In this article, you’ll learn:
- What a nitro cold brew dispenser is
- The benefits for hospitality businesses
- How the equipment helps future-proof operations
As the cold coffee market grows in popularity, foodservice and hospitality businesses need new ways to stand out from the competition. One premium option is nitro cold brew, a chilled, nitrogen-infused version of cold brew coffee. With a foamy mouthfeel and visually appealing cascading appearance, it’s a drink that consumers often pay more for.
To serve it, however, businesses need a dedicated nitro cold brew dispenser. This equipment opens up the possibility of producing and dispensing nitro cold brew in-house, but you need to consider your operational requirements before investing. With the right system, however, you can unlock significant advantages and expand your drinks menu.
To learn more, I spoke to Kunal Gangwani, a food and beverage specialist with experience in the specialty coffee industry. Read on for his insight on the benefits of nitro cold brew dispensers.
What are the benefits of a nitro cold brew dispenser for hospitality businesses?
The main benefits of a nitro cold brew dispenser are ease and speed. Using specialised nitro equipment, it becomes much more efficient to not only prepare nitro cold brew but also dispense portions for customers in high-volume settings.
Want to see it in action? Watch a demo of the Hardtap here.
“They make life easier for staff because you can serve a smooth, ready-to-go nitro coffee in seconds,” Kunal tells me. The Hardtap, for example, can dispense up to 80 litres of liquid an hour, equating to 400 servings of nitro cold brew at 200 ml each. For high-speed environments like the morning rush at a coffee shop, this efficiency can cut queue times and increase customer satisfaction.
Efficiency is just as important. Modern nitro cold brew dispensers are compact and simple to use, often having preset dosage profiles for automatic pouring. It means staff can pour consistent volumes every time without concerns around spillage or liquid waste.
“For businesses like mine that are building a coffee startup, equipment like the Hardtank cold brew dispenser helps keep things consistent and saves a lot of time,” he adds. Hardtank systems are also designed for easy cleaning and daily maintenance, saving staff time and reducing hygiene risks.
Another benefit of a nitro cold brew dispenser is that it allows businesses to quickly pivot to newly emerging trends. Up to 68% of Gen Z coffee consumers prefer their coffee in nitro or iced formats, so having equipment that meets this demand is essential for driving sales. With the nitro coffee market growing at an estimated 24% each year, the need for such equipment is only going to rise.
Not only is nitro cold brew more popular than before, but it also presents a key value proposition. Due to the drink’s creamy mouthfeel and distinctive cascading effect, it’s often considered a premium format in coffee shops. On average, customers will pay up to $2 more for nitro cold brew over regular cold brew.
This means that a café selling 50 nitro drinks a day could generate up to $3,000 in additional revenue each month – enough to cover the cost of the dispenser in weeks. On a per-unit basis, this represents a huge profit opportunity and a fast return on investment on specialised nitro equipment.
With a nitro cold brew dispenser like the Hardtap, you can also save money while optimising your operations. Unlike traditional keg-based systems, it doesn’t require an external nitrogen tank, using atmospheric nitrogen infusion instead. Therefore, you can cut equipment costs and save storage space without sacrificing the unique nitro effect.
How do nitro cold brew dispensers also elevate the customer experience?
Beyond the improvements to your efficiency, a nitro cold brew dispenser also elevates the coffee experience for customers. When poured, it creates a cascading effect with a thick, foamy consistency reminiscent of stout beer.
“The pour looks amazing, the drink feels creamy without adding milk, and it tastes naturally sweeter,” Kunal says. “It’s not just about coffee – it’s about giving customers something exciting they can’t get at home.”
Consumer demand for premium drinks is on the rise, with 18% of consumers buying more premium drinks in 2024 than the year before. With equipment that allows you to serve nitro cold brew – and nitro forms of other drinks like iced tea – you can position yourself as a luxury business.
The process of pouring nitro cold brew is also a visually appealing one, which can translate to social media attention. The cascade effect makes for excellent video content for customers, encouraging them to post your business online. User-generated content is a core component of organic marketing, helping you reach new customers via word of mouth.
Lastly, on a pure taste level, the smoother mouthfeel and natural sweetness of nitro-infused coffee often mean there is no need for added milk or sugar. That makes it ideal for the growing market of health-conscious consumers looking to reduce calorie intake without sacrificing flavour and quality.
How can a nitro cold brew dispenser help businesses expand and scale?
One of the most overlooked advantages of a nitro cold brew dispenser is its versatility. Systems like the Hardtap can be used for drinks outside of cold brew, including tea, mocktails, and cascara. It presents an opportunity to develop your drinks menu without investing in additional equipment.
“With a dispenser like the Hardtap, you’re not limited to coffee – you can also serve nitro teas or even mocktails,” Kunal adds. “That flexibility is great for a young brand like mine, because it allows us to experiment with new drinks and grow without constantly worrying about consistency.”
For example, you could release a limited-edition nitro pumpkin cold brew during the autumn months to appeal to customers and swap it out for gingerbread cold brew in the winter. This ability to pivot to new products and trends with the same equipment helps you remain agile.
Similarly, a nitro cold brew dispenser supports easy scalability. The Hardtap can dispense 80 litres per hour, making it suitable for independent specialty coffee shops and high-volume chains. With the equipment, you can meet growing consumer demand and higher traffic without needing to purchase additional equipment. Likewise, your staff don’t need to manually pour drinks by hand, saving time and optimising workflows during peak hours.
In the coming years, consumer expectations will continue to evolve, and beverage menus will become more complex. To accommodate these changes, a nitro cold brew dispenser is a smart investment for businesses looking to offer premium products without compromising on efficiency. With benefits that extend from operational efficiency to enhanced customer experience, they allow you to build value, diversify your menu, and meet evolving market demands.
Nitro cold brew dispensers: Key takeaways for hospitality businesses
- Nitro cold brew dispensers allow staff to quickly serve premium drinks.
- The cascade effect and creamy texture often justify higher pricing, presenting a profit opportunity.
- Your nitro cold brew dispenser can also serve a range of other drinks to match future trends as they emerge.
Ready to invest in a nitro cold brew dispenser? Visit the Hardtap page to learn more or schedule a demo.
Nitro cold brew dispenser FAQ
What is a nitro cold brew dispenser?
It is a piece of equipment that infuses cold brew or other drinks with nitrogen and then dispenses them as a creamy, cascading beverage.
Why invest in a nitro cold brew dispenser?
It is the best way to ensure fresh drink service, tap into profit opportunities, and experiment with new drinks without needing additional equipment.
Do nitro cold brew dispensers require nitrogen taps?
It depends on the system you choose. The Hardtap uses atmospheric nitrogen infusion to remove the need for bulky, expensive external tanks.
Want to learn more about our nitro cold brew dispenser?
- See it in action: Watch our product presentation.
- Learn more: Read about the Hardtap here.
- Speak to an equipment expert: Contact our team here.
