Opening up a cafe business is a smart move since coffees, teas, and smoothies are everyday drinkables, ensuring that you get customers day in and out.
But if it’s your first time running a business, the task can seem quite daunting.
Managing a cafe isn’t cheap either, so if you don’t want to go bankrupt, do things right the first time around.
Here are five things to consider before you start running a cafe.
Choose the Perfect Place
Picking a suitable location to open up the shop is the first step and it’s the most difficult decision for most people wanting to run a business. There are numerous factors and variables to consider before you decide on your location. For instance:
- Rental expenses
- Availability of space
- Local competition
- Geographic space of target customers
- Foot traffic
Another major element that could help you find the perfect location you’re looking for is by knowing what the building was previously used for. If there was a restaurant or coffee shop there before, you won’t have to spend extra on redesigning and there will already be an existing customer base.
Create a Solid Business Plan
Creating an effective business plan is essential to keep yourself on track and gradually guide the shop, along with your employees, in the direction you want. It doesn’t have to be an intricate 50 page notebook. All that matters is that it clearly highlights your business goals and aspirations.
Some important sections you should add in your business plan include:
- Company Overview
- Executive Summary
- Customer and Market Analysis
- Marketing and Operating Plans
- Business Model
- Financial Plan
Invest in the Right Staff
For small businesses, and cafes especially, hiring experienced persons is definitely valuable but having a good attitude to attract customers and create lasting connections, like the cafes in Windsor VIC.
Running a cafe requires a whole team of people, including the:
- Baristas
- Servers
- Accountant and Manager
- Other kitchen and waiting staff
Surround yourself with team members that have individual skill sets and experiences that can prove valuable for your business.
Buy Cost-Effective Equipment
You need to be smart when buying the right equipment for your cafe because there’s a fine line between purchasing high quality equipment and overspending on useless items. That is why research is key to ensure you save money and find the best product.
Below is a list of the most basic stuff you’ll need to pay attention to for running a cafe:
- Coffee machine
- Espresso machine
- Coffee grinders
- Ovens
- Toasters
- Industrial blenders
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Point of Sale (POS) System, to process orders and transactions
Determine a Marketing Strategy
Opening a shop and waiting for customers to just walk in isn’t what you should be doing. Make people aware of your business through the necessary channels like a business website, social media accounts, and Google Maps Listing.
These platforms can help you reach a wider amount of potential customers, create a name for yourself, and build brand loyalty online and in the real world. Posting information about your business and cafe, making content, announcing special deals and holiday offers are just a few of the things you can include in your digital marketing plan.