When you think of gas station cafés, you might picture quick stops and convenience. But Coral Croatia, the licensee operating SHELL Café across Croatia, has a different vision — a place where every coffee feels like it’s made by a barista, even in the middle of a rush hour.
With over 5 of the busiest outlets now powered by Latte Art Factory, SHELL Café in Croatia is redefining what customers can expect from a highway stop: consistency, speed, and barista-level quality — every single cup.
Meeting High Demand Without Compromising Quality
Across these high-traffic SHELL Café locations, it has been noted a substantial increase in daily preparations of beverages. That’s a huge challenge — especially when most staff are not professional baristas but versatile team members who handle food preparation, cashier duties, and customer service.
“We serve a lot of milk-based drinks — around 80% of our coffee orders — so getting milk texture and temperature right with speed is crucial,” explains Lana Trampus, Gastro Category Manager at Coral Croatia. “The Latte Art Factory makes that easy and consistent, no matter who’s behind the counter.”
Faster Workflow, Happier Staff, Better Coffee
Before adopting LAF, training staff to make quality milk beverages took time and practice. Now, the process is instant.
The automated milk system ensures perfect microfoam and temperature every time, reducing human error and allowing staff to focus on other tasks — from serving food to customer engagement.
“Since day one, the team was thrilled,” says Lana. “It makes their lives easier, reduces training time, and gives them confidence. Any staff member can now deliver top-quality beverages — and that’s a big win for us.”
In high-turnover environments like service stations, reducing training time is a major advantage. LAF has helped streamline operations, cut milk waste, and simplify beverage preparation — all while maintaining a faster workflow during peak hours.
A Noticeable Difference for Customers
The results didn’t just stay behind the counter. Customers immediately noticed the improvement in quality and texture. Many began returning more often — and Coral Croatia’s loyalty program engagement increased notably after the LAF installation.
“We see more repeat visits and hear from customers that our coffee tastes better than ever,” says Lana. “They come back for the quality — even at a gas station café!”
Top 3 Benefits Noticed by Coral Croatia
Raising the Bar for Gas Station Cafés
By introducing Latte Art Factory, Coral Croatia has elevated SHELL Café’s brand image — transforming the perception of what a gas station café can be. Customers now associate SHELL Café not just with convenience, but with quality coffee experiences that rival city cafés.
“This innovation helps us stand out,” concludes Lana. “It supports our staff, delights our customers, and truly levels up our brand.”
Hövelhof, 21 November 2025 – CUP&CINO is excited to announce the acquisition of the TONE brand. The global distribution network for TONE coffee systems will be fully integrated into the CUP&CINO GROUP. CUP&CINO, headquartered in Hövelhof for 30 years, is making a clear statement with this move: consolidating expertise and expanding its international distribution network. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
With the integration of TONE, the CUP&CINO GROUP grows to a total of four strong brands: CUP&CINO, Latte Art Factory, BaristaOne, and TONE. While CUP&CINO operates as a concept provider in Germany and Austria, Latte Art Factory, BaristaOne, and TONE form the International Division – focusing on technological excellence in the coffee industry.
Two Innovation Leaders Combine Their Strengths
Expanding the product portfolio is a strategic step to create targeted synergies for customers worldwide. TONE is known for its state-of-the-art, energy-efficient brewing systems and minimalist Swiss design, which combines functionality and sustainability. TONE machines set standards in precision, temperature control, and energy efficiency – making them a perfect complement to the milk and coffee systems from Latte Art Factory and BaristaOne.
“With TONE, we are expanding our portfolio with the leading brewing technology in the batch coffee segment – a missing puzzle piece that completes our vision of being a holistic solution provider for the coffee industry,” explains Frank Epping, Founder and CEO of the CUP&CINO GROUP. “Together, we will offer our customers everything from a single source – from the perfect milk solution and fully automatic machines to the most innovative brewers in the industry.”
Shared Values and a Common Vision
Both CUP&CINO and TONE stand for continuous technological innovation, the highest quality equipment, and a premium experience for their customers. The combination of these values forms the foundation for sustainable growth, expanded market presence, and the strengthening of existing partnerships.
“The integration of TONE in our portfolio fits perfectly in pursuit of quality, reliability, and innovation,” adds Sven Keysers, CEO of the International Division at CUP&CINO. “It’s not just about expansion, but also about building trust – cup by cup and relationship by relationship. Ultimately, it’s all about the customer experience: providing people worldwide with an exceptional coffee experience that combines technology, craftsmanship, and emotion.”
