One of the reasons for the rise of convenience store coffee is the improvement of coffee machines.
While Seven-Eleven's coffee machines previously required customers to choose the size of their coffee when brewing, the machine automatically determines the size and brews the coffee when a cup is placed in the machine.
Improvements have been made to improve service, including adjustment of brewing temperature, precise control over bean grinding, and multilingual touchscreens.
In 2025, FamilyMart introduced the industry's first motor-driven grinder, allowing customers to adjust the grind size to nine different levels.
Furthermore, under the supervision of world-renowned barista Satoshi Kasuya, improvements were made to the pouring of hot water and stirring methods (ensuring that the entire grounds are steamed during brewing) to ensure even brewing.
Lawson's machines use a flat-disc grinder to evenly grind the grounds, reducing uneven brewing and off-flavors.
Furthermore, in 2018, the brewing speed for a small-sized hot coffee was reduced from 45 seconds to 25 seconds, an astonishing increase in speed that shook the industry.
The intense competition among convenience stores in the coffee industry is driving improvements in the performance of coffee machines.
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