How can I start pursuing my dream of opening up a cafe?

Question

Since I was a kid I have loved cooking and baking. I majored in hospitality in college, and I'm ready to move on. I want to open up a cafe that sells coffee, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads. How should I start this whole process? How would I start picking recipes, employees, signs, decor, etc.? (I have already found a place that i would like to rent for the cafe itself)

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:

* The Restaurant Business Start-up Guide by Paul Daniels
* Restaurants That Work: Case Studies of the Best in the Industry by Martin E. Dorf
* Restaurant Financial Basics by Raymond S. Schmidgall
* Opening a Restaurant or Other Food Business Starter Kit: How to Prepare a Restaurant Business Plan and Feasibility Study by Sharon Fullen
* Upstart Guide Owning & Managing a Restaurant by Roy S. Alonzo
* The Restaurant Managers Handbook: How to Set Up, Operate, and Manage a Financially Successful Food Service Operation by Douglas Robert Brown

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've got the right recipe for success. Something you love to do and a great start on the training you need to succeed. My first suggestion would be to go to the Small Business Administration's web site and get all the information you can on loans, grants and especially advice. The SBA funds one of the best resources in the world for entrepreneurs; SCORE, or Service Corp of Retired Executives. This free service is available to anyone with a dream and the sense to use it. You are paired with people who have years of experience and priceless knowledge and are willing to give it to you. Also check with your local chamber of commerce. They will have information on local, county and state funds available to you. Often you can get grants and low interest loans to purchase equipment, signs or renovate or build you cafe. There will be many hurdles and you will almost certainly suffer some setbacks but if you want it you will make it. The help is there for you, use it. Don't be afraid to start small and buy GOOD used equipment to keep your initial investment down. Most businesses fail because of either investing too much and needing to make too big a profit or overspending once the profit starts rolling in. Best of luck.

Answer 3

Write a Business Plan. It's a tedious and time-consuming effort but it will force your to take a second, critical look at your plans.
The most important part of that Plan is the Market Study wherein you quantify the DEMAND for the products and services you have in mind. Included in that part is also the Trade Area Analysis (TAA) which most retailers used when studying the business location. It looks at not only the size, status and psychographics (lifestyle) of your would-be customers but also the existing competitors. Everything will be more vivid and you'll see that your plan will be only a few steps away from reality once you've 'seen the entire picture' through your Plan.

Answer 4

The more research the better, look for other cafe's around your area that are for sale and investigate them. Look at any coffee/cafe franchises available to start in your area for ideas about competitors. Very important to get the right location before researching the rest. Spend lots of time on the internet looking at cafe/coffee places in other countries/area's. There is loads of information available but you do need to spend considerable time really looking at the general market before looking at the small details.

Answer 5

start by looking for a good location and if the foods good youll get all the buiness you can handle