Property management isn’t just about managing spaces. It’s about fostering environments where residents feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Science has proven there’s a simple, yet powerful way to instantly cultivate connectedness and trust – and it’s physical warmth.
In this blog, we’ll explore a scientific study that sheds light on the link between tactile temperature and feelings of interpersonal warmth (that pleasant, content feeling you get during a positive interaction with someone).
Understanding this connection can be the secret to building stronger multifamily communities - and at the end of this blog, we’ll share one simple trick that can revolutionize your community-building efforts.
The Origins
The concept of “warm” and “cold” personalities dates back to 1946, when researcher Samuel Asch demonstrated the transformational power of using the two terms as personality traits in first impressions.
Simply stated, when you meet someone, your brain almost immediately decides whether that person is warm and friendly, with good intentions, or cold and distant, with negative intentions.
The “warm-cold dimension,” along with competence, are the two main components of a first impression. The warm-cold assessment is the immediate “first pass” as to whether someone is a friend or a foe, and competence is the “second pass” evaluation of whether someone has the capacity to act on the intentions you perceive.
So why do we naturally use terms like "warm" or "cold" to describe people? Asch hinted at something interesting – our brains love drawing from concrete physical experiences to make sense of abstract psychological concepts.
Think about it. When you hold a hot cup of coffee, it feels comforting, right? That physical warmth activates memories of other feelings related to warmth, including trust and comfort. Take formative early experiences with caretakers who provide shelter and safety, for example.
In plain talk, if you've got a toasty beverage in your hand, you're more likely to feel connected and trust the people around you. Conversely, if you're cold, you'll feel more distant and guarded.
The Science
Now, let's delve into the neuroscience of it all.
Research has proven that the insular cortex, a region of the brain, processes both the physical and the psychological versions of warmth information.
To put it simply, the insular cortex is involved in both feeling warm physically and deciding if someone is trustworthy or not. It's like your brain saying, "I feel safe and warm – this person must be okay."
The Study
In 2008, based on Asch’s theories and the knowledge of the insular cortex’s functions, a team of researchers set out to test the hypothesis that tactile experiences of physical warmth activate feelings of interpersonal warmth - and that interpersonal warmth subsequently influences judgments of and behavior toward other people.
In the first experiment, participants who were asked to briefly hold a cup of hot coffee perceived the person who handed it to them as significantly warmer than those who were asked to hold an iced coffee.
The second experiment extended these findings to participants' own behavior. Under the guise of product evaluation, participants were asked to review a hot or cold therapeutic pad. As a reward for their review, participants were given the opportunity to select a gift certificate for themselves or gift one to a friend. Not surprisingly, 54% percent of heating pad evaluators gifted their reward, in comparison to only 25% of cold pad evaluators.
The Opportunities
At this point, you’re probably wondering how any of this relates to multifamily.
But, if you stop to think about it, understanding the immense impact of physical warmth on interpersonal perceptions and behavior can be a true game-changer for property management.
A coffee amenity, the ultimate source of physical warmth, may seem simple and unassuming, but it has the incredible power to build trust and likability in your community.
Want to immediately build rapport and trust with prospective residents? Hand them a warm drink before starting a tour.
Want to help residents build relationships? Host tasting events where everyone has a hot beverage in hand.
Want to generate a positive connection with your on-site team or candidates? Treat them to a warm drink during team-building activities and interviews.
Recognizing the profound influence of physical warmth on interpersonal warmth opens up exciting possibilities for community-building. With the help of coffee amenities like SipWithMe, property management leaders can turn the simple act of sharing coffee into a powerful tool for community development, making properties not just spaces to inhabit but communities to belong to.
Interested in cultivating connectedness with coffee at your property? Learn more about how SipWithMe can help you elevate your resident experience, decrease your operating expenses and build a stronger community.
Multifamily proptech company brings its innovative coffee amenity to the greater Charlotte area, with Summit Coffee serving as exclusive roaster partner.
Chicago - (December 21, 2023) SipWithMe, the innovative bean-to-cup coffee amenity for multifamily, launches in the greater Charlotte area this week. Committed to supporting local roasters, WithMe has selected North Carolina-based Summit Coffee as its exclusive roaster partner in the market.
SipWithMe is not only elevating coffee amenities in apartment communities all across the United States, it’s also helping property managers reduce their operating expenses by up to 60%.
