Setting up a chai and coffee vending station is simpler than most offices expect — one machine covers both drinks, and most of the decisions come down to size, water setup, and how you stock that first order. Here's the actual process, step by step.

What You Actually Need

A vending station comes down to four things: the right machine for your office size, a decision on water setup (portable jug or plumbed in), an initial stock of chai and coffee pouches, and a spot with a nearby outlet and a little counter clearance. No barista, no separate coffee and chai equipment, no ongoing training.

Step 1: Pick the Right Machine for Your Office Size

All three Chai Gold vending machines dispense chai, coffee, and hot chocolate from the same unit — the difference between them is capacity and certification, not what they can serve.

  • 3-Lane Vending Machine — the right fit for teams under 15, up to 240 cups an hour, compact enough for a countertop.
  • Vending Machine with Starter Pack — the same machine bundled with an initial chai and coffee supply, ready to brew the day it arrives. A good fit for growing teams in the 15–50 range.
  • UL Listed 3-Lane Machine — safety-certified for higher foot traffic, built for offices over 50 people, schools, and public-facing spaces.

Machines start around $1,200, with the exact price depending on which one fits your office — current pricing is on the Office Chai & Coffee Supply page. The same machines also show up outside office breakrooms — if you're weighing a vending placement for a gas station or another public space rather than an internal setup, our Vending page covers that side of it.

Step 2: Decide Between Portable and Plumbed In

Every machine runs either way. Portable means a water jug and a standard outlet — plug it in and go, no installation, and it's the simplest option if you're not near existing plumbing. Plumbed in means connecting the machine to a waterline directly, worth the extra step once you're refilling a jug often enough to notice — typically once a team crosses into the 15–50 person range. Neither setup requires a professional installer.

Step 3: Stock Your First Order

Every machine draws from removable canisters, so your first order is really a decision about flavors and volume, not anything technical. Chai Gold's lineup covers traditional Indian-spiced chai and chicory-based South Indian filter coffee, in real-milk-and-sugar and no-added-sugar versions, shipped in bulk 500g pouches sized for exactly this kind of high-turnover setup. Reordering later is just restocking the same canisters — the Bulk 500g collection has the full range.

Step 4: Placement and Setup Day

Pick a spot with a nearby outlet, a little counter clearance for the drip tray, and — if you're plumbing it in — reasonably close access to a water line. Beyond that, setup is mostly unboxing and running the machine's own rinse cycle before the first cup. The removable canisters and built-in hot water rinse system are what keep the machine from clogging with powder buildup over time, so it's worth getting into the habit of a quick rinse between flavor changes from day one.

Step 5: Use the Free Setup Consultation

Every machine order includes a free Machine Setup Consultation, both before and after your purchase, so placement, water setup, and first-order flavor picks don't have to be guesswork on your end. It's worth booking before you buy if you're still deciding between machine sizes.

After Setup: Reordering and Maintenance

Once the machine's running, the only ongoing decision is how often to reorder — that depends entirely on how many cups a day your office is actually pouring. Chai Gold also offers machine maintenance plans matched to usage volume and location, for offices that would rather not think about it at all.

For the complete lineup, current machine pricing, and bulk chai and coffee supply, see the full Office Chai & Coffee Supply program.