Coffee business?

Question

With the coffee industry booming (in California) I would realy like to start my own coffee shop. Any one know what you have to do? Any one own there own company not just coffee. Any advise would be helpfull.

Answer 1

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
Start and Run a Coffee Bar (Start & Run a)by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison
How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark
FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner (FabJob Guides)by Tom Hennessey
ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan and Julie Sheldon Huffaker

Answer 2

Do market research in your area to see exactly what kind of coffee shop is needed/desired.
I live in Belgium (home of fantastic coffee). Two guys in our university town started a specialty coffees, bagels and sweets shop TWO BLOCKS away from a franchise. Now the franchise is out of business and the two guys can't stock enough bagels.
They offer hot and cold coffees, a variety of herbal teas (and a homemade iced tea), hot or cold "spiked" coffees (with kahlua, amaretto, etc.), fruit smoothies (fresh orange juice with a variety of other berries or bananas). A variety of bagels (plain, wholewheat, onion, sun-dried tomato, cinnamon and raisin, etc.) are filled with cream cheese and smoked salmon, chicken and honey dressing, brie cheese, ham and cheese... At lunch, there is a homemade soup of the day and (usually) two varieties of homemade quiche. Desserts include chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies, brownies, apple pie, tiramisu, different kinds of cake.
The key to their tremendous success, I think, is that everything is FRESH, most of it is made on the (relatively small) premises (they contract out the bagels and some of the more "exotic" cakes) and you can eat well for about $5-$7. (The coffees average around $2.50 for a fairly generous "regular"-sized cup.The most expensive bagel combo is about $3.50).
They have some magazines and the daily newspapers to read. Upstairs they hold (small) art exhibitions. They also sell bagged coffee and coffee paraphernalia (cups and saucers, coffee grinders, fancy coffee pots) and have client cards where you get your eleventh drink free.
It all keeps people coming back -- and bringing more people with them!
Good luck!

Answer 3

Check your local paper for Business' for sale. Usually they sell you all the start up eqpt and needs to get rolling.

Answer 4

First try calling franchise company. Even if you do buy one from them ,They will give you a lot of information.