Every SipWithMe machine is stocked with locally sourced beans and can craft more than 20 roast-to-order, barista-quality beverages in seconds. SipWithMe devices in Charlotte will feature three hand-selected Summit blends: Pitch Black, Basecamp, Kilimanjaro. Residents can conveniently order through their electronic devices or on the machine’s HD display.
Designed with the unique needs of property managers in mind, SipWithMe offers proprietary allowance technology to prevent excessive consumption, as well as inventory management assistance and robust live support.
“We are elated to be working with Summit Coffee,” says Jim Carbone, Vice President of Operations for WithMe, Inc., parent company of SipWithMe. “Their mission to create moments of joy through coffee perfectly complements our commitment to create a memorable coffee experience for multifamily residents, and we are thrilled to be able to support a roaster so dedicated to protecting the environment and enacting positive change in communities around the world.”
Founded in 1998 in Davidson, North Carolina, Summit Coffee is an award-winning roaster with more than a dozen cafes across the Southeast United States. They are certified Organic, Climate Neutral and a member of 1% For the Planet. Committed to using their platform to help others, they have implemented myriad campaigns benefitting foundations in their immediate communities and beyond.
“Summit is excited to partner with SipWithMe to bring great coffee to residents across the Charlotte metro area,” says Wholesale Manager Katie Stanley. “We look forward to their growth and to seeing more people enjoy Summit's coffee throughout their partner properties.”
In addition to Charlotte, SipWithMe is currently available in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, South Florida and Washington, D.C.
About Summit Coffee
Based in North Carolina, Summit is an award-winning coffee roaster that prides itself on providing customers with the best version of the coffee that they want. Summit is certified Organic and Climate Neutral, as well as a member of 1% For the Planet.
Summit considers it their purpose to create moments of joy. They aim to offer these moments through their 12+ cafes in the Southeast U.S.; through their dynamic wholesale partnerships, delivering coffee to customers all over the country; and through their intentional impact efforts, where they invest in their local communities and coffee farmers around the world. For more information, visit www.summitcoffee.com.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes people's lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid work spaces, while simultaneously decreasing spend, controlling costs and saving time for staff. PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe, which is now available in major markets, is disrupting the coffee amenity category. WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company, appearing on the list for the past three consecutive years. Learn more at www.withme.com.
The holidays should be a time of joy and excitement, but for those who can’t be with loved ones, they can create feelings of overwhelming loneliness and sadness.
On-site teams have the incredible opportunity to help residents feel the warmth of the season, literally and figuratively, with an unassuming amenity - the coffee machine (bonus points if it’s SipWithMe)!
A holiday coffee and cocoa tasting can be an easy and cost-effective way to generate meaningful resident interaction and create holiday cheer - and we’re here to help you sleigh one with a few tried-and-tested tips from our playbook!
Coffee and cocoa tasting events not only remind residents about your amenity, they also foster meaningful interaction.
And what happens when residents build strong relationships in their building and have access to amenities they truly value? They’re more likely to renew their leases.
This holiday season, treat your residents to holiday warmth and give yourself the gift of increased satisfaction and retention.
Multifamily proptech company brings its innovative coffee amenity to the greater Boston area, with Atomic serving as exclusive roaster partner.
Chicago - (December 5, 2023) SipWithMe officially launches in the greater Boston area this week, offering multifamily properties access to an innovative bean-to-cup amenity featuring locally craft roasted coffee from Atomic Coffee Roasters.
SipWithMe is elevating coffee amenities in apartments across the United States while simultaneously helping multifamily properties reduce their operating expenses by up to 60%. SipWithMe devices are stocked with locally craft roasted coffee beans and can brew more than 20 hot beverages in under 60 seconds. Residents have the ability to customize and order drinks through their electronic devices or using the machine’s built-in HD screen.
All SipWithMe devices in Boston will be stocked with three carefully selected blends from Atomic: Black Velvet, Rocketeer and Cosmo.
“Atomic couldn’t be better suited to be our partner in Boston,” says Jim Carbone, Vice President of Operations for WithMe, Inc., parent company of SipWithMe. “We have worked tirelessly to create a coffee amenity that helps multifamily properties elevate their resident experience, and that mentality is in perfect alignment with Atomic’s commitment to elevating coffee experiences.”
Led by brothers Spencer and Logan Mahoney, Atomic has been a mainstay in the Boston coffee scene since 1996. All of Atomic’s coffee is specialty grade, ethically sourced and roasted to order in small batches.
