hospitality · Equipment & asset finance
Coffee machine finance
The espresso machine is the single most important asset in most cafes. We fund the machine, grinders and water treatment together so the bar is complete on day one.
What is coffee machine finance?
Coffee machine finance is funding for a commercial espresso machine, grinders and water treatment, secured against the equipment. Australian cafes treat the espresso machine as core revenue equipment, and because price points are modest the finance is usually quick and requires little paperwork.
Australian cafe culture sets a high bar, and the espresso machine is where that shows. Group head count determines throughput, boiler capacity determines consistency through a rush, and grinder quality arguably matters as much as the machine itself. A three-group La Marzocco with good grinders is a serious investment, but for a cafe doing several hundred coffees a day it is the equipment that produces most of the revenue.
Financing is straightforward at this price point. The thing worth comparing carefully is the roaster machine deal. Many roasters will place a machine at no upfront cost in exchange for a coffee supply agreement at a set price per kilogram. That is convenient, but over five years the premium on the beans often exceeds what financing your own machine would have cost, and you have less freedom to change supplier.
Coffee machine finance at a glance
| Typical price range | $8,000 – $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Finance term | Up to 60 months |
| Useful life | About 10 years |
| New or used | New machines carry warranty and installation support; refurbished machines from recognised brands are common in Australia and are financeable where a service history exists. |
| Indicative rates (Fit-out finance) | 9.5% – 22% p.a. · rate history |
| Finance structures | Fit-out finance (recommended), Chattel mortgage, Equipment loan, Finance lease |
How lenders assess coffee machine finance
Espresso machines sit at a price point where most lenders approve on light documentation for an established ABN, often within a day or two. Grinders, water filtration and installation should be on the same invoice to be funded together. Machines below a lender’s minimum funding amount are usually bundled with other kitchen equipment on one contract. Many roasters offer machine loan or rental arrangements tied to coffee supply — worth comparing against ownership, because the total cost over five years can be higher.
Before you buy
- Match group head count to your peak hour, not your daily average; a two-group machine will bottleneck a busy morning rush.
- Budget for water filtration — scale from untreated water is the fastest way to destroy a commercial machine.
- Compare a roaster’s machine loan deal against buying outright; the tied coffee price often makes the free machine expensive.
Commonly financed
La Marzocco Linea PB and Linea Classic · Synesso MVP Hydra · Slayer Espresso · Wega Concept and Polaris · Mazzer and Mahlkönig grinders
Estimate coffee machine repayments
- Number of repayments
- 60
- Balloon at end of term
- $4,400
- Total interest (est.)
- $10,436
- Total repaid (est.)
- $32,436
This calculator provides an estimate only and does not account for fees, charges or the specific terms a lender may offer. It is not financial advice or an offer of finance.
Key terms
What is coffee machine finance?
Coffee machine finance is a loan or lease used to buy a commercial espresso machine and grinders, with the equipment as security. Terms usually run 24 to 60 months and installation and water treatment can be included when quoted with the machine.
Is a roaster’s free machine cheaper than financing?
Not always. A roaster machine loan removes the upfront cost but ties you to a coffee supply agreement at a set price and volume. Over a five-year period the price premium on beans frequently exceeds the cost of financing your own machine, and you lose supplier flexibility.