The mobile coffee scene is on the move. As we round up our 2025 season, one thing is clear: the demand for on-the-go, high-quality coffee experiences has evolving – and that includes the booming world of coffee van hire.
At Camper Café, we’ve noticed the following trends in the market, that we expect to continue and develop into 2026:
1. Strong coffee culture and shifting consumption habits
The UK coffee market continues to show resilience. Despite being a tough year for the UK economy as a whole, our love of small, affordable indulgences like a good cup of coffee is keeping the market steady.
For coffee van hire specifically, this means there’s a growing opportunity to bring premium coffee experiences into workplaces, events, educational settings and outdoor venues. Seen less as a luxury, and more of an expectation, the continuing rise of mobile coffee vans on the market demonstrates that demand is still increasing.
2. Growing expectations for premium, differentiated experiences
Consumers in 2025 expect more than just “a coffee”. They expect a wide range of milk alternatives, and there is a growing interest in specialty beans, flavour experimentations (think layering, mixology), and health-oriented options. Match lattes have made a strong resurgence in 2025.
What this means for coffee van hire:
The bar is being raised in terms of quality and barista craft.
Clients want a memorable “experience” not just a transaction.
Menu flexibility and visual appeal (Instagram-friendly drinks) matter.
3. Mobile flexibility becomes a major strength
The traditional café model has its strengths, but a coffee van offers something different: location mobility, agility and the ability to come to your audience. For event organisers and brands, this translates into:
Being able to serve coffee where people gather (events, roadshows, film sets, offices) rather than waiting for them to come to a café.
The ability to customise the setup to the occasion (branding, menu, service hours).
Lower overheads compared to a fixed café – meaning more competitive hire rates and potential for creative offers.
4. Increasing emphasis on sustainability, traceability and wellness
Sustainability is no longer just a “nice to have”. Consumers are more aware of sourcing, environmental impact and wellness offerings in their drinks. But can a coffee van be sustainable? In 2025, the simple answer is that there is better sustainability on the coffee van market. Solar power and engine power serving to reduce the energy requirements on-site.
For coffee van hire this means you should look for:
Suppliers that can utilise alternate energy sources and demonstrate ethical sourcing of beans.
Menu items that respond to health / dietary trends (plant-based milks, low sugar, alternative formats).
Service models that are environmentally aware (reusable cups, eco-packaging).
5. What this means for you when you book a coffee van
If you’re organising an event in 2025 and considering hiring a coffee van (like ours at Camper Café), here are some things to look out for:
Choose a provider that offers all-inclusive coffee van service (van, barista, drinks, service time) so you avoid surprise costs.
Make sure the menu is flexible and aligned with your audience (staff vs customers vs event guests).
Ask about sourcing and service standards: is it truly “premium”?
Consider logistics: location, number of hours, number of people – all impact your experience.
Think about experience beyond just the drink – visuals, brand integration, social media shareability all matter.
6. Why now is a great time to hire a coffee van
The demand for out-of-home coffee experiences remains strong, despite cost pressures.
Mobile coffee vans offer high flexibility, meaning you can take the service to your desired venue.
If done right, the hire of a coffee van becomes not only a refreshment service but a social hub – for staff reward, customer thanks, brand awareness.
At Camper Café we tailor everything – location, hours, menu – to your event, so you get a service built to your brief.
Final thoughts
In 2025 the coffee van hire market is maturing. It’s no longer enough just to turn up with a van and a machine – clients expect a full service that fits their brand, their audience and their vision. At Camper Café we embrace these changes: we focus on quality, flexibility and experience. If you’re planning your next event and want the coffee piece handled seamlessly, we’d love to chat. Contact us.