The year of 2020 (yes, we mentioned it) was undoubtedly a year of adversity, uncertainty, and business challenges. However, it was also the year of birth and expansion of new, innovative businesses. In today’s face-paced world, where convenience and quality are paramount, mobile services have emerged as a delightful trend, catering to the cravings of coffee enthusiasts on the go. From caffeine deprived commuters to event organisers seeking a unique business, mobile coffee is revolutionising how we enjoy our favourite brew.

Mobile coffee services bring the café experience directly to their customers. The convenience and unique experience of enjoying a cup of coffee while on the go has proven to be a hit among coffee lovers everywhere.Mobile coffee services are not confined to one place, they’re also making appearances at various events. Whether it’s a corporate conference, a wedding reception or a music festival, mobile coffee adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness.

We interviewed three of our mobile coffee wholesale partners to give you an insight into what it’s like working within the mobile coffee industry.

Boyo Barista

Boyo Barista – Wales’ Travelling Coffee Shop/Caffi Coffi Deithiol Cymru

Tell us about yourself, your career background, and your transition into the mobile coffee world…

Boyo Barista is a small, independent business established in 2022 by partners Rhys and Steph. Rhys previously worked as a woodwork instructor in a production workshop and provided vocational skills and work experience to adults with learning disabilities. Steph is currently a primary school teacher, has run small craft businesses of her own and currently works with Rhys at Boyo Barista on the weekends.

How did your journey into the mobile coffee world begin?

Our transition into the mobile coffee world began with a love of coffee and a coastal walk with our Cornish family in 2021. We were introduced to a friend of theirs who’d started his own mobile coffee business – post lockdown. Zinn’s Coffee van set-up and coastal backdrop was the spark that ignited our mobile coffee journey! We recommend a visit to Zinn’s if you’re ever in South-East Cornwall; it’s our favourite place to grab a coffee!

What can we expect when visiting Boyo Barista?

Boyo Barista is a small teardrop caravan, fitted with a two-group Sanremo Zoe espresso machine. The Zoe is a compact machine that can cater for high volumes of quality, specialty coffees. We primarily use Big Dog Coffee’s Brazil, Sao Lucas but we try to change things up and give our customers a variety of single origins for our signature Boyo Barista recipes.

 The Boyo Barista Caravan is suitable for a range of events. Over the past twelve months we’ve loved rolling along to markets, festivals, private functions and recently had the honour of attending a lovely customers’ wedding to serve specialty brews on their big day.

What do you love about having a mobile coffee business?

The best part about running a small business of this nature is getting the opportunity to constantly meet new people and travel to new places. We are still quite new to the coffee and small business game, but the experience so far has been both rewarding and humbling. We’ve learnt so much already about this wonderful cherry and it’s such an exciting time to be a part of the specialty coffee world and coffee culture.

Where can we usually find you?

You can find us at events across South Wales and further afield. You will also be able to find us at Talybont Reservoir in Bannau Brycheiniog from time to time. Keep an eye on our Instagram to find out where we are next, and we hope to see you soon for a cuppa!

 @boyobarista

The Dugout

Tell us about yourself, your career background, and your transition into the mobile coffee world…

My name is Eoin and I am co-owner of The Dugout Café & Bar. During the lockdown of 2021, my brother and I bought a rice horsebox trailer and converted it into a mobile Cafébar. At the time, my full-time job was an electrical engineer and Will was, and still is, a painter and decorator. My goal was to be able to grow the business to the point where I could make it my full-time profession and as of May 2023, this dream became a reality.

We began with a few small events, and gradually started attending weddings, food festivals, and other large-scale functions. We now host our own events that have been a great success in bringing something new to our hometown in Abergavenny. Most recently, we have been serving from a permanent spot at Abergavenny Garden Centre which has been very successful and plans for expansion are in the pipeline.

What can we expect when visiting The Dugout?

At our spot in Abergavenny Garden Centre, we aim to offer a relaxed environment where people can enjoy a great coffee supplied by local coffee roasters, Big Dog Coffee, whilst surrounded by colourful plants and greenery of the garden centre. At The Dugout, we also supply a range of homemade cakes, sandwiches and selection of beers, ciders, wines, and spirits on the bar.

What do you love about having a mobile coffee business?

This coming September will be two years since launching the business, and 4 months of it being my full-time vocation. The transition can be daunting, but I have loved every minute. Personally, I find meeting new people and having more time to spend with friends and family so rewarding. We can support other local businesses being an independent business ourselves and we try to promote independent shops where possible. We have met so many great people along the way and have built up great relationships with both our suppliers and customers.

Where can we usually find you?

You can find us at Abergavenny Garden Centre, Llanfoist.

You can also catch us at various events throughout South Wales such as Abergavenny Food Festival, Taco and Tequila nights, seasonal gatherings, and many more to come over the coming months.

To keep up to date with our next pop-ups, check us out on Instagram and Facebook at @thedugoutbar_

The Good Stuff

Tell us about yourself, your career background, and your transition into the mobile coffee world…

I’m Alex, I’m 27 and from Caldicot, Monmouthshire. Previously, I managed Costa and Starbucks and then I was an area manager for a petrol forecourt retailer. Overseeing brands such as Costa, Subway and Greggs, gave me the want to have my own coffee shop and then more I investigated it I realised that the perfect business for me was a mobile coffee van. I wanted to do a variety of events and serve coffee at different places rather than being in one place every day.

What can we expect when visiting The Good Stuff?

From The Good Stuff you can expect brilliant coffee courtesy of Big Dog Coffee, I’m currently serving ‘Aelin’, their Brazil, Sao Lucas. We sell traybakes and cakes from a bakery in Bristol and we also make fresh fruit smoothies!

How long have you been trading?

I began trading in May 2023.

What do you love about having a mobile coffee business?

I love the variation of my day, I have a permanent pitch however, I also retail at some amazing local and private events such as Porsche, Bad Wolf Studio’s and other local businesses. Once the initial preparation is out of the way for the event it’s really a lot of fun!

Where can we usually find you?

You can usually find me serving The Good Stuff at Severn Storage at Severn Bridge Industrial Estate, Caldicot.

You can also follow ‘The Good Stuff’ on Instagram @thegoodstuffvan

As you can see, mobile coffee trends continue to evolve, driven by the desire to offer consumers convenience, innovation, and a memorable coffee experience. Combined with passion and consumer preference for a quality cup, mobile coffee services are poised to remain a dynamic and exciting part of the coffee industry landscape.