• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Submissions
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Feb 2, 2023
  • Startup
    • Creating a Plan
    • Funding a Startup
    • Franchise Center
    • Getting Your Office Ready
    • Making Your Business Official
    • Marketing Your New Business
    • Personal Readiness
  • Run & Grow
    • Customer Service
    • Human Resources
    • Innovation
    • Legal
    • Operations
    • Risk Management
  • Leadership
    • Best Practices
    • Communication
    • Green Initiatives
    • Open Culture
    • Strategic Planning
    • People Skills
  • Sales & Marketing
    • Advertising and Lead Generation
    • Marketing Innovations
    • Marketing Plans
    • Online Marketing
    • Relationships
    • Sales Activities
  • Finance
    • Budgeting and Personal Finance
    • Payments and Collections
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Pricing Strategy
    • Working with Investors
    • Working with Lenders
  • Tech
    • eCommerce
    • Hardware
    • Software
    • Security
    • Tech Reviews
    • Telecom
  • Shop

SmallBizClub

Helping You Succeed

taxbandits banner
Home / Startup / Creating a Plan / How to Open Your Own Cafe or Coffee Shop
How to Open Your Own Cafe or Coffee Shop

How to Open Your Own Cafe or Coffee Shop

2708 Views

May 21, 2014 By SmallBizClub

We have seen a dynamic change on Main Street over the past two years, with retail clothing giants replaced by boutique and independent coffee shops and cafés that mimic those of Italy and France.

This has led many entrepreneurs to start exploring the options of starting their own café or coffee shop in the quest for financial security and career satisfaction.

However, it is crucial to bear in mind that starting up your own café or coffee shop is not a “get rich quick” option, and it takes a lot of physical labor and hard work to get your brand established and recognized.

Get insights from people who have shops you want to own

You do not need to have experience working within the industry, but a little prior knowledge will go a long way.

Click here to read more on a coffee making course in London

There are going to be a few stores you have in mind which you wouldn’t mind owning, so if you want to be in their shoes then you’re going to have to be confident and ask for advice.

Obviously, don’t go running to a store which is going to be your direct competitor. It’s best to approach stores that aren’t in your town or that aren’t in direct competition with you.

If you’re upfront and honest about your ambitions, many coffee shop and café owners will be more than happy to offer up some valuable advice; after all, they’ve been there themselves!

Location is key

Two thirds of coffee customers grab a hot drink while they are out and about, and three quarters of young adults (whether they are customers or not) will buy one spontaneously if they happen to walk past a shop.

This makes location a key element to the success of your business and that means being in a central location with a lot of foot traffic is essential.

However, as you are probably aware, with a central location comes a central price-tag. You’re probably not going to find that dream, big, open space that you have been envisioning, and you may have to make some compromises.

This is the same for café too—a passer-by will find it hard to say “no” to a quick stop off at your café if it is in a busy central location.

Licenses, regulations, laws and insurance

As the owner of your business, you will be held responsible for any flaws within your café or coffee shop and it is therefore important that you do your research.

For best practice, contact your local authority to find out what licenses you need to sell in your local area.

You need to make sure that you are clued in on food preparation standards. There is no law that states that you need to undergo formal training to handle and prepare food; however there are some regulations that you need to follow in relation to contamination, cleaning, chilling, cooking and management.

You also need to look at insurance so that you are covered within; employer’s and public liability, stock and contents, goods in transit, money cover and shop and glass cover.

Catering to a quality-conscious market

Customers are forever concerned with where their food and drink is sourced from and how it gets produced.

You will need to keep the health, environmental and socially-conscious population happy.

Do all the above, and you’re on your way to owning and running your first café!

Bradley LeonardAuthor: Bradley Leonard is a startup enthusiast and has been helping entrepreneurs establish a business and find the right insurance policies to get their businesses off the ground while working at Boothby Taylor.

Filed Under: Creating a Plan Tagged With: Bradley Leonard, Legal Issues, Location, Research, Starting a Business

SmallBizClub

SmallBizClub

SmallBizClub.com is dedicated to providing small businesses and entrepreneurs the information and resources they need to start, run, and grow their businesses. The publication was founded by successful entrepreneur and NFL Hall of Fame QB Fran Tarkenton. We bring you the most insightful thinking from industry leaders, veteran business owners, and fellow entrepreneurs. That means guides to the complex worlds of financing and technology. It means business owners sharing their personal stories—both successes and failures— through articles, video, and most important, answers to your small business questions. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Related Posts

  • When and Why Do You Need Legal Transcription?
  • Why the Midwest is a Great Place to Start a Business
  • after-llc-formation--what-s-the-next-step-7 Things Every Operating Agreement Must Include

Primary Sidebar

Random

4-Step Approach to Determining Emotional Drivers of Satisfaction and Loyalty

Oct 9, 2015 By Bill Hogg

Avoid WordPress Hacks & Security Risks

Oct 22, 2015 By SmallBizClub

Creative Job Titles Help Create and Define Corporate Culture

May 31, 2013 By Shep Hyken

How to Make Yourself Work When You’re Just Not Feeling It

Dec 27, 2016 By SmallBizClub

What Franchise Can I Afford?

Nov 26, 2018 By Robert Steinberger

Footer

About Us

Small Biz Club is the premier destination for small business owners and entrepreneurs. To succeed in business, you have to constantly learn about new things, evaluate what you’re doing, and look for ways to improve—that’s what we’re here to help you do.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 by Tarkenton Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Terms | Privacy