Holger Welz, founder of TONE, also emphasizes: “I am pleased that TONE technology and products can now be integrated into a larger portfolio of premium products and that the CUP&CINO GROUP shares our values and will consistently drive technological advancement and the international distribution of TONE products. This partnership opens up new opportunities for our customers worldwide.”
Continuity and Integration
The TONE team will be integrated into the CUP&CINO GROUP. Existing partnerships and business relationships will continue unchanged. Customers will also benefit from the expanded product portfolio and the global network of the Latte Art Factory and BaristaOne brands.
In the short term, the focus is on the seamless integration of the team and the successful continuation of ongoing projects with existing TONE partners. In the long term, the group aims to become one of the world’s leading providers of premium coffee technology with complete solutions from a single source.
The morning rush is intense. Orders are flying, and you’ve got a pitcher of steamed milk that’s been sitting too long. The foam has separated, and it’s no longer silky smooth. The temptation to give it a quick blast from the steam wand is strong, but resist.
Resteaming milk is a common shortcut that harms your coffee quality and your customers’ experience. Here’s why you should avoid it.
Proper steaming has two goals:
The result? Silky, glossy, sweet milk with integrated foam, perfect for latte art and delicious coffee.
Fresh milk steamed to 140-150°F (60-65°C) breaks down lactose, enhancing natural sweetness. Resteaming pushes milk far beyond this temperature, burning the sugars and creating a sulfuric, eggy taste. The proteins denature, losing their ability to hold air—you get bubbly, stiff, separated foam instead of silky microfoam.
Resteaming doesn’t reintegrate foam—it destroys it. Instead of smooth, velvety texture, you get large, airy bubbles on top of thin, watery milk. This dry, clumpy foam separates instantly and makes latte art impossible.
Overheating breaks down fats, leaving beverages thin and lifeless. That luxurious texture customers expect from specialty coffee? Completely gone.
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) emphasizes precision, consistency, and quality. Their barista training focuses on steaming the correct amount of fresh, cold milk for each drink. Resteaming contradicts everything the SCA stands for because it sacrifices:
Traditional steam wands create challenges during busy service. The Latte Art Factory offers an innovative alternative with steam-free foaming technology:
Consistent Quality — Perfect velvety microfoam at the touch of a button, preserving milk’s natural sweetness without overheating
Works with Any Milk — Creates ideal texture whether you’re using cow’s milk, soy, oat, or almond
Precise Temperature Control — Settings from 4°C to 75°C enable hot and cold beverages with perfect flavor
Reduces Waste — Portion control cuts milk waste by up to 25%, lowering costs and improving sustainability
Easy for All Staff — Intuitive interface requires minimal training while ensuring consistent results
Quality matters in specialty coffee—from bean selection to milk preparation. Rather than taking shortcuts with resteaming, invest in solutions that deliver consistent excellence. Steam-free foaming technology preserves milk quality while improving speed, reducing waste, and freeing your baristas to focus on customer service and beautiful latte art.
Every cup deserves optimal milk quality. Make it happen.
At Latte Art Factory, innovation has never been about technology for technology’s sake. For Latte Art Factory CEO Sven Keysers, the true purpose of every advancement comes down to one principle: everything begins and ends with the customer’s experience.
Putting People First
Great hospitality is about feelings, not just functions. While our technology delivers precision in foam texture and milk temperature across dairy and plant-based milks, Sven emphasizes that this consistency isn’t the end goal. Instead, it creates the space for baristas to do what they do best — connect with guests, craft memorable drinks, and spark moments of delight.
“Technology should empower, not replace, craftsmanship,” Sven notes. “Our role is to give baristas more freedom to focus on creativity and customer interaction.”
Lessons in Leadership and Innovation
One of Sven’s core leadership philosophies is simple yet powerful: put people before cleverness, and fall in love with the shared problem.
For him, real innovation doesn’t happen through individual brilliance but through collaboration and incremental improvements. Small wins — like delivering consistent milk foam across different milks or introducing cold-foam options for creative cocktails — have a big impact when they solve real challenges for baristas and operators.
Staying Agile in a Global Market
With a presence in more than 60 markets, Latte Art Factory faces complex challenges — from regional power standards to shifting consumer preferences. Sven advocates for a lean, agile approach: observe, pilot, ship, and learn.
