OCS Update: Bunn-O-Matic's Sure Immersion machine refines bean-to-cup coffee brewing

When it comes to understanding and responding to customer desires, Bunn-O-Matic Corp. offers a full line of equipment options for operators. Bunn’s commercial OCS portfolio includes brewers and systems for traditional drip-coffee, modern bean-to-cup, espresso, single-serve and pod options, cold brew and iced coffee, along with grinders and cold/hot water dispensers, among other beverage solutions.

Editor’s note: As the pandemic winds down and vaccinations become more widespread, Automatic Merchandiser spoke to several leading commercial coffee equipment manufacturers in the OCS space to glean their predictions on a recovery and to learn how their coffee brewing technology can benefit operators and patrons. This article is the sixth in a seven-part series.

As refreshment operators prepare for the new normal, Bunn-O-Matic is positioning the Bunn Sure Immersion bean-to-cup brewers as its best office solution. The Sure Immersion grinds and brews fresh coffee on demand. Features include a vibrant touchscreen; a menu offering a variety of single-serve coffee beverages with two options for flavored powders; and three bean hoppers.

Bunn introduced Sure Immersion, which is made in coffee and espresso versions, in 2017 and has since added design improvements to the original models. The latest models support BUNNlink remote monitoring, VirtualTOUCH touchless selection and dispensing, and picture-prompted cleaning. A barcode ordering option and cashless payment acceptance reduce contact points.

Sure Immersions’ setup dimensions are 20.1” W. x 23.8” D. x 40.3” H. It requires a plumbed water connection.

Mike Hoeft, a Bunn sales vice president, said bean-to-cup coffeemakers benefit both the consumer and operator. For consumers, bean-to-cup provides a pleasant sensory experience: they can see the beans in hopper, hear them grind and smell the aroma – and they can always get a fresh cup of coffee on demand. For operators, these systems reduce coffee waste and labor, while driving up same-store sales as a result of superior quality.

Citing data from this year’s National Coffee Data Trends Market Research Series, Hoeft observed that the number of bean-to-cup brewers in offices grew 5% in 2020. “This was the only increase of equipment placements in workplaces last year…nothing else was growing,” he said.

“Employees are looking for a better cup of coffee at work,” Hoeft emphasized. “They want a coffeehouse experience at the office, and employers are looking to reduce contact on common surfaces coming out of COVID.”