Japan's FamilyMart renewing coffee machines developed with top barista
TOKYO -- Major Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart Co. is set to renew the coffee machines it places near counters at stores nationwide for the first time in seven years, introducing machines developed with the help of a globally renowned barista.
The new machines allow for nine levels of grinding adjustment and offer 34 menu options tailored to customer preferences. Tetsu Kasuya, who won the World Brewers Cup in 2016, codeveloped the new machine and praised its capabilities, stating, "What we usually do in our cafes can now be achieved in convenience stores. It's quite a groundbreaking feature."
Changing needs
FamilyMart's counter coffee service was launched in earnest in September 2012 and rebranded in November 2013. Daily sales in 2024 were 1.2 times higher than in 2014, marking a record high. Since starting the collaboration with Kasuya in February 2020, sales have surpassed 1.73 billion cups as of early this month.
According to FamilyMart, a survey shows most coffee consumption is driven by "off" needs such as wanting to relax or refresh, greatly surpassing "on" needs like staying awake or concentrating.
With an increase in high-quality beans and diverse ways to enjoy coffee, people's preferences for the beverage are becoming more varied. In response to such market needs, FamilyMart put repeated effort into developing the new machine with Kasuya so that coffee drinkers would be able to choose the exact flavor they desired at any given time.
Machines to be replaced in all stores by May 2026
As a result, the new machine allows customers to choose the strength of both coffee and cafe lattes, expanding the menu from 16 to 34 options.
Previously, the grind setting couldn't be changed for each menu item, but the new machine adjusts the grind to match the desired strength and menu choice. This enhances the aroma of the beans, similar to specialty stores. Additionally, the method of dispensing the hot water has been changed from a straight type to a shower type for more uniform extraction.
For the blend, customers can choose three levels of richness and sharpness, including "light" which offers a clean aftertaste without any off-flavors and "strong," which features subtle acidity and deep bitterness.
For cafe lattes, options include the "regular latte," which offers a harmonious blend of coffee and milk; "milk rich," characterized by the sweetness of rich milk; and "coffee rich," which is able to satisfy coffee enthusiasts.
The company began rolling out the new machines at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai venue and select stores in Tokyo starting on June 2. FamilyMart plans to replace machines in all of its domestic stores by May 2026, installing between 27,000 and 29,000 units in total.
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