“We're partnering with SipWithMe after first meeting their team at the 2019 Speciality Coffee Expo here in Boston,” says Logan Mahoney, Atomic’s Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships. “After hearing about their plans for expansion, their focus on coffee quality, and the user-friendly experience, we knew we wanted to be the Greater Boston area roasting partner. The team has been terrific to work with thus far, and we're excited about the opportunities in Boston and beyond.”
In addition to Boston, active SipWithMe markets include Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, South Florida and Washington, D.C.
About Atomic Coffee Roasters
Roasting coffee on Boston's North Shore for over a decade, Atomic Coffee Roasters is a second-generation family business that's on a mission to spread positive energy and elevate coffee experiences. For more information, visit https://www.atomicroastery.com/.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes people's lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid work spaces, while simultaneously decreasing spend, controlling costs and saving time for staff. PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe, which is now available in major markets, is disrupting the coffee amenity category. WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company, appearing on the list for the past three consecutive years. Learn more at www.withme.co.
Atlanta’s own Rev Coffee Roasters will be the multifamily proptech company’s exclusive roaster partner in the market.
Chicago - (November 1, 2023) SipWithMe is now available in the greater Atlanta area, giving multifamily properties access to an innovative bean-to-cup amenity featuring freshly craft roasted coffee from Rev Coffee Roasters.
Since 2021, SipWithMe has been elevating coffee for apartment residents across the United States - while simultaneously reducing operating expenses for multifamily properties by up to 60%. SipWithMe devices feature locally craft roasted coffee beans and can brew more than 20 roast-to-order beverages in under 60 seconds. Residents have the freedom to customize and order drinks through their electronic devices or using the machine’s built-in HD screen.
As SipWithMe’s exclusive roaster partner in Atlanta, Rev will be supplying devices with three hand-selected blends.
“Rev’s obsession with quality is the perfect complement to our core value of customer obsession,” says Jim Carbone, vice president of operations for WithMe, Inc., parent company of SipWithMe. “At SipWithMe, coffee isn’t just a beverage - it’s an experience. Our partnership with Rev is rooted in a shared vision of consistently delivering coffee of impeccable quality and serving a moment of joy in every sip.”
Some say a perfectly roasted batch of coffee does not exist, but Rev has been trying to prove that wrong since 2010. Sourcing, roasting and preparing coffee that pushes the boundaries of exceptional quality is an obsession for Rev.
“At Rev Coffee Roasters, we strive to roast the best coffee you have ever tasted. We do this with personality, NOT attitude,” says Nick Bimmerle, co-owner of Rev. “We're excited to partner with WithMe because we love the idea of anyone being able to enjoy a great cup of coffee. More importantly, a great cup of coffee that is easily made and consistently great!”
SipWithMe installation and service support will be provided locally by Al’s Coffee Services (ACS, LLC), based in Roswell, Georgia. Founded in 2020 by Al Herdandez, a coffee industry expert with over 15 years of experience, Al’s Coffee Services is committed to providing top-notch services with a focus on customer satisfaction.
In addition to Atlanta, active SipWithMe markets include Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, South Florida and Washington, D.C.
About Rev Coffee Roasters
Rev Coffee Roasters was born and raised by a community that doesn't settle for “decent.” Sourcing, roasting and preparing coffee that pushes the boundaries of exceptional quality is an obsession for Rev - so it’s a good thing they have plenty of coffee around to keep themselves at it. Rev’s heavily caffeinated and perfectionist mentality toward coffee is in service to every bar in life that could be raised just a little bit higher. For more information about Rev Coffee Roasters, visit www.revcoffee.com.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes people's lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid work spaces, while simultaneously decreasing spend, controlling costs and saving time for staff. PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe, which is now available in major markets, is disrupting the coffee amenity category. WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company, appearing on the list for the past three consecutive years. Learn more at www.withme.com.
Two years ago, with coffee legend Jim Carbone at the helm, WithMe embarked on a mission to elevate multifamily coffee.
Join us as we take a closer look at our brew-tiful journey!
How It Started
Creating SipWithMe was no small feat.
One of the hallmarks of SipWithMe’s sister amenity solution, PrintWithMe, is pioneering technology that allows multifamily owners and operators to set limits on the number of free prints residents receive each month.
