Experience Commercial Beverage Innovation at the MIK

Coffee consumption is on the rise. According to the National Coffee Association*, more than 65% of Americans drank coffee in the past day. That’s the highest level in two decades and more than any other beverage type. At the same time, alcohol-free options like nitro brews, kombuchas, and cold-pressed juices are gaining popularity across every segment, from chain restaurants to college campuses.

With more consumers expecting creative, barista-level experiences in non-traditional venues (and with operators under pressure to diversify menus without increasing labor), it’s clear: the right commercial beverage equipment can shape your success. But how do you choose the right solution in a market overflowing with choices?

That’s where Middleby Innovation Kitchens (MIK) can provide great value for operators seeking the right commercial beverage innovations.

A Fully Immersive Food and Commercial Beverage Innovation Experience

Located just outside Dallas, the MIK offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to test-drive a full range of commercial kitchen equipment, including a robust lineup of commercial beverage innovations. With 40+ active kitchen suites under one roof, the MIK is designed to replicate the challenges and possibilities of real-world operations across nearly every foodservice segment.

Whether you operate a convenience store, manage a fine dining program, or support university dining, seeing equipment in action helps reveal how it performs under your specific use cases, which is something spec sheets alone can’t provide.

This hands-on approach is especially important with beverage innovation, where output, consistency, maintenance, and customer experience all impact profitability.

A Deep Dive into Beverage Innovation at the MIK

At the MIK, two unique beverage-focused suites allow visitors to explore, compare, and customize solutions that meet their brand’s goals, from volume and speed to specialty offerings.

The Beverage Suite: Craft, Chill, Pour, Repeat

The beverage category is one of the most dynamic areas in foodservice today, encompassing everything from premium coffee and cold brews to frozen treats, custom carbonated drinks, and innovative non-alcoholic options. Middleby’s curated portfolio of beverage brands equips operators to stay ahead of consumer trends while optimizing efficiency, quality, and profit potential across every type of venue.

Taylor delivers frozen beverage and soft serve equipment that is ideal for boosting check averages and supporting seasonal LTOs. Icetro offers versatile ice, frozen beverage, and soft serve equipment designed to support beverage variety and operational efficiency across all service models. Follett provides high-capacity ice and dispensing systems essential for operational consistency and speed in high-volume environments. For the ever-growing demand for specialty coffee, Concordia offers automated self-service barista-quality beverage solutions, while Synesso offers ultimate control and precision for any world-class coffee program. Deutsche Beverage + Process offers equipment to produce high-quality coffee at scale. Whether integrating a coffee program into a taproom or scaling a ready-to-drink offering, our equipment ensures efficiency, flavor consistency, and flexibility for hot or cold beverage formats. Meanwhile, Wunder-Bar and SkyFlo streamline beverage dispensing and inventory control with systems that prioritize portion accuracy, reduce waste, and deliver consistent guest experiences.

This comprehensive beverage suite empowers operators to create signature drink programs, tap into new revenue streams, and meet growing consumer expectations, all while reducing the burden on staff. Whether you’re building out a drive-thru coffee concept, refreshing your convenience store’s beverage wall, or enhancing a full-service restaurant’s bar experience, Middleby’s lineup has a solution tailored to your goals.

The Brewing Suite: From Grain to Glass

The rise of craft beer and on-premise brewing is transforming how foodservice operators think about their beverage programs. What was once reserved for standalone breweries is now a viable option for a wide range of operations looking to add signature brews, differentiate their offerings, and enhance the customer experience.

At the Middleby Innovation Kitchens, the brewing suite allows operators to bring these ideas to life. Ss Brewtech delivers professional-grade systems that make small-batch brewing both accessible and scalable, which is ideal for first-time brewers or operations looking to add exclusive taps. Deutsche Beverage + Process powers the suite with fully functional 1-barrel and 3.5-barrel brewing systems, complete with fermenters and brite tanks, allowing teams to simulate a real-world brewing process from grain to glass. This suite lets you test recipes, refine production processes, and envision the culinary and branding opportunities that in-house brewing makes possible.

Let’s Brew the Future Together

Beverage trends are evolving rapidly. From hot and cold coffee to frozen drinks, fresh beer to precision pouring, customer expectations are high, but so are opportunities for operators. Middleby’s beverage and brewing suites give you the tools to stay ahead, innovate faster, and build a profitable program that’s made to scale.

Sources:

* National Coffee Association