Are you looking to open your very own coffee shop, but aren’t sure where to get started?
In the US, there are currently over 35,000 coffee shops. This means that simply opening a shop isn’t enough. You also need to find ways to create a coffee shop that stands out from the competition and gets you noticed by coffee aficionados.
How do you do this?
Check out this guide to discover the top tips for starting a coffee shop.
1. Determine Your Target Audience
When opening up a coffee shop, it’s not enough to just say “my target audience is anyone who loves to drink coffee”.
To make your coffee shop stand out, you need to make sure you gear it towards a specific type of audience. So, ask yourself, “What does my ideal customer look like?”
Are you looking to sell your coffee to office workers who are going to be in and out? Or, do you see your coffee shop as a hangout for a more hipster crowd? Or, maybe you envision your coffee shop to be a great place for remote workers to camp out for the day.
Whatever your vision is, you want to have a clear idea of what your target audience looks like before you start rolling. Your target audience will influence everything from the type of space you choose to how you design the interior to what marketing tactics you employ.
2. Find High-Quality Suppliers And Equipment
Making a great cup of coffee essentially comes down to two things: great beans and great equipment.
This means that before opening your coffee shop, you need to take some time to research the best bean suppliers. And, while it may cost you some extra money, make sure you invest in high-quality equipment for preparing your coffee.
Some of the equipment you’ll need to run your coffee shop include:
- A commercial espresso machine
- An industrial coffee grinder
- Automatic drip coffee maker
- Refrigeration system
- Oven, toasters, and other devices for cooking
- Freezers and cold product storage
- POS system
- Industrial blender
While all of this can seem like a lot, it’s definitely an investment that will pay off.
3. Find The Right Location
The location of your coffee shop can make or break its success.
When scouting for a location, you need to think about more than just the rent. You also want to make sure that enough people can fit in the space without feeling cramped.
Your space should also be accessible to anyone who enters, have some room for seating either outdoors or indoors, and be easy to get to by either car or on foot.
4. Get The Proper Licenses And Permits
When opening your own coffee shop, you can’t forget about the logistical side of things.
The county or city where you open up shop will determine what taxes you’re responsible for paying, what type of business registration you need to do, and what licenses and permits you need to apply for.
Consult with your local business resources to make sure you have the right documentation in place before opening your doors to the public.
Starting A Coffee Shop: Are You Ready To Open Your Doors?
Now that you have these tips for starting a coffee shop, it’s time to begin your journey. Before you know it, your coffee shop will be all the buzz.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more business-related tips and tricks.