Naturally, we wanted to integrate that same powerful and valuable functionality into our coffee amenity solution, so we we partnered with one of the world's leading bean-to-cup brewer manufacturers to help bring our vision to life. Together, we created a powerful solution tailored to the unique needs of multifamily.
But creating the ideal brewer was just the beginning of our vision. Determined to raise the bar on multifamily coffee even higher, we set out to find a way to deliver multifamily properties the freshest coffee of the highest caliber. Ultimately, we determined the ideal way to do that was to partner with a local vendor in every market.
To do this day, we take great pride in sourcing all of our coffee beans from local craft roasters. Not only do these partnerships help us guarantee quality and freshness, they directly support the communities we serve. Each of our roaster partners plays a pivotal role in ensuring that residents consistently enjoy the finest SipWithMe beverages.
Because our brewers are able to craft more than 20 different beverages, we also had to ensure all additional ingredients matched the caliber of our craft roasted beans. We carefully sourced the most delectable premium cocoa and vanilla flavors on the market, and our real non-fat milk powder froths up so perfectly, it’s like a barista did it.
Our final goal for SipWithMe was to solve the variable cost of multifamily coffee amenities. And we succeeded. The average cost of a coffee amenity ranges anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per month - with many premium programs boasting price tags much greater than that. Our innovative Cup Allowance program offers a cost-effective solution, helping properties reduce their coffee operating expenses by up to 60%.
WithMe is headquartered in Chicago, and Jim lives in the nearby suburbs, so we set our sights on the Windy City for our launch. Jim, the consummate coffee connoisseur, leveraged his strong relationship with Metropolis Coffee Company to bring them on board as our first roaster, and it proved to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
We installed our first machine at Hubbard Place, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, on October 28, 2021.
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
For example, because our machines need to be online constantly, poor cell reception and unreliable Wi-Fi concerns presented significant challenges in the early stages of SipWithMe. Thankfully, we devised solutions that have helped to overcome that hurdle.
No matter what obstacles our team faces, we always work quickly and diligently to find solutions, and we continually look for opportunities to improve and perfect our service.
How It’s Going
Over the past two years, we've achieved remarkable growth. By the close of 2023, we’ll have roughly 200 machines across 15 different cities, with ambitious plans for further expansion. By the close of 2024, we aim to expand our presence to over 25 markets and have more than 400 machines in operation.
We routinely survey our SipWithMe partners, and in 2023, we have earned a “Great” NPS score of 60. We’ve also seen incredible usage rates, with 51.7% of units using SipWithMe at least once per year.
As we celebrate SipWithMe's second anniversary, we look back on the challenges we've conquered, the milestones we've achieved and the vision that propels us forward. Our journey has been marked by innovation, collaboration and the pursuit of excellence. Here's to two years of SipWithMe - and many more to come!
In the world of multifamily coffee, where the art of brewing meets the demands of modern living, one name stands out as the trailblazer of innovation – Jim Carbone.
With an illustrious career spanning multiple decades and multiple businesses, coupled with a deep-rooted passion for the coffee industry, Jim can undoubtedly be dubbed “the most interesting man in multifamily coffee."
Let's delve into Jim's fascinating journey through the world of coffee, from his early days in the vending business to his current role at WithMe, Inc.
Jim's fascination with coffee began at a very young age, and throughout his teenage years, he worked for a family-owned vending business. Captivated by the intricate process of cleaning, filling and maintaining the coffee machines, Jim’s love for coffee only continued to grow, and he spent the first decade of his career in the retail space.
Jim’s enterprising spirit eventually led him out of retail and into the world of owning and operating his own businesses. From a convenience store to an equipment distributorship to an amusement company specializing in video games, Jim tried his hand at a variety of entrepreneurial pursuits.
But he always came back to coffee.
Jim successfully launched three different coffee vending services, but it was his final venture, Tradecraft Outfitters, that cemented his status as an iconic coffee connoisseur.
Tradecraft aimed to revolutionize craft coffee distribution - and ended up taking it to a level previously uncharted. In partnership with the country’s top roasters, Tradecraft distributed a wide array of coffee and beverages to businesses nationwide.
They helped corporations (including Yelp and Google) set up everything from simple coffee programs to full-fledged barista-run coffee bars. They dabbled in hospitality, offering their services to fine dining establishments and cafes. They were instrumental in opening hundreds of cafes and coffee shops across the United States.
