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MILAN – Marco Zancolò is the CEO of Franke Coffee Systems. We met him at HostMilano 2025, where he gave us this exclusive interview on the occasion of the launch of the New A Line, the new generation of fully automatic coffee machines designed and built entirely in Switzerland.
Over forty years of coffee machine manufacturing: what have been the main technical breakthroughs that have changed production?
“The fully automatic machine has evolved tremendously in recent years. We were among the pioneers of this movement with the launch of the Classic A Line and, even earlier, the FM850, the first to feature a color touchscreen.
That was a real revolution at the time, both in user experience and self-service operation. Later, every company in the industry followed suit.
We then introduced the milk system: automating milk frothing was one of the most important innovations for the development of super-automatic machines.
Since then, we kept innovating and at HostMilano we’re launching the New A Line with a clear focus on in-cup quality.
Our patented iQFlow technology ensures consistent in-cup quality by extracting the full aroma and flavor potential from every coffee bean through intelligent, uniform pressure control during the entire extraction process. PrecisionTemp sets the ideal temperature for every beverage.
We also placed strong emphasis on sustainability. Our new HeatGuard boiler features advanced insulation, reducing energy loss significantly compared with previous models. It’s made using recycled materials, improving both efficiency and environmental footprint.
How did this new project you presented at HostMilano come about?
“We have been working on this project for two and a half years. The Classic A-Line was launched in 2015, and we knew that one day we had to introduce a new product.
Normally, super-automatic machines have a life cycle of 8–10 years. Our first customers were ready for a replacement, and we wanted to offer them something truly new.
So, for the ten-year anniversary, we presented the New A Line at HostMilano 2025.”
Marco Zancolò, what drives baristas and businesses to rely more and more on super-automatic machines?
“The most important factor remains consistency in the cup, which is guaranteed with a super-automatic machine.
With a traditional machine, results depend on the barista’s skills. But skilled professionals are increasingly hard to find.
Since the pandemic, many have left the industry. There is a labor shortage, and super-automatic machines, especially those with interactive touchscreens, make operations easier: once set up, anyone can achieve excellent results.”
Regarding the Italian market: what role does production in Italy play today?
“The Franke Group has a production site in Peschiera del Garda, where we manufacture sinks, and another one in Fabriano, in the Marche region, where we produce Faber hoods.
Then, near Milan, in Baranzate, we have the Dalla Corte factory, where we produce traditional espresso machines.
The Franke fully automatic coffee machines, however, are developed and produced in Aarburg, Switzerland.”
Today, what matters more: design customization or performance?
“Both aspects play a key role. Performance is extremely important because, for operators, the total cost of use is what matters most.
However, if the machine is not aesthetically pleasing, it is not ideal to showcase it in a visible area.
It also depends on the environment: in a service station, design might be less critical; but in a coffee shop, people expect a beautiful machine that conveys professionalism and elegance. That’s exactly what we achieved with Mytico: a combination of reliability, functionality and awarded design.”
How much of Franke’s revenue comes from abroad versus Switzerland?
“We are present in around 80 markets worldwide. For Coffee Systems division, Switzerland accounts for around 5%, while the rest comes from international markets.”
How many models do you produce each year across all machine types?
“Including Dalla Corte, we produce between 40,000 and 50,000 units per year.”
How much do you invest in research and development to stay pioneers in the field?
“Innovation is at the heart of what we do. We launched Mytico two years ago, and for us, staying ahead means continuous investment. We have an R&D team of more than 100 specialists, working on both software and hardware. This shows just how important innovation is for us. Their work ensures that we keep setting new standards in our industry – because if you stop innovating, you quickly become obsolete.”
Marco Zancolò, what are the next challenges for the market?
“The market is becoming increasingly competitive. Many competitors are producing excellent machines. So our priority is to understand the consumer profile well and to work effectively with customers.
A coffee machine is purchased once but used for 8–10 years. Service quality during that time makes the real difference.
If after-sales service works well, the customer will buy from us again; if not, they will probably look elsewhere.
For our Group, quality is essential: not only in the product itself but also in our customer relationships and after-sales service.”
