illy rolls out self-service coffee bars in the UK
Image Credit: illy
illy is launching illy On The Go — a series of bean-to-cup self-service coffee bars primarily focused on retail, foodservice, leisure, education and convenience on the back of booming demand for the format.
The new coffee bars are currently rolling out, with a target to achieve 1,000 placements during the next five years.
Serving illy’s expert blend of 100% Arabica beans, with its trademark smooth, velvety flavour, the machines play to growing demand for both self-serve and premium options. The unit itself is made of 95% recycled products, as well as 30% being made from waste coffee grounds.
The global self-serve coffee bars market was worth nearly £4.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach just shy of £7 billion in 2029. However, consumers are no longer willing to compromise on quality for the sake of convenience. Demand for premium espresso-style drinks, quality beans and café-level taste in a quick, automated format is rising, especially among younger generations and busy professionals.
illy’s latest move will play to that demand and the UK will be the first market where this concept will be launched. illy’s blend is served via more than 2,000 high-end UK hospitality venues. These new self-serve coffee bars will launch in partnership with Beanology.
Marcello Canetti, managing director UK & IE at illy, said: “We know a growing number of consumers are looking for convenience in their coffee. However, consumers simply aren’t willing to compromise on taste or ethics. At illy, we’ve spent decades perfecting our premium blend of 100% Arabica beans, and we’re proud to bring our signature taste to a self-serve machine. The illy name will give both consumers – and our retail and foodservice partners – confidence that their coffee will always be of a barista-level quality, whatever the format.”
As well as quality, the illy self-service machines also play to the growing consideration given to sustainability credentials of food and drink suppliers. illy On The Go has been designed to minimise waste and offer an ethical coffee option for those who need to grab and go.
Kerry Burvill, founder of Beanology, said: “Demand for on-the-go coffee has evolved rapidly, with customers now expecting café-quality drinks delivered through reliable, automated formats. Beanology was developed to meet that need with innovative machine solutions. Our partnership with illy brings a clear point of difference to a market that now expects a higher standard.”
