An apparatus, comprising: an input mechanism that is configured to receive requests to produce brewed beverages; a controller that is configured to control the performance of a plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, each of which contributes to the production of a brewed beverage or a component thereof; and a plurality of mechanical components (104, 110, 114), each of which is configured for use during the performance of at least one of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes; wherein in response to receiving a request to produce a specified brewed beverage through the input mechanism, the controller is configured to effect the production of the specified brewed beverage, wherein producing the specified beverage comprises performing one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, and wherein at least one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes can be performed while one of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes is being performed as a contributing process in the production of the specified brewed beverage or another brewed beverage; wherein in effecting the production of the specified brewed beverage, the controller is further configured to determine, dependent on an actual or expected demand for brewed beverages, a time at which to perform one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes; characterized in that in response to determining that the one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes should be performed at a particular time in the future, the controller is further configured to command the movement of a cup containing the specified brewed beverage in a partially completed form to a staging area where the specified brewed beverage is stored until the particular time. an input mechanism that is configured to receive requests to produce brewed beverages; a controller that is configured to control the performance of a plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, each of which contributes to the production of a brewed beverage or a component thereof; and a plurality of mechanical components (104, 110, 114), each of which is configured for use during the performance of at least one of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes; wherein in response to receiving a request to produce a specified brewed beverage through the input mechanism, the controller is configured to effect the production of the specified brewed beverage, wherein producing the specified beverage comprises performing one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, and wherein at least one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes can be performed while one of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes is being performed as a contributing process in the production of the specified brewed beverage or another brewed beverage; wherein in effecting the production of the specified brewed beverage, the controller is further configured to determine, dependent on an actual or expected demand for brewed beverages, a time at which to perform one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes; characterized in that in response to determining that the one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes should be performed at a particular time in the future, the controller is further configured to command the movement of a cup containing the specified brewed beverage in a partially completed form to a staging area where the specified brewed beverage is stored until the particular time.