With Jim at the helm, Tradecraft ended up being so wildly successful, it sold to UK-based Compass Group, the largest food service company in the world. Jim remained involved as the National VP of Business Development until he retired in 2020. The company is still going strong to this day.
Jim’s retirement was short-lived. In 2021, he was coaxed back into the coffee world by Jonathan Treble to embark on a new venture - SipWithMe.
So, what led Jim to dive back into the coffee world with SipWithMe? It gave him the opportunity to use his extensive entrepreneurial experience and carefully cultivated industry relationships to create something truly unique for the multifamily industry. SipWithMe aimed to transform the coffee experience for residents, providing a sense of excitement and delight every morning.
The most rewarding aspect of multifamily coffee, according to Jim, is the enthusiasm people have for their daily cup of joe. SipWithMe brings an elevated coffee experience to residents, making that daily ritual even more enjoyable.
When asked about his favorite SipWithMe beverage, Jim admitted that he starts his day with a good, strong cup of black coffee, but after a few cups, he likes to indulge in a vanilla coffee – a testament to the quality and variety that SipWithMe offers.
Jim Carbone's journey in the coffee world exemplifies the power of passion, innovation and a strong commitment to providing people with an exceptional coffee experience. With SipWithMe, he is not only making mornings brighter, but he’s also shaping the future of multifamily coffee for communities across the United States.
Jim Carbone is, without a doubt, a true coffee connoisseur and the most interesting man in multifamily coffee.
Coffee.
It's the comforting ritual that gets the day started. It's the complement to conversation. It's warmth on a cold day.
It's a beloved beverage that deserves to be celebrated.
And that's exactly what happens each year on September 29.
How It Started
National Coffee Day celebrations are rumored to have started in 2005. However, it wasn't until 2009, when the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans declared September 29 as National Coffee Day, that it started gaining recognition as a "holiday."
How It's Going
Though originally created to kick off the inaugural New Orleans Coffee Festival, National Coffee Day has since evolved into a celebration observed and embraced by coffee lovers nationwide.
Considering the United States consumes more coffee than any other country in the world, and drinking it became something of a patriotic duty after the Boston Tea Party, it only seems fitting that we have our own day to celebrate. The rest of the globe salutes their love for java on International Coffee Day, observed October 1.
How to Celebrate
Want to mark the occasion with more than just an average cup of joe? There are a whole latte different ways to espresso your love for coffee (sorry, we couldn't resist...).
☕️ Head to a SipWithMe machine and customize your favorite beverage!
☕️ Surprise a friend, family member or co-worker with their favorite coffee drink.
☕️ Support a local coffee roaster by purchasing a bag of their beans to enjoy at home.
☕️ Meet up with a friend at your favorite coffee shop to enjoy a handcrafted beverage and meaningful conversation.
☕️ Try something new! Get out of your coffee rut and try a new blend or a new type of coffee-based beverage.
☕️ Give your coffee amenity a jolt by upgrading to SipWithMe! Drop us a line, and you could be drinking barista-quality coffee every day of the year!
Coffee Holidays
Did you know there are multiple opportunities to celebrate coffee throughout the year? Here are a few of our favorites:
September 29: National Mocha Day
October 1: International Coffee Day
October 7: National Frappe Day
October 28: SipWithMe's Birthday
November 8: National Cappuccino Day
November 23: National Espresso Day
December 3: National Peppermint Latte Day
December 15: National Gingerbread Latte Day
If you want to plan ahead for next year...
January 20: National Coffee Break Day
January 25: Irish Coffee Day
February 11: National Latte Day
April 20: National Cold Brew Day
July 26: National Coffee Milkshake Day
August: National Coffee Month
September 6: National Coffee Ice Cream Day
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for celebratory recipes throughout the year!
Coffee Fun Facts
A fun fact about these fun facts? They're all featured on the HD displays built into our SipWithMe devices.
☕️ Coffee is created from the roasted and ground seeds of the fruit of a coffee tree - Coffea - which grows in tropical climates all around the world.
☕️ Legend has it that Kaldi, a 9th century goat herder, first discovered coffee in a forest in Ethiopia, when he noticed his goats were extra energized after eating mysterious beans. However, it wasn't until the 1700s that the beverage started to spread worldwide.
☕️ Coffee trees take 2-5 years to mature before being able to produce coffee cherries. The slow development of the plant leads to a richer and more developed taste in each cup of coffee. Once the cherries are ripened, farmers will harvest around 1-1.5 pounds of coffee per tree (annually).
