oat milk manually, meaning two drinks are ready at the same time. That’s a big win for speed and a key way to reduce coffee shop queues.
The Results?
Quicker Service, Fewer staff
Since the changes, queue times have almost halved, even with one fewer team member. At peak times, queues still build up – but they move much faster. Customers are no longer walking away because they know they’ll be served quickly.
Easier Training and Consistent Drinks
With tools like the puck press and milk machine doing the heavy lifting, new baristas need less training to deliver consistent, high-quality drinks. That means fewer mistakes, faster onboarding, and more time focused on the customer.
Serving More Customers, More Efficiently
The new layout allows baristas to move quickly from one task to the next. While milk is steaming automatically, they can take another order. By the time they turn around, the first drink is ready, and they’re on to the next one. This kind of setup is ideal if you're trying to reduce coffee shop queues during busy periods without adding more staff.
Want to reduce queues in your café?
If you’re struggling with long wait times, inconsistent drinks, or a slow workflow, it might be time to rework your setup. With the right layout and equipment, you can reduce coffee shop queues, improve your customer experience, and make life easier for your team.
At Bridge Coffee Roasters, we help businesses like yours find the best solutions for faster, smarter service. Whether you need a new machine, better bar flow, or staff training, we’re here to help.