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A lonely, outdated coffee pot in the corner of the leasing office?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.
