What to Consider Before Starting a Coffee Shop

Hospitality is one of the toughest industries in which to be successful. The work is typically hard, with long hours. There is also enormous competition, particularly when it comes to the coffee market. So to be successful, you have to be able to stand out from the many, many coffee shops already in the marketplace.

This is why you need to keep your points of difference at the forefront of your planning from the outset – from your coffee blend right through to your menu, takeaway packaging, coffee cups and your location.

Coffee

People are fiercely loyal about their coffee. It’s not just about where it’s most convenient to buy a coffee – it’s all about the blend, the consistency of the brew and often, their relationship with the barista.

Do your homework. Research other venues in the area you’re planning to locate your establishment, and try their coffees. Then source a blend for your place that is distinctive and different, but that will still appeal to a broad base of customers.

Perhaps consider different blends for different styles of coffee so that you can appeal to the real aficionados. When you buy coffee cups – particularly takeaway cups – opt for those that offer the most insulating quality so that the coffee stays hot for as long as possible.

Wholesale Take Away Coffee Packaging

Customise your coffee cups and other takeaway packaging.

No doubt your coffee supplier can add in cups that are custom designed for their business. But if you want to be aggressive about your marketing, then your takeaway cups can carry the logo of your own business – one of the most cost-effective forms of passive advertising there is.

Also consider on-selling the beans you use in the café, so that your regular customers can have your coffee at home. It’s another opportunity to generate revenue, and it’s also a way of cementing that loyalty to your coffee shop.

Location

Scout locations. If you’re intending a CBD location, or one central to a shopping hub, look for sites where you can catch the maximum passing traffic. If you’re opening up in a new place that’s not so central, make sure that you are in an area where parking is easy, and where you can get permits for outdoor seating as well.

Menu

Like your coffee, your menu needs to offer a point of difference to the menus in other nearby establishments, otherwise, why should people come to you over them? Keep it simple and seasonal. If you have the kitchen space and a budget for staff that allows this, think about doing your own onsite baking, rather than ordering in your cakes and biscuits. Offer regular specials that will entice people to come and see what’s available on any given day.

All businesses require good advance preparation and hard work in order to succeed. Hospitality requires that and more – you need to have a passion for food and coffee, or you’ll find that all the hard work isn’t worth it. So, do your groundwork, source staff who have that passion and commitment, and go for quality!