☕️ Most coffee producing companies are found near the Equator, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, where there is continuous rainfall. This area is known as the "Coffee Belt."
☕️ There are 2 main types of coffee: arabica and robusta. Though there are hundreds of species of coffee plants, arabica and robusta are the most used commercially. Arabica is sweeter, with higher acidity, featuring complex aromas and flavors. Robusta is smaller, has a higher caffeine content and features an intense, full-bodied taste.
☕️ Coffee drinkers tend to live longer! Studies have shown that people who drink coffee in moderation have a longer lifespan, plus a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 Diabetes and Parkinson's.
☕️ Espresso means "pressed out" in Italian. Espresso is traditionally made by pressing coffee grounds very tightly and forcing boiling water through the packed grounds.
☕️ Coffee is one of the most traded commodities in the world, followed closely by oil.
☕️ Coffee has more flavors than wine. Coffee has about 1,500 aromatic characteristics, while wine only has 200.
Let's all raise our mugs high to celebrate the joy and connection coffee brings to our lives. Happy National Coffee Day!
Multifamily proptech company has hand-selected Fontana Coffee & Tea to be its exclusive roaster partner in the Orlando and Tampa markets.
Chicago - (September 21, 2023) SipWithMe is now available in Orlando and Tampa, enabling multifamily properties to provide residents a bean-to-cup amenity featuring locally roasted coffee beverages from Fontana Coffee & Tea.
SipWithMe has been elevating resident coffee in properties across the country since 2021. SipWithMe devices feature locally sourced, craft roasted coffee beans and can brew more than 20 roast-to-order beverages, each ready in under 60 seconds. Residents have the ability to customize and order drinks through their electronic devices or using the machine’s built-in HD screen.
As SipWithMe’s exclusive roaster partner, Fontana will be supplying devices in Orlando and Tampa with three different hand-selected blends.
“Fontana Coffee & Tea’s dedication to quality control and product consistency will ensure our devices are always dispensing the barista-quality beverages for which we are known,” says Jim Carbone, vice president of operations for WithMe, Inc., parent company of SipWithMe. “Additionally, the urgency and great care with which they deliver their products will help us fulfill our commitment to offer our partners expert inventory management and support.”
Fontana Coffee & Tea sources its beans from the top 1% of estate coffee farms owned by the farmers themselves. Because they are focused on quality at every level, they support growers, customers and everyone else along the chain by conforming to standards that promote fair trade and economic opportunity for all. As a weekly ritual, they do cupping to taste for nuances in the coffees and to identify the rich, ideal roast. This helps ensure high levels of roast quality.
“We are excited to see the growth in this partnership and to have the opportunity to serve our freshly roasted coffee throughout Orlando and Tampa,” says Alex Urbina, Fontana Coffee & Tea’s director of operations. “We are local to Orlando and always eager and happy to serve our products locally. We are always looking to support partnerships that offer innovative and new business concepts, and we are excited to learn and grow together!”
In addition to Orlando and Tampa, active SipWithMe markets include Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, South Florida and Washington, D.C. Additional target markets for 2023 include Raleigh and San Diego.
About Fontana Coffee & Tea
Fontana Coffee & Tea takes pride in serving specialty grade, high-quality freshly roasted coffee. Their coffees are roasted and packaged in-house daily and hand delivered to customers with urgency and customer care at the forefront to keep business flowing smoothly. Fontana takes pride in extensive quality control and consistency with their products, with the goal of creating coffees that keep customers coming back. For more information about Fontana Coffee & Tea, visit www.drinkgetroastedcoffee.com.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes people's lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid work spaces, while simultaneously decreasing spend, controlling costs and saving time for staff. PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe, which is now available in major markets, is disrupting the coffee amenity category. WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company, appearing on the list for the past three years. Learn more at www.withme.com.
At WithMe, one of our core values is customer obsession. We routinely survey our clients to gather feedback about their experience and satisfaction with our resident coffee amenity, SipWithMe.
Our latest survey was completed by multifamily professionals representing properties all across the United States. We asked participants to tell us which aspects of SipWithMe they find most valuable - and why. Here are the top five answers, accompanied by candid feedback.
