If you think coffee is just a morning ritual, your residents would disagree.

It’s a non-negotiable daily habit, a $100 billion industry, and - if done right - one of the most effective retention tools in multifamily housing. Yet, most properties still treat coffee as an afterthought.

A lonely, outdated coffee pot in the corner of the leasing office? Not cutting it. A premium coffee experience that actually enhances daily life? That’s what today’s residents expect (and this micro influence keeps them renewing their leases 😮).

The numbers prove it:

📊 82% of residents we surveyed call high-quality coffee an essential amenity - ranking it just behind fitness centers.
📊 49% of residents use their community’s coffee station more than package lockers or entertainment spaces.

Daily-use amenities = daily brand engagement = higher lease renewals.

If your community isn’t delivering a premium coffee experience, you’re missing an easy (and highly caffeinated) opportunity to build engagement, connection and retention.

Coffee: The Ultimate Resident Retention Tool

At WithMe, we’ve seen the incredible impact of coffee—not just as an amenity but as a valuable driver of resident retention.

That’s why we teamed up with Metropolis Coffee Company to explore how properties can leverage coffee as a competitive advantage. The result? A compelling  webinar, “The Power of Coffee to Attract, Engage, and Retain Residents.” 

Building on that conversation, we took it a step further and created Brew Better Communities, a comprehensive guide designed to help multifamily professionals enhance resident engagement through premium coffee experiences.

A Sneak Peek at Brew Better Communities

Inside our game-changing e-book, you’ll discover: 

  • The evolution of coffee culture - How shifting expectations have made a basic pot in the leasing office obsolete.
  • Coffee as a retention strategy - A real-world case study on how The Standard Scottsdale increased engagement and renewals.
  • Designing a coffee experience for lasting impact - Actionable tips to strengthen community and drive lease renewals.

Want the full playbook? 

Download “Brew Better Communities” here →

What Makes Coffee an Amenity Worth Investing In?

Multifamily properties invest millions in gyms, pools and lounges, but how often do residents actually use them? Compare that to coffee:

☕ 73% of Americans drink coffee daily

☕ 36% drink 3–5 cups per day

☕ 87% consider themselves “coffee-obsessed”

A fitness center might get used a few times a week. A pool? Only when the weather’s right. But coffee? It’s a daily ritual. The right coffee setup isn’t just about convenience - it’s an opportunity to foster connection, enhance brand perception and create an experience residents don’t want to give up.

3 Ways to Turn Coffee Into a Resident Retention Strategy

The best properties aren’t just offering coffee, they’re creating an experience around it. Here are 3 ways how they're doing it: 

1️⃣ Make Coffee a Social Hub - A well-placed coffee station turns a lobby into a gathering spot, sparking daily conversations and building community.
2️⃣ Host Coffee-Centric Events - A coffee tasting for National Coffee Day, barista-led latte art classes, and coffee education events create memorable experiences that spark engagement.
3️⃣ Offer Premium Options - Craft-roasted beans, barista-quality beverages and touchless brewing stations elevate the experience, signaling high-end living.

Case Study: How Coffee Transformed One Property’s Resident Experience

The Standard Scottsdale, a Greystar-managed, ORA Top 1% property, embraced premium coffee as a way to enhance community engagement.

The results?

✔ 6,598+ cups served - proving coffee is one of the most valued amenities.

✔ 40+ cups per day - a daily-use touchpoint that strengthens brand connection.

✔ 10/10 resident satisfaction - a small upgrade with a massive impact on renewals.

✔ Featured in 5-star resident reviews - when residents talk about coffee, they talk about the living experience that comes with it.

"If they think positively about where they live a few days a week, they’re probably going to stay longer." - Glenn Schoeneck, Property Manager

Coffee creates daily micro-moments that influence renewal decisions. Whether it's a  resident grabbing a cup on the way to work, sharing a morning chat with a neighbor, or enjoying a quiet moment in a cozy lounge, each of these moments adds up. They reinforce a sense of belonging, increase positive associations with the community, and ultimately make residents more likely to stay. A great coffee amenity is a touchpoint that strengthens emotional connections to a place, one cup at a time.

Why Coffee Is the Amenity Your Residents Will Actually Use

The difference between a good community and a great one comes down to the details.

🏡 A well-placed coffee station turns a lobby into a social hub.
👋 It encourages daily interactions that build stronger connections.
🌟 It elevates brand perception - because premium coffee signals premium living.

And unlike a gym or pool (that might collect dust for months), coffee is a guaranteed daily engagement tool.

But here’s the real question: If your property isn’t providing high-quality coffee, your residents are paying for it somewhere else. Whether it’s $5 lattes at Starbucks or K-cups at home, they’re spending money - just not with you.

The question isn’t should you offer coffee. It’sre you making your property the go-to coffee spot?

If not, it’s time to change that.

Get the Full Strategy Inside Brew Better Communities

Learn more about turning coffee into a retention powerhouse? Download the full e-book here.

Because a great cup of coffee, and the community it builds, is a reason to stay.