How to Open a Coffee Shop 1-2-3
Whether you want to start a coffee shop, espresso cart, sell mail order or launch a mobile coffee service,
there are lots of ways you can make money with coffee.
Below, you'll find a start-up guide, coffee shop business
plans, 9-step start-up checklist and tips to help you maximize your profits from your coffee business.
Since coffee houses vary by size, location, type, staff and items sold, start-up costs differ. See how much
it will cost to start your business using a start up costs worksheet.
Steps to Starting a Coffee Shop Business:
1. Register your business name with your
county clerk and obtain the necessary business licenses. Your local government
office can tell you which licenses and permits you need for your coffee shop and how to apply.
Coffee Shop Names: Thinking about what to name your coffee business? You want to describe the
benefits and personality of your company in a way that has special meaning to your target market.
2. Find a commercial space for your business. Check for zoning restrictions if necessary. Commercial
real estate agents can help you locate vacancies and calculate rents that you can afford. Generally, you
want to be near businesses that complement a coffee shop and that are already attracting customers. As
you scout out possible locations, check out traffic patterns, planned construction projects, where your
competitors are located and also parking situations.
 3. You may also
choose to change the floor plan or decor for a unique coffee shop design for your
business. You can create a coffee shop layout with restaurant floor plan
software and even get coffee shop design ideas by looking at other pictures or visiting other cafes.
Purchase the necessary coffee shop supplies and equipment like brewing systems and
espresso machines from a wholesale supplier.
4. Set up a business
bank account. It is important to keep your coffee business and personal finances separate, and often
your banker can help with small business
loans or financing. You can also set up a simple bookkeeping system to manage your finances.
5. Arrange a meeting with an accountant to discuss tax strategies and ways
to maximize your business tax deductions. You
can get referrals from other business owners you know or sometimes your banker.
6. Meet with an insurance agent to discuss insurance you may need for your
cafe. The IIABA has a list of qualified agents. You can also get insurance quotes for free online.
7. Set up your business phone system. Whether you use a
toll-free 800 phone number, a
multi-line phone system, VoIP or simply add an additional phone number to your existing service, you'll
want a designated line to establish a professional business image.
8. Create your menu. Decide which items you will offer and create your own
menus using easy-to-use templates and low cost printing services. See coffee shop menu design for
resources.
9. Get a website. Save money by using a free website builder with easy-to customize templates. Whether you sell
coffee products online - or you use a website to display cafe menus or business hours, it's important to
take advantage of this low-cost marketing resource that can help you get more customers.
Coffee Business Resources:
Coffee Shop Marketing:
 Order business cards. Often overlooked, business cards can be a very
efficient and low cost advertising method. See how you can design your own professional business cards
online >> Free Business Cards.
See also: 30-50% off
Postcards, Brochures and more. Design your own marketing materials online using professional
templates. Designs provided, printing done for you. See also: Coffee Shop Logos
Get Free Publicity - Besides
advertising in your local yellow pages and placing ads in newspapers and neighborhood mailers, you can save
money by sending a press release or "letter" to your local paper announcing the grand opening of your new
business.
If you can offer a special discount or hold an event and tie it in with your grand opening, publications
will find this more newsworthy and are more likely to publish news about your storage company. Your press
release can be short and simple, and you can find press release samples you can follow on this page:
How to Write a Simple Press Release
Advertise with Signs
Use a car magnet to advertise your business while you are on the road, a yard sign to announce a sale or a
banner to promote your store's grand opening. You can design and create your own signs cheaply online using
SignsBannersDecals.com.
Offer coupons in neighborhood mailers or local newspapers to attract new customers to try
your coffee and check out your cafe. You can use mailing services or design your own coupons using online coupon creators. Local Online
Advertising
More and more people are looking for local businesses online (instead of the traditional yellow pages), and you
can use local search engines and directories to find these people. Local Search sources that are affordable and
receive substantial traffic include: Google Local, Yelp, Super Pages and more specialized sites Urban Spoon and
Insider Pages.
You can also request free information from coffee/cafe franchises.
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How to Start a Coffee
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