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Aarburg, Schweizsince 1911Coffee Systems

Franke

Franke ist Teil der Franke-Gruppe und führender Anbieter im Premium-Segment. Die Coffee-Systems-Sparte fertigt in Aarburg vollautomatische Kaffeemaschinen für anspruchsvolle Standorte. Hervorzuheben ist das FoamMaster-Milchsystem mit konstant hoher Schaumqualität.

4 tested models38 Branches9 countries

Tested models by Franke

  • Franke A200 / A300

    Franke · Hot Drink Machines

    Franke A200 / A300

    8.0Very good

    With the Franke A200 and A300 series, the Swiss manufacturer clearly targets small to medium-sized locations with 60 to 120 employees or approximately 100 to 120 cups per day. The machine combines an 8-inch touchscreen, automatic cleaning system (EasyClean) and flexible positioning options (water tank or mains water) in a compact cabinet measuring at least 270 × 465 × 587 mm. Users can rely on solid construction, intuitive operation and espresso throughput of up to 163 cups per hour. Realistically recommended daily output, however, falls below peak laboratory capacity, as weekly cleaning cycles and operator availability limit performance. Weaknesses emerge in high capital costs from €4,675 net per unit and comparatively expensive original consumables. Serviceability is assured, provided the service partner is accessible. Locations with frequently changing users, low coffee expertise or specialised barista requirements lack customisation options and modular upgrades. Return on investment is demonstrable for offices from approximately 80 cups per day; below that threshold, deployment rarely makes financial sense.

    ca. 4,675 – 5,288 €

  • Franke A600

    Franke · Hot Drink Machines

    Franke A600

    8.7Very good

    The Franke A600 positions itself as a versatile fully automatic coffee machine for demanding offices, canteens and large sites with daily demand of up to 200 cups. Through its 10.4-inch touchscreen, modular brew groups and a powerful milk system, the machine is designed for both attended dispensing and pure self-service. Businesses with 60 to 200 employees particularly benefit from the high hourly throughput (e.g. 240 espressos/hour) and central fleet management via FrankeConnect. Weaknesses lie in non-publicly accessible purchase prices in Germany for the new generation and in the complexity of cleaning with IndividualMilk or CleanMaster variants. The investment pays off for locations with a broad hot beverage range, high dispensing frequency and digitalized administration. In used condition, a classic A600 is available from approximately 4,000 € net; for the current generation, German dealers do not quote list prices. The range stated here of approximately 9,700 to 10,800 € comes from two British dealers, applies to the classic A600 and has been converted at the ECB reference rate. Lower total cost of ownership results primarily through central control and reduced downtime during malfunctions or service.

    ca. 8,500 – 10,809 €

  • Franke A400

    Franke · Hot Drink Machines

    Franke A400

    8.3Very good

    The Franke A400 positions itself as a fully automatic coffee machine for medium commercial locations requiring up to 100 cups daily. Its CleanMaster system shortens daily cleaning to approximately 9 minutes and reduces manual effort to a minimum—a core argument for offices with 30 to 100 staff, cafes and self-service hotels. The FoamMaster variant delivers barista-level milk foam without requiring specially trained personnel. Capacity remains stable for constant use below the 100-cup threshold; sustained throughput beyond this level stresses grinding mechanisms and brew groups, shortening their operational life. Drawbacks include high acquisition costs in full configuration (up to €10,500) and regular service expenses. The Franke A400 amortizes within several years at high-traffic sites, provided that cleaning effort, service intervals and repair outages are factored into total cost of ownership. For sites requiring 120+ cups daily, upgrading to the larger A600 is recommended.

    ca. 4,500 – 10,550 €

  • Franke A800

    Franke · Hot Drink Machines

    Franke A800

    8.6Very good

    The Franke A800 sets a new standard as a modularly configurable professional fully automatic coffee machine for sites serving approximately 100 to 250 users. Three independently controlled boilers deliver coffee, milk and hot water simultaneously—enabling large offices, hospitals and retail outlets to achieve up to 250 vends per day during peak hours. A 10.4-inch touchscreen and remote maintenance via FrankeConnect streamline operation and service, while the brew module capable of handling up to 29 g of coffee and the ultrasonic-controlled FoamMaster milk system deliver espresso-bar quality even at high throughput. The investment of €12,330 to €15,020 net (depending on configuration) becomes economical where high volumes of specialty coffee drinks are required daily and labour costs for machine operation are to be minimised. Weaknesses include high electrical demand (7.4–8.8 kW connected load) and technician-dependent initial setup. For sites with highly variable user numbers or small headcounts, the machine is oversized. Overall, the A800 offers operators a low-maintenance, future-proof system that becomes economically viable at approximately 120 cups per day.

    ca. 12,330 – 15,021 €