A recent survey conducted among 2,000 on-site employees has shed light on the beverages that keep office workers energized throughout their workday.
The survey revealed that the average individual spends approximately 50 hours each year acquiring beverages from cafes during their work hours. With three such trips a week, each taking around 16 minutes, employees end up losing an entire work week annually.
However, having a preferred drink in hand can help kick-start the day. According to the survey, individuals typically organize their tasks (60%), enjoy their favorite beverage (59%), and check their emails (55%) to get their workday underway.
While hot coffee (66%) remains the most popular initial drink of the day, participants also lean towards cold options such as iced coffee (47%), water (45%), and flavored water (30%).
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Flavia, a multi-beverage system maker, the survey suggests a potential link between drink preferences and productivity.
Seventy-seven percent of coffee drinkers feel the need for two or more cups of coffee to be productive during the workday, with 24% specifically stating that Mondays require the most coffee consumption.
Furthermore, 60% turn to a hot cup of coffee to uplift their mood while at work.
In order to freshen things up, individuals often get creative with their beverage choices, with nearly two-thirds (64%) stating that they “always” or “often” vary the type of drink consumed throughout the day.
Apart from hot coffee (77%), other beverages consumed during work hours include water (70%), iced coffee (64%), tea (62%), juice (55%), and flavored water (51%).
Camille Vareille, VP and Head of Marketing Americas at Lavazza Group, stated, “Over a third (37%) of those surveyed would like the ability to brew hot and cold beverages, and more than a quarter (26%) want to be able to brew different kinds of beverages at work.”
The cost of purchasing beverages at cafes can accumulate rapidly. On average, Americans spend approximately $16 per visit, buying around 2.5 drinks. With over three visits to cafes per week, this amounts to over $2,800 per year.
Vareille added, “The survey revealed that nearly 87% of respondents were going into the office between two to three days a week. Over eight in 10 employees said having free beverages as a workplace perk would make them feel valued, and offering free beverages was the most requested perk to encourage employees to work from an office. Investing in an array of beverages on-site can not only save employees time and money but also help with bringing them back into the office.”
The survey also explored the perks that would encourage on-site employees to work from an office. Free beverages (46%) topped the list, followed closely by required breaks (45%) and free food (45%).
Methodology: This survey was commissioned by Flavia and conducted by market research company OnePoll. A total of 2,050 U.S. adults who work on-site or in an office participated in the survey between March 29 and April 4, 2023. OnePoll team members hold membership in the Market Research Society, the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
