Costa Coffee
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DismissCosta Coffee is a coffee shop chain. They specialise in serving Italian coffee.
costa.co.ukRating based on 2,308 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz
About jobs at Costa Coffee
Pay
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Good
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Most people are paid a living wage
Do Costa Coffee pay a living wage?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
68% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 140 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are ÂŁ12.60 per hour, and ÂŁ13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
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Most people are paid market rates
Do Costa Coffee pay market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
68% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 153 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
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Under 18s get paid less than everyone else
Do Costa Coffee pay the same regardless of age?
No, people under the age of 18 get paid less than those above 21.
See what Costa Coffee pays different age groupsHow we know this
The average pay of under 18s is less than those who are over 21.Based on data from 319 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do workers at Costa Coffee get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
89% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 148 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Costa Coffee pay sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
93% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 140 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do workers at Costa Coffee do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
37% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 140 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at Costa Coffee?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 29% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 21% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 25% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 25% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 153 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Okay
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Some people worry about their hours
Do workers at Costa Coffee worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
44% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 149 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do Costa Coffee workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
41% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 147 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for Costa Coffee workers to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
57% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 231 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Costa Coffee?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
73% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 135 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Costa Coffee managers change shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
54% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 136 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Costa Coffee?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
54% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 133 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Good
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Most students say it’s good
Is a Costa Coffee job good for students?
Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
71% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 112 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.
Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working at Costa Coffee good if you’re a parent or carer?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
44% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do people at Costa Coffee feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
71% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 133 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Good
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Most people get proper breaks
Do people at Costa Coffee get proper breaks?
Most people get proper breaks.
How we know this
70% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 138 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at Costa Coffee?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
84% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 149 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do people at Costa Coffee enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
38% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 125 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at Costa Coffee recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
50% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 157 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Costa Coffee?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
51% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 146 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at Costa Coffee?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 56% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 146 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think Costa Coffee head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
80% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 140 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Costa Coffee is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
55% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 143 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2025 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
How Costa Coffee ranks
Costa Coffee ranks joint 13th to work for out of cafés.
- 13= Poundbakery
- 13= Costa Coffee
- 13= Black Sheep Coffee
Rankings are based on Breakroom Ratings for employers with 30 or more Breakroom Quiz responses, accurate as of 23 April 2025.
Pay ranges at Costa Coffee
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ÂŁ8.60-12.50 per hour
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ÂŁ26.4k-37.4k per year
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ÂŁ11.60-12.83 per hour
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ÂŁ25.3k-34.5k per year
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ÂŁ8.89-13.09 per hour
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ÂŁ10.79-12.80 per hour
Costa Coffee job reviews
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Best thing
The team I work with is great and you get to meet great people. My job works well with my lifestyle and the days and hours I need.
Worst thing
HR are so distanced from the store staff that they make policies for things they have no experience with and punish staff for giving feedback. Speaking out to HR is never anonymous. No holiday, sickness or pay benefits for long term staff...Store managers get terrible pay for the long hours they work and forced to go to meetings on their days off...no compassionate leave option for pet loss...When Coca Cola took over it all went downhill...
Barista maestro at Costa Coffee, March 2025
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Best thing
Pay is decent for what job requires
Store managers are good but higher up not sure if they care enoughWorst thing
Other colleagues who put in minimum effort, lack of team effort, apart from managers and BMs no one cares about doing a good job
Barista maestro at Costa Coffee, January 2025
Jobs by location
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21 job openings
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15 job openings
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13 job openings
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73 job openings
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33 job openings
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8 job openings
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39 job openings
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42 job openings
Handy to know
How are people paid?
Based on 157 Costa Coffee employees
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 153 Costa Coffee employees
What contracts are people on?
Based on 144 Costa Coffee employees