Coffee cart cost calculator

• Wedding

  150 guests · 3 hours · 2 baristas

  $1,064 to $1,787

  $7.09 to $11.91 a guest

  Coffee after dinner or through the reception. Many couples add a signature drink.

  Try it in the calculatorCoffee carts for weddings

• Office

  60 guests · 2 hours · 1 barista

  $701 to $1,178

  $11.68 to $19.63 a guest

  A morning or afternoon break for the team, often on a weekday.

  Try it in the calculatorCoffee carts for offices

• Conference or expo

  300 guests · 6 hours · 2 baristas

  $2,614 to $4,390

  $8.71 to $14.63 a guest

  Coffee at a booth or between sessions, all day. Brands often put their logo on the cart or cups.

  Try it in the calculatorCoffee carts for expos

• Private party

  40 guests · 2 hours · 1 barista

  $510 to $857

  $12.75 to $21.43 a guest

  A birthday, shower or brunch. Most come in at the two-hour minimum.

  Try it in the calculatorCoffee carts for parties

Small events cost more a guest, because the two-hour package is the floor. Above 300 guests, prices vary the most, so treat the last row as a starting point and ask carts for quotes.

One cart has room for 2 baristas, so a third barista usually means a second cart. A short, busy window needs more hands than the same guests spread over the day. A short menu helps too: fewer choices pour faster.

Every cart draws the line in its own place, so ask each one what its quote covers.

Cart in your branding

Your logo or names on the front of the cart, as a sign or a wrap.

Branded cups

Cups or sleeves printed with your logo. Printing takes time, so ask early.

Logo printed on the foam

A printer puts your logo or a photo on the foam of each latte.

Cold brew

Coffee steeped cold overnight and poured over ice. Good for summer and outdoor events.

Drip coffee station

Batch-brewed coffee from urns. Quick to pour, so it helps with a big crowd.

Matcha and specialty tea

Matcha lattes and teas, for guests who skip coffee.

Affogato

A shot of espresso poured over ice cream. Dessert and coffee in one.

Generator, for no power

A generator, for a venue with no outlet near the cart.

Signature drink

A drink made for your event, often named after you or your brand.

Custom syrup flavor

A flavor made for your day, like lavender or a family recipe.

Printed menu

A printed menu on the cart, in your colors or with your names.

Early setup

Setting up well before service, when the venue wants vendors in early.

1. 1Serve at the busy time, not all day

   Two hours after the ceremony or at the morning break is enough for most events. For 100 guests, a standard cart is $880 for two hours and $1,330 for four.

2. 2Skip the espresso for a big crowd

   Drip and cold brew pour faster. In our numbers a cart without espresso costs about 25% less.

3. 3Book a cart near the venue

   Most carts include about 30 miles of travel, so a local cart often has no travel fee.

4. 4Keep the menu short

   A simple cart and a short menu is how value carts price about 20% under the middle of the market.

5. 5Ask three carts

   For the same day, a premium cart can cost about 68% more than a value one. Compare what each includes, not only the total.

1. 1What does the price include, and what costs extra?
2. 2Is travel to my venue included?
3. 3How many baristas will you bring for my guest count?
4. 4How many drinks an hour can you pour?
5. 5What do you need at the venue: power, water, space?
6. 6When do you arrive, and how long does setup take?
7. 7Can you send the venue a certificate of insurance?
8. 8What is the deposit, and what happens if the date moves?

Last updated November 3, 2026