What are the first steps I need to take in order to start up my own Coffee house?

Question

I'd like to own and run my own coffee house someday. Where do I start? Is there a good book to get the details on how exactly I do this and what steps I need to take? For example, how do I obtain or choose a location? Where do I choose suppliers? I have not taken any business courses either, so I could use any advice.

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Ultimate Guide to Specialty Retail: How to Start a Cart, Kiosk or Store -- by Patricia Norins
* Start and Run a Coffee Bar by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison
* Coffee Basics: A Quick and Easy Guide by Kevin Knox
* How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark
* ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

You'll need to draw a full business plan first so that how you run your coffee house is drawn out on paper. It takes time, but you will quickly realize what it is really going to take to operate the business (this will either motivate you, or push you on to something else). The next step would be to find some people with the same passion you have to help in getting the shop going. This is a strength in numbers thing and is really important especially if this is your first endeavor. After that, isolating a location will be based on foot traffic, and setting up a meeting with the planning department in your city to make sure your shop will be properly zoned. Starting to network with the people in the city and county building will save you heartache later as these people are valuable sources when it comes to expediting the process of obtaining permits and even appointments with inspectors. Talking with other independent coffee shop owners will save you time, money and possibly save you from some of the mistakes they made before they had it all figured out.

Answer 3

There may be free business planing help in your area if you live in a city, look into this first if applicable. A lot of what makes a business work is common sense. You wouldn't put a coffee house up some back alley no one will see, you would look for a visible space with lots of foot traffic. Near where a lot of people work all day would be a good location. I'm realizing this could go on for a long time explaining details and my dinner was just put on the table. Check Amazon.com for books on starting a small business. Good luck:)

Answer 4

Hey Eric, Choosing what you want to do is never easy. I, for instance, went to University (I'm british) to study History of Art, then changed to English Literature, then changed to Computer Science. Then I dropped out and went back to do Fashion. And now I've dropped out again! I'm now a Marketing Intern and part-time waitress - and I LOVE it. Just try and relax. If there's one thing that I've learned so far in life (I'm 20!!!), it's that despite what everyone says, it is LONG. You are basically still a baby, it's never too late to just try and do something you enjoy. Joining the navy, if you love things like that, might be a good step but what I'd recommend is staying out of things that may just be financially beneficial - if I could go back to being 17, 18 or even 19 - I'd stop worrying about money, and just enjoy being young and do what I wanted. The freedom you get from youth is unbelievable. Have the shop as your 'dream' gives you something to build towards - but you're never going to look this way, have this much energy, life, enthusiasm. Do me and yourself a favour and get a *fun* job (again, unless you have a SUPER passion for the navy) and ride out the recession. Loan initiatives will be rife again when the economy's better. Most importantly - enjoy being a teenager!

Answer 5

I can give my opinion on location and maybe something else ;)

I would choose something near a university or area where there are a lot of business that rely on computer nerds. As career computer nerd myself, I can tell you me and my team walk to the coffee houses several times a day because we all are addicted to caffeine and we like to see the hot chicks that work there who pretend they like us for bigger tips.

The "hot chicks" comment is good segway for another suggestion that I thought of when I was considering opening one myself. Hire good looking guys. Yes, I said guys. Although me and my friends will go where the hot girls work, we typically order the cheaper drinks like black coffee. But the profit is to be had with the girly foo-foo mochachino whipcream type drinks, so you want to attract more women to your coffee house than men. How better to do it with hot flirty guys?

Answer 6

go sit in a starbucks and see how the most successful chain in the world does it and try and get friendly with the manager and they may impart some good tips to you cause you will never put them out of business . Most starbucks managers i have met are really friendly and always come over to where we sit and ask if everything is good and do we need a paper etc .Do not open near one too would be a good idea and try and get near a better educated , upscale area, and remember service , service , service , and you will win .

Answer 7

the newspaper is where to find a location,walmart is a good place to buy supplies,try some internet courses for some knowlegde on business

Answer 8

Starbucks proved that coffee is one hot commodity (literally and figuratively!) that many would-be business owners are planning to start their own coffee shop business. People are making it a habit to visit their favorite coffee shop everyday to get their latte fix.

One important note, though -- this is a business that requires capital and can hardly be started on a $5,000 budget. In fact, according to Bellissimo Coffee Infogroup, http://www.espresso101.com/coffee_faq.html you will need the following amounts to start your coffee shop business:


Coffee Cart: Usual start-up cost is $20,000–$25,000 to open and stock.

Kiosk: Depending on the size and what menu items are offered, it will usually cost between $50,000–$60,000.

Coffee Drive-Thru: The cost of opening a drive-thru espresso business operation can vary dramatically, from the the very small units for less than $30,000 to anywhere between $80,000–$180,000 depending on how the shop looks.

Sit Down: The cost of opening a sit-down coffee shop is comparable to the cost of opening an upscale drive-thru. Start-up costs for most 1200 sq. ft. coffee bars average $150,000 to $300,000.

You may want to read the following articles:

So, You Wanna Open a Coffee Shop http://www.restaurantreport.com/Departments/c_coffeeshop.html
EspressoBusiness.com (has a nice section on what to avoid in terms of coffee shop business) http://www.EspressoBusiness.com
Links to various resources on starting a coffee business http://www.aboutcoffee.net/linkster/linkster.php?CID=9
Coffee Shop Sample Business Plan (free) http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/business-plans/Business-Plans-Volume-04/Coffee-House.html

For in-depth information, you may want to read the following books:

Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting and Running a Coffee Bar (The Complete Idiot's Guide)by Linda Formichelli http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid
Start and Run a Coffee Bar (Start & Run a)by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid
How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid
FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner (FabJob Guides)by Tom Hennessey http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761516514/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid
ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan and Julie Sheldon Huffaker
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/047112138X/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid