(SEATTLE – May 18, 2004)  Espresso Specialists, Inc., one of the U.S.’s leading espresso equipment importers, introduces Franke Sinfonia 2-Step with Autosteam™, a high-volume superautomatic espresso machine.  Designed to deliver hundreds of cups each day, Sinfonia produces up to 250 espressos per hour.  Its noteworthy features include programmability up to 34 drinks, two and a half-second grind time for double shots, true triple shot capability, and Americanos at the touch of a button.

With a retail price of $17,340, Sinfonia 2-Step can be purchased exclusively in the U.S. through Espresso Specialists and its network of authorized resellers.  
Certified for electrical and sanitation safety by UL and NSF, respectively, Sinfonia 2-Step will soon have a 1-Step sister product that produces lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of a button.  On 2-Step models, Espresso Specialists’ Autosteam™ steams milk at the touch of a button, shutting off when it reaches the preset temperature.

Sinfonia represents a new direction for Franke’s product family.  Late in 2004, new mid-volume (Evolution) and low-volume (Flair) machines will be introduced in the U.S.  For operations such as high-volume cafes and drive-thrus, a matching set of Sinfonia and Evolution will provide 1,000-drinks per day volume capacity with the redundancy and speed afforded by two superautomatic espresso machines.

Like all espresso machines, Sinfonias require daily cleaning and regular maintenance.  Espresso Specialists recommends a preventative maintenance program, either through ESI or an ESI-trained service provider.  Extended warranties are available on Sinfonia if installation and preventative maintenance are performed by an ESI-approved service provider and if an appropriate water conditioning system, like ESI’s H2O for Espresso™, has been installed.
Espresso Specialists’ direct customers and its 300-plus resellers and service provider partners across the country have eagerly awaited certification for the Sinfonia.  The Swiss-engineered Sinfonia delivers state-of-the-art reliability, serviceability, programmability and modern design in a superautomatic espresso machine.


Founded in 1978, Seattle-based Espresso Specialists, Inc. (ESI) is the exclusive U.S. importer of Franke, La Marzocco, and Rio espresso equipment. ESI tailors equipment and service packages to fit each operator’s brand, market opportunity and operational capabilities.  ESI’s Espresso Program Support features: installation and training; ESI’s Preventative Maintenance (PM) Program; extended warranties; a 1-800 Customer Help Line; coast-to-coast on-site service; and complete parts and cleaning supplies availability for every espresso machine and grinder that ESI carries.  For more information, call 1-800-367-0235 or visit www.esiespresso.com.

Contact:  Kelly Traw, director of marketing, Espresso Specialists, Inc.
206.784.9563, ext 34; kellyt@esiespresso.com