This mindset, supported by AI-driven processes, helps the company remain both entrepreneurial and scalable. It ensures LAF delivers not only consistent quality worldwide but also the flexibility to adapt locally.
Expanding the Possibilities of Coffee
Innovation at LAF doesn’t stop at traditional lattes or cappuccinos. By mastering hot and cold foams, the team has opened the door to entirely new beverage formats. From layered nitro cold brews to perfectly frothed Espresso Martinis, the possibilities for creativity in coffee and hospitality are constantly expanding.
Looking Ahead
For Sven and the Latte Art Factory team, the mission remains clear: combine craftsmanship and technology to elevate the coffee experience for everyone involved.
“Innovation is only meaningful when it creates better experiences for both baristas and customers,” Sven says. “That’s the balance we strive for every day.”
Read Sven’s full interview with World Coffee Portal here.
In today’s café environment, hygiene is essential, not just for compliance, but for building trust with customers and ensuring consistent drink quality. Whether using a traditional steam wand, or the Latte Art Factory, the design of the system plays a major role in supporting food safety and operational efficiency.
The Latte Art Factory is the most hygienic milk foaming solution on the market because it automates all cleaning processes, eliminating operator error and ensuring consistent hygiene with minimal effort. Unlike other automated systems that still depend on manual purging, cleaning routines, or staff diligence, the Latte Art Factory features built-in flushes after every drink, automatic daily cleaning cycles with approved agents, and system lockouts if protocols aren’t followed. It is also NSF certified and logs every cleaning action for full traceability and HACCP compliance, making it effortless for staff and worry-free for operators.
Many milk foaming systems follow hygiene best practices through scheduled CIP (clean-in-place) cycles and start-up rinses. These approaches are effective when followed consistently, but typically require manual initiation and tracking. This can introduce variability in daily operations, especially during busy shifts or across multiple users.
Latte Art Factory is designed to reduce variability by automating key hygiene steps:
Automatic water flush after each drink
Timed daily CIP cycles using approved cleaning agents
Built-in system lock if cleaning is overdue
Full digital log of all hygiene activity for easy audit readiness
These features ensure cleaning protocols are not only performed regularly but also fully integrated into the workflow, helping to meet strict food safety standards with ease.
Traditional steam wands are a proven tool in coffee service, but maintaining hygiene depends entirely on manual routines: purging after each use, soaking components, and monitoring residue buildup. Without regular cleaning, milk residue can cool within the wand and become a risk area for microbial growth, particularly during low-volume periods.
While steam sterilizes external surfaces, internal areas may not reach the same level of hygiene without deeper disassembly and cleaning.
| Aspect | Latte Art Factory | Other automated systems | Steam wand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic flush after drinks | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not standard | ❌ Not built-in |
|
CIP enforcement |
✅ System-locked | ❌ Optional/manual | ❌ Manual soak |
| HACCP log availability (meets food safety standards) |
✅ Automatic log | ❌ Manual records | ❌ Manual records |
| Allergen separation (allergy prevention) |
✅ Closed loop system | ⚠️ Depends on setup | ❌ Manual jug handling |
| Workflow integration | ✅ Seamless | ⚠️ Varies | ❌ Fully manual |
| Burn risk | ✅ No steam | ✅ Low | ❌ High (open steam) |
Hygiene in cafés is a shared responsibility between tools, workflows, and people. Systems that automate key cleaning steps reduce operational complexity and support teams in maintaining high hygiene standards throughout the day.
Latte Art Factory makes hygiene simple, consistent, and trackable, so cafés can focus on delivering exceptional drinks with confidence.
Get in touch today to get your own!
That’s not a hypothetical anymore. It’s already happening in Sweden.
By combining Slow Brew coffee concentrate from 3TEMP with milk foaming precision from the Latte Art Factory, this new setup is redefining high-volume coffee service in venues like arenas, event centers, and stadiums.
Löfbergs is a Latte Art Factory partner in Sweden.
The Challenge: Scaling Quality in High-Volume Venues
Espresso machines and baristas remain essential to specialty coffee. But in high-traffic environments, like concert halls or sports arenas, traditional café workflows can become bottlenecks.
Speed, consistency, and ease of use become critical. Training new staff for a traditional setup is time-consuming, and equipment downtime or cleaning demands add operational strain.
That’s where this minimal solution shines.
A Smarter Workflow: Slow Brew + Latte Art Factory
This new system supports baristas in environments where speed and scale matter most.
