Best Espresso Machines for the Professional Drive-Thru
These are our choices. Proven. Efficient. Reliable. They WORK. And that helps you make YOU more money. We can sell, specify and recommend whatever we like. These meet our criteria as best-in-class espresso machines for the savvy espresso coffee business entrepreneur. Like you….

Any of these are appropriate for a drive-thru espresso business. What we recommend for a specific scenario depends on a number of factors, including: expected drinks per day, budget, clientele, owner philosophy, training and maintenance schedules and more.

Give us a call at (541) 554-909 to discuss your requirements and plans. We can help you set up your operation and choose the appropriate espresso technology to profit your business!

The Super “Standard” Espresso Machine
If you’re budget is cramped, you don’t have to settle for second fiddle. Here is power, reliability and value rolled into one. You could buy an Italian heat-exchange espresso machine and pay more. But you’d get less. The Astra Mega II is made in California, steams like mad and gets the job done well. Check out the slick milk foaming device that hooks a gallon to the steam wand. Works just like the auto-steaming Super Mega II (and we like that!).

The “Purist’s” Double Boiler Espresso Machines
It’s no secret we like double boiler espresso machines. Temperature stability IS a big deal, and these machines are much better than a heat-exchanger at maintaining optimum brewing temperature—regardless of technique, steaming demands and drink output. A bump up in price, yes. More capacity, and better shots, more often? Yes, again.

Probably our top choice for a non-superautomatic—and the model we have the most experience with—is the Conti Twin Star. The latest version is a busy drive-thru’s best friend, with a staggering 20L stainless boiler just for steam and hot water!

But the venerable La Marzocco Linea is great, too. And the new La Marzocco GB5 is a a coffee geek’s dream but price creep begins taking these out of the ballpark for the average drive-thru espresso purveyor, especially when paired with the desirable La Marzocco Swift grinder.

The Profit Machines: Superautomatic Espresso Machines
This is the future. Today. The Astra models we sell rock. Yes, a good barista can better the output from these wonder machines. But, when it comes to consistency, speed and simplicity—uh, yeah, that IS a drive-thru—there IS good reason Starbucks uses superautomatic espresso machines. And for a drive-thru the reasons are so compelling you really need to have a good reason NOT to!

We looked at a lot of superautomatics…and can verify that it’s a minefield out there…caveat emptor. Until we had used the Astra, we simply couldn’t justify them—as much as we wanted to. But the American-made Astra does such a wonderful job—WITH AN INCREDIBLY SIMPLE DESIGN—that we now are unabashed fans.

Sure, the Euro models are technological wizardy. And almost twice as expensive (or more) than those we offer. Not to mention incredibly complicated. And problematic for parts and labor issues.

This is clearly NOT the case with the Astra. Not at all.

We have the mack-daddy, does-it-all Super Mega I & II that includes a small milk refrigerator. It literally does it all but add the chocolate to your mocha! Pushbutton simplicity. Grinds, tamps, doses, pulls the shot and steams the milk. And does pretty good at it all. Available with one or two grinders. A drive-thru espresso MACHINE! All for less than a mid-level regular system with a Swift grinder (we also HIGHLY recommend this configuration for drive-thrus).

We also sell the Astra 2000, another superautomatic that includes the same grinder(s) and brewing mechanism as the Super Mega. It has an integrated steaming wand that leaves the milk foaming details to the barista. I used to think this “two-step” process would be the best of both worlds. But I’m not sure…. The Super Mega is all that. Super. Mega. And then some. But the Astra 2000 still might just be the perfect drive-thru espresso machine. We’ll keep you posted and let you know in a future article why that is…or just give us a call and we can talk tech.

Choosing the Perfect Drive-Thru Espresso Equipment Package
This article is a roundup of the primary espresso machines that we here at Velocity recommend, specify and sell. It’s not the entire list. But you really should consider these first. We’d be happy to go over the pros and cons with you and relate them to your particular situation. And, when you’re thinking of buying, let’s talk. Sure, you can take our recommendations and shop around. Go for it. And if you do, and you find a better price…well, just link right on back to us and let us know, because we can beat it. Why? We sell equipment as part of our service, so our prices are the lowest you will find.

Why Choose Velocity Coffee For Your Drive-Thru Espresso Business Partner? Our business is in helping you start or improve yours. Yes, we sell equipment…but that’s just a part of what we do…and just a fragment of what we offer!

Your Best Interest is Ours
We want you to have the best. The best equipment. The best coffee business advice. The best opportunity to profit…with Velocity! We want you to work with us. And we offer much more than the just ideal drive-thru espresso equipment. Velocity offers you the total package.