What are the do's and dont's regarding opening a cafe?

Question

I want to open one in the new year.Any tips would be helpful especially on things like location,selections of food,and cost of equipment etc

Answer 1

Three things to worry about: location, location, location

Other ideas:

1. Know you competition - where is everyone eating now and why
2. Building - don't only worry about the inside, but is there plenty of parking? Easy entering and exiting?
3. Kitchen - spend some time on the kitchen layout. Nothing is worse for the staff than tripping over each other during busy times.
4. Costs - all will depend on your area.

Mike Honeycutt

Answer 2

The three most important considerations when opening a cafe: location, location, location. It's already assumed that you know the nuts and bolts of running one, otherwise you'd be crazy to try. Determine what sort of customer base you're looking at. Is this a trucker's cafe or a sidewalk cafe for Really Beautiful People? Huge distinction. Big menu difference. I'd start a breakfast/lunch wagon sort of thing. Serve fresh espresso, coffee, homemade pastries and sandwiches. That way you could drive to where the customers are.

Answer 3

Here are my perceptions on running a profitable small food business(sorry if some may seem obvious):

The most important thing is going to be a location with good foot traffic.

If you are in a metropolitan area just assume there is a starbuck's on every block, but that doesn't mean you won't get business. People are lazy and will go to the nearest place.(so "don't" worry so much about distancing yourself from competition)

"Don't" reinvent the wheel, but learn from those who have thrived in the industry. So use some really successful business as a basic model to build on.

The employees are going to be the hyperractive outgoing types. That's what food service people need to be. Limitless energy, and not shy.

The main reason that restaurants close down is because of slow service. Speed is paramount. Your menu and decor will draw them in, but if your food is served slow you will certainly fail.

The second thing is rudeness. People will not expect a smile, but if they get treated rudely, they will not come back.

Answer 4

Do your homework before you make any decisions - check out locations, prices and business rates etc. Check out the opposition - what types of food/drink, opening hours, decor etc.
Get some good deals with local suppliers - wholesalers, cash & carry warehouses etc. Get an understanding bank manager/business advisor!

Watch Channel 4 - there was a programme on there last week about a couple setting up a juice bar in Brighton and they had some good advice. Maybe there's something on the Channel 4 website.

Answer 5

First thing to find out before you even start to think about location, and menu's etc, is prove to your self that the business is viable. I.e. what evidence do you have that enough people will want to come to your cafe and give you money for your service. You need to do your market research. Once you can prove that the money will come in then you can think about the day to day items. Contact you local business link. They will provide one-to-one consultation and the may also run courses. Best of luck (will I get a free lunch if I turn up?)

Answer 6

Good answers here, but there is one important point to ask:

Have you ever worked long term in a cafe.

As a Hotel consultant, the most common occurence that I get called to aid Hotels is the ones that were started by people who never in the industry and just thought, "I could do this". Most of this type of venture fail.

Get a job in a cafe, and get some idea of what it is like is probably the best start you can ever do.

There are good books out there on the subject, may I suggest going to a bookshop and just browse around.

Plan carefully and you could do it.

Answer 7

as a vegetarian my tip would be not to just provide a vegetarian option but to provide it reasonably priced. The reason I say that is because I am often served a stir fry or vegetable tart that is the same price as a steak or something blatently more expensive!

Also as a customer I think not having too loud music is vitally important especially if it's a cafe.

I guess lunch and breakfast is the best time for cafes so why not have a wide choice of options for sandwiches and jacket potatoes, broaden it with different types of cheese, sundried tomatoes etc.

HTH

Answer 8

only select one on its current takings dont start from scratch or think you can double get a reasonably good one then focus on improvements, ppl are funny like that.

Answer 9

Hire Polish workers, you only have to pay the £3.05 an hour. It's great. They'll do anything you want and never complain. *lol*

Answer 10

Do offer daily specials, don't offer e-coli cola, do offer side dishes, don't hire a psycho murderer short order, short temper cook, do hire a dish washer, don't hire hobos to save money.