26th June 2025
Running a coffee business in today’s market is all about balance. You want to offer great coffee at a fair price while still making a decent profit. But with rising costs and growing competition, keeping those profit margins healthy isn’t always easy.
At John Street Beverage, we’ve worked with countless cafés, restaurants, and resellers over the years. One thing we know for sure: how you price your coffee can make or break your business. If you’re a wholesale buyer, getting smart with pricing strategies can help you stay competitive and keep your profits intact.
Before setting any prices, it’s important to understand exactly what your coffee is costing you. That means looking beyond just the wholesale price per kilo.
You’ll also need to factor in:
Once you’ve got the full picture, you can figure out what you need to charge just to break even. Anything above that is where your profit starts to build.
Not all customers are looking for the cheapest cup. Some are happy to pay more for premium coffee, great service, or a locally roasted product. At John Street Beverage, for example, many of our buyers choose our premium Lavazza or Street & Co. blends because they know it gives them a product their customers will come back for.
Ask yourself:
The better you know your customers, the easier it is to price your coffee in a way that meets their expectations while protecting your bottom line.
One smart strategy wholesale buyers use is tiered pricing. This lets you offer different options for different price points.
For example:
This approach allows you to serve a wide range of customers and increase average spend without scaring anyone away with high prices across the board.
One of the most overlooked parts of pricing is portion control. If your staff are using too much coffee per shot, you could be losing profit without even noticing.
Make sure your team is trained on:
A well-tuned machine and properly trained staff can save you hundreds each month in wasted product.
Bundling products is a great way to boost margins without raising individual prices. For example, you can offer:
These little touches encourage bigger purchases and stronger brand loyalty, which in turn keeps your revenue consistent.
Market prices change, and so should your strategy. Regularly review:
At John Street Beverage, we keep our wholesale clients informed about pricing shifts and product demand. Staying one step ahead of the curve means you’re not stuck reacting to changes, you’re leading them.
Lastly, choosing a reliable wholesale coffee supplier makes a huge difference. A consistent product, dependable service, and transparent pricing allow you to plan confidently and price your menu accordingly.
At John Street Beverage, we supply a wide range of quality coffees that are not only great to drink but also great for business. From world-renowned Lavazza beans to our own popular blends, we help cafés and resellers across the UK make smart choices that lead to better profits.
Maximising your profit margin doesn’t mean charging more for every cup. It means understanding your costs, making informed choices, and offering smart value to your customers. With the right strategy and the right supplier behind you, growing your coffee business becomes a lot more straightforward.
If you’re looking for a trusted wholesale partner who understands both quality and margins, our team is here to help. Let’s work together to build a coffee offering that keeps your customers happy and your business growing.