SipWithMe is hassle-free for residents and on-site teams. Residents can quickly customize and order beverages on their electronic devices or the machine's built-in HD screen. On-site teams are thoroughly trained on simple maintenance procedures to keep the device operating efficiently, and supplies can be ordered directly through the machine. Plus, if anything goes wrong, live support is available 7 days a week.
“The machine is better, and the quality of the coffee is better. It’s a nicer experience visually and way more user-friendly. We can count on SipWithMe if something goes wrong, which was not the experience I had with prior companies.” -Allison Kolman, Bozzuto
SipWithMe partners with a local craft roaster in every market to ensure devices are always stocked with fresh, high-quality beans and consistently dispensing barista-quality beverages. Coffee lovers can choose from a wide variety of options ranging from traditional black coffee to velvety lattes, while those not looking for a caffeine buzz can opt for decaf or decadent hot chocolate. It's an amenity with something for everyone.
"Our residents love the new SipWithMe coffee and machine. I have received multiple compliments on the variety of brews they can select from, how easy the machine is to use, and the flavor of the coffee. The team here is very impressed with the machine and the quality of the coffee!” -Sherry Haney, Security Properties Residential
Residents love free coffee - but some of them also love to take advantage of it. SipWithMe's proprietary Cup Allowance technology gives property managers the unique ability to select the number of free cups each resident receives each month, helping to control costs and usage.
“We were seeing expenses in some of the buildings where it was, at the height of it, $8,000 a month in coffee supplies. That's a massive number. So if you can trim down and set a flat number for that, your investors are so much happier with you. You're forward thinking.” -Juan Mendoza, Peak Properties
Budgeting for coffee amenities, particularly DIY setups, can be exasperating. With no way to control usage, wild variances and skyrocketing costs are all too common. SipWithMe helps property managers regain control of their coffee amenities. Packages are all-inclusive, completely taking the guesswork out of budgeting.
"I value the ability to successfully manage my budget due to the static cost." -Jeff Holmes, Bozzuto
SipWithMe's clean lines and glossy black finish were designed to complement even the most well-appointed, high-end spaces. A stunning HD video screen, customizable LED lighting, and transparent coffee bean hoppers create a magnificent visual display that delights residents.
"It's snazzy and cool." -Nicole Gibson, Morgan Group
Multifamily property owners are always on the lookout for ways to stand out and attract more residents, and with rising rent prices (and the rising cost of living in general), innovation is crucial.
One trend that's gaining traction is the addition of high-quality amenities that not only add value but also enhance the living experience. In today’s competitive market, owning a property is so much more than just offering a place to live. You've got to create a community and lifestyle that residents want to be a part of.
Integrating amenities such as SipWithMe cultivates an environment where residents feel at home, engaged, and taken care of. This shift towards more lifestyle-oriented amenities reflects the evolving expectations of residents who are looking for convenience, quality, and a touch of luxury in their living spaces.
Coffee is much more than just a morning ritual or a midday pick-me-up. A cup a day is a ritual for many, and coffee is a universally loved beverage that brings people together.
Implementing a coffee amenity for multifamily properties brings moments of connection and community.
With SipWithMe, residents have access to a high-quality, self-serve coffee station right within their living complex, making it easier than ever to grab a cup of their favorite brew.
This amenity encourages residents to gather, share conversations, and strengthen community ties, all over a delicious cup of coffee. It's a simple yet incredibly effective way to foster a sense of belonging and togetherness among residents.
Aside from its ability to bring people together, coffee boasts numerous health benefits that are sure to appeal to your residents.
Coffee is rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients, contributing to overall health and well-being. Regular coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of several diseases, including Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. It also enhances mental alertness and improves mood, making it a fantastic way to start the day or get through a sluggish afternoon.
Want to learn more about how coffee can save lives? Check out our blog post!
We often think that receiving a treat has to include some kind of trade-off, because normally it does. You want a fancy car? It'll cost a pretty penny. Want a hotel with a great view? You'll probably have to pay up. It's natural to think that adding an elevated amenity like SipWithMe would require rent prices to increase, and the last thing property managers want to do is drive away residents.
But that isn't true! SipWithMe was designed to treat your residents to convenient, barista-quality without sacrificing affordability. In fact, SipWithMe can actually help you save money in the long run! With all-inclusive monthly pricing and customizable cup allowance packages, property managers have more control over their budgets and can better manage expenses. The added convenience of a self-serve coffee station can even help increase revenue over time, commanding the attention of prospective residents.
Click here to learn more!