Here’s how it works:
Result? A smooth workflow that delivers high-quality cappuccinos and lattes, at the push of a button.
No tamping. No steaming wand. No espresso station overload.
The Skagen Pilot
A second long-term test took place at a café in Skagen, Denmark, running from May to October 2023. The setup consistently delivered around 150 drinks per day, mostly lattes and cappuccinos, without requiring trained baristas. Staff received less than half an hour of training, yet maintained quality and consistency throughout the five-month period.
Reliability was another highlight: the system ran without breakdowns, needing only minor recipe adjustments along the way. With drinks priced at about €5.40 for a 33cl cup, the test confirmed that Slow Brew + Latte Art Factory isn’t just a quick fix for events, but a robust solution for everyday high-volume service.
The results confirmed what the Stockholm pilot showed: high-volume, high-quality coffee service doesn’t need traditional espresso stations or intensive workflows. Even with minimal training, staff delivered consistent results day after day, proving the setup is both reliable and scalable.
Proof in the Pour
At another major event in Stockholm, the setup delivered:
Customers praised the drink quality (especially for plant-based options) and operators noted how easy and intuitive the system was to use.
Sustainable, Scalable, and Smart
This system is fast, cost-effective, and sustainable:
30% less milk waste
100x lower idle energy use than traditional espresso machines
Shorter training time for operators
Reduced cleaning and maintenance needs
Consistent drink quality all day long
And it scales beautifully: one centralized brew station can supply multiple Latte Art Factory units across an entire venue.
Extending high-quality coffee service into new spaces where traditional setups don’t make sense, like stadiums, conference halls, and festivals, has been a challenge until now.
For these environments, Slow Brew + Latte Art Factory is proving to be a smart, sustainable, and scalable solution.
Curious how this setup could work in your business?
Let’s talk. The minimal setup future might just be your biggest upgrade yet.
Velo Cafe Huahin is a beloved café in one of Thailand’s top beach towns, which boosts speed, consistency, and sustainability with the help of the Latte Art Factory.
A destination café with a growing reputation
Located in the heart of Hua Hin, one of Thailand’s most popular weekend destinations, Velo Cafe Huahin has built a loyal following among locals and tourists alike. Known as “The Café of Hua Hin,” it’s praised for more than just its beachside charm—it’s a brand rooted in quality, speed, and sustainability. That’s exactly what led the team to discover Latte Art Factory.
Meeting the challenge of volume and consistency
On weekends and holidays, Velo Cafe Huahin can serve up to 600 cups a day—with nearly 80 drinks per hour at peak times. Around 50% of those drinks are milk-based, putting a heavy demand on speed and foam consistency.
“I’ve been looking for a solution that could prepare beverages with just the touch of a button—and I finally found it with LAF,” says owner Nattapon Sarasisang.
Since installing the LAF PRO, the café has transformed its back-of-bar operations. The machine now handles all milk-based beverages—hot and cold—helping the team keep up with demand without sacrificing quality.
Faster workflows, reliable results
Thanks to automated, high-speed milk dispensing, Velo Cafe Huahin can now serve drinks in under 3 minutes.
“It speeds up our service by 20%–30%,” the owner shares. “It really helps us handle our crazy traffic!”
By eliminating manual steaming, the team no longer struggles with inconsistent foam or temperature issues. With Latte Art Factory, every cup is precisely textured and perfectly heated, no matter who’s behind the bar.
– Nattapon, owner of Velo Cafe Huahin
Saving time, labor, and milk
With recipes stored directly in the system, even new staff can deliver drinks like seasoned baristas. That means less training time, smoother onboarding, and more time spent serving customers. Add to that the fact that it delivers consistency of quality, regardless of the barista’s skill level.
Plus, the precise milk dispensing reduces over-pouring and waste—saving on both ingredients and cost.
Built for sustainability
Sustainability is a core value at Velo Cafe Huahin. All drinks are served in recyclable aluminum cans, and Latte Art Factory supports that mission with a fast, hygienic, and low-waste approach. The machine dispenses milk directly into the cans, allowing baristas to multitask efficiently while minimizing environmental impact.
Designed to scale
With rising demand and a strong local following, Velo Cafe Huahin is growing—and Latte Art Factory is helping them scale without compromising service quality.
“The LAF helps increase the performance and speed of the team to prepare a drink. If the shop has limited staff (2-3 people), this would help to deliver drinks during rush hour quickly, so the customer wouldn’t have to wait long,” says Nattapon.
