Cold brew has become a standard amenity ask — from residents, from leasing teams, from anyone who's toured a competitor's property that had it. But "how much does it cost?" turns out to be a more layered question than it looks.
Here's a breakdown of the three ways properties typically offer cold brew, and what each one actually costs.
Option 1: Keg Service from a Local Roaster
This is the most common first move. A local coffee roaster delivers a keg, installs it in a kegerator, and sends a technician to swap it when it runs out.
The numbers:
- Keg cost: $150–$180 per keg
- Each keg yields roughly 80–100 cups
- Cost per cup: ~$1.75–$2.25
- Technician fee: often bundled, sometimes additional
- Equipment: $200–$500+ to purchase (or a monthly rental)
Beyond the direct cost, there's the operational overhead: coordinating deliveries, managing outages when the keg empties before the next scheduled visit, and the floor space a kegerator demands. When you factor in a delivery schedule that runs on the vendor's timeline, not yours, extended "out of stock" periods are common.
Option 2: Canned Cold Brew
Stocking a mini-fridge with canned cold brew seems simple. And it is — until you do the math.
The numbers:
- Name-brand cans (Chameleon, Stumptown, etc.): $3–$5 per can retail, $2.00–$2.50 in bulk
- No equipment cost
- Requires refrigerator space and regular manual restocking
The experience is also limited. Canned cold brew is shelf-stable — meaning it's not fresh, it's flat, and there's no customization. You're handing someone a can, not an experience. For a leasing office trying to make an impression, that matters.
Option 3: Countertop Concentrate System
A countertop machine uses cold brew concentrate that mixes with filtered water at the moment of pour. The machine aerates the drink on the way out — producing a fresh, foamy result every time.
The numbers:
- Concentrate: $20/gallon, 5-gallon minimum order ($100)
- Each 5-gallon order yields ~80 cups
- Cost per cup: ~$1.25
- Machine: included at no cost
- Technician: never required
Restocking takes 60 seconds and is done by your staff — no vendor coordination, no delivery windows. The machine footprint is 20" × 20" and sits on a countertop.
Side-by-Side
| Keg Service | Canned | Countertop Concentrate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per cup | $1.75–$2.25 | $2.00–$2.50 | ~$1.25 |
| Equipment cost | $200–$500+ | None | Included |
| Technician required | Yes | No | No |
| Freshness | Variable | Shelf-stable | Aerated on demand |
| Customization | None | None | Syrups, foam, wellness add-ons |
The Bottom Line
Countertop concentrate is the lowest cost per cup, the lowest operational overhead, and the best experience of the three options. The only thing it requires is a water line and an outlet — and a 60-second swap when you're running low.
For most leasing offices, it's not a close call.