Colleges & Universities

To visitors, the new Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room looks and feels like an upscale java lovers’ theme park. Starbucks execs see the interactive coffee shop and restaurant, just blocks from the company’s original store at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, as “the next generation” of Starbucks.

The purchase of refrigeration, warewashers and prep and cooking equipment takes a sizable chunk out of the budget when opening or remodeling a restaurant. The conundrum facing operators is whether to go with new, used or both.

According to research and consulting firm Technomic, nearly 30 percent of consumers say eating their favorite brunch foods makes a meal more appealing.