From speed and consistency to sustainability and profitability, Latte Art Factory is proving to be a perfect fit for this thriving café.
This machine was installed by our partner in Thailand, Boncafe Thailand.
Join the cafés around the world upgrading their workflow.
Discover Latte Art Factory and bring consistency to every cup.
At Société, a premium brand family of Excelso Coffee in Indonesia, quality isn’t just a goal—it’s the standard. Known for its elevated café experience, Société focuses on delivering premium beverages with exceptional consistency, no matter the day, the drink, or the barista behind the bar. With three outlets now using the Latte Art Factory, the team has found a solution that doesn’t just ensure perfect milk foam—it also simplifies their workflow and makes baristas’ lives easier, every single day.
“The taste stays consistent every day—it makes our workflow easier and keeps quality high,” says Reza, a barista at Société.
From lattes and flat whites to piccolos and cappuccinos, milk-based beverages are an essential part of Société’s menu. In a premium setting, customers expect the same flawless texture and taste in every cup—and that’s where Latte Art Factory excels.
“Because it’s already set, the taste stays consistent—we just need to execute every day,” Reza adds
Designed to deliver perfectly textured milk foam, hot or cold, dairy or plant-based—at the push of a button, Latte Art Factory ensures that baristas can focus on presentation and customer experience, knowing the quality is already taken care of.
While consistency is key in premium cafés, so is creating a great working environment for the team. For the baristas at Société, Latte Art Factory has made their daily routines simpler and more efficient.
Here’s what they value most:
“It’s easy for baristas to use. The presets make everything simple and fast—and the result is always reliable,” Reza explains.
After introducing Latte Art Factory at one location, Société quickly expanded its use to all three of its outlets, reinforcing the machine’s role in maintaining brand-wide standards. For a premium café concept like Société, that level of reliability and ease of use is key to scaling quality without compromise.
“Latte Art Factory makes my job easier while maintaining the high standards our customers expect,” says Reza.
Reach out today to discover how Latte Art Factory can help your team serve consistently exceptional drinks, simplify workflows, and elevate the entire café experience.
Adds smooth, creamy texture and visual appeal—highly “Instagrammable”.
Attracts trend-seeking consumers and allows premium pricing.
LAF makes cold foam effortless—ready at 4 °C, consistent quality, no extra training.
Classic Creamy Iced Latte – Espresso + cold milk + thick cold foam.
Iced Cappuccino – Espresso base with milk foam topping.
Cold Brew Latte – Rich cold brew finished with layers of foam.
Dreamy Iced Chocolate – Iced chocolate drink with creamy foam.
Signature Creations – Mango Coco Breeze, Toffee Banana Bliss, Salty Caramel Kiss, Golden Elixir.
Instant foam on tap; no manual frothing.
Preset textures/dosages reduce waste and speed service.
No deep barista skills needed; lowers training costs €279–899 per hire.
Market cold foam as premium add‑on.
Charge an extra €0.30 per drink = €900/month more on 1,000 drinks.
Easy to roll out seasonal or signature flavors.
Choose LAF Bar Pro for speed and capacity.
Ensure counter space, power, water, and drainage access.
Program recipes via touchscreen UI.
What’s the return on investment?
Want to expand your cold drink menu and significantly increase revenue? Reach out now and get your personalized quote.
An award-winning, steam-free automatic milk frother designed in Germany with over 30 years of coffee tech expertise.
Two main models: LAF Classic (countertop with built‑in fridge) and LAF Bar (compact dispenser with under‑counter fridge), each available in Pro versions for higher volume outlets.
High-volume coffee shops seeking quicker service and uniform quality.
Cafés aiming to incorporate dairy and plant-based milk drinks.
Businesses looking to reduce waste and operational training time.
Outlets wanting hygienic, low-effort cleaning with compliance built in.
Steamer vs Frother? Automatic milk frothers add air; steamers heat with steam—LAF covers all foam needs (including cold foam) with faster, less energy/water use
Pro versions difference? Pro units: faster (1.6 l/min) and higher throughput compared to standard’s 1.2 l/min
Power & Space? The Classic sits on counters, while Bar’s fridge is hidden; both need water, drainage, internet, 2000 W power, similar footprints
What’s the return on investment?
Ready to elevate your café? Reach out or connect with a certified partner to schedule a demo and explore ROI.
