New in the coffee shop business

[juliamt3]

Hello! I am currently looking to start a coffee shop with a business partner in the Plano/Frisco Texas area. What sort of advice or hard truths should I know from the beginning. I am also currently setting up a cost analysis what is a cost that some people don't think about or don't realize is impactful.
Everything helps,
Thanks!

 

[Coffee_Mad_Man]

Hello! I am currently looking to start a coffee shop with a business partner in the Plano/Frisco Texas area. What sort of advice or hard truths should I know from the beginning. I am also currently setting up a cost analysis what is a cost that some people don't think about or don't realize is impactful.
Everything helps,
Thanks!

I'm also interested in hearing people's experiences with this!
Julia, may I ask about the current costs you have noted?

My initial thoughts on costs are
Direct
Coffee Machine
Grinder
Cups, cutlery etc
Food Wastage

Indirect
Accounting s/w and/or personnel.
Company registration costs (we have these in the UK, most likely there will be some in the US)
Staff Costs
Maintenance of machines (+ contingency for breakdowns etc)
Building Maintenance, Bills & Cleaning
Building works
(Future) Expansion costs
Advertising
Website


Hard truths: If you don't currently have a customer base or interested groups I'd consider this a J-curve business i.e. lots of money spent before returns are visible ...- if anyone is making a profit from a coffee business, please let us know how long it took to break even.

tips from other business ventures (you may already be doing this) - I'd highly recommend getting your business on google maps, gumtree (craigslist US alternative*), and other sites. Google was hugely helpful in getting customers through the door for my former business (tennis racket restringing). One thing I found got repeat customers was giving a 10-20% off coupon. Ensure you ask for reviews! