Case study

Channel 4, London

In May 2017 we pitched alongside Channel 4's catering partner to raise the standard of coffee at its London headquarters. The result was a single-origin coffee chosen over weeks of tasting, a sleek new café set-up and a trained, passionate team. Coffee sales have grown 75% since.

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Barista pulling an espresso shot on the Modbar at Channel 4

  • 2017

    Coffee partner at Channel 4 HQ since May

  • +75%

    Increase in coffee sales

  • 1 origin

    Brazil Santa Lucia, chosen over weeks of tasting

  • Modbar

    Under-counter espresso for a clean, minimal bar

Raising the standard

  • The challenge

    Speciality coffee, and a team to match

    Channel 4 wanted to improve its coffee offer, bring in speciality coffee and build passion and knowledge in its barista team, in a newly designed café where the look of the bar mattered as much as the taste in the cup.

  • Our solution

    Santa Lucia and a Modbar

    After weeks of tasting, we chose a single-origin coffee from Santa Lucia in Brazil: sweet, balanced and great with milk. We installed a Modbar, an under-counter espresso system, so the café kept its clean, minimal look with nothing bulky on the counter.

  • The result

    Coffee sales up 75%

    A beautiful café serving speciality coffee, run by a knowledgeable team who love great customer service. Coffee sales have risen by 75% since we started working together.

On site at Channel 4

  • Modern Standard Coffee beans pouring into a grinder at the Channel 4 coffee bar

    The coffee

  • Modbar espresso taps and wooden-handled portafilters at the Channel 4 coffee bar

    The Modbar

  • Barista working behind the coffee bar at Channel 4

    The team

  • Channel 4 staff café counter with baristas serving coffee and food

    The café

On the bar at Channel 4

Made properly, cup after cup

Great coffee only works if it's made well. Our training at Channel 4 focused on knowledge as well as skills, so the team understand the coffee they're serving and take real care over every drink.

Step by step

What we did

  1. Tasting over several weeks

    Rather than defaulting to a blend, we tasted options with the team until one coffee stood out. Brazil Santa Lucia won on sweetness and balance.

  2. Equipment that fits the design

    A Modbar keeps the working parts under the counter, so the café stays open and uncluttered and the baristas can face customers.

  3. Training for knowledge, not just skills

    We trained the team on how to make great coffee and on where it comes from, so they can talk about it with confidence.

  4. Ongoing support

    We stayed on hand to keep the coffee tasting as it should, every day.

Channel 4 wanted a café that looked beautiful and served brilliant coffee. We found a coffee everyone loved, then chose kit that stayed out of sight so the team and the coffee could take centre stage.

Lynsey Harley
Founder and CEO

What this means for you

Planning a new café space?

  • Takeaway cup under the Modbar espresso tap at Channel 4

    Design and coffee together

    Talk to us early and we'll help choose equipment that suits both the space and the volume.

  • Espresso pouring from a portafilter into a white cup at Channel 4

    One great coffee can be enough

    A well-chosen single origin can carry a whole menu. Our seasonal single origins change with the harvest.

  • Barista pouring latte art at the Modbar at Channel 4

    A team that cares

    Barista training is included free for our wholesale partners, on site across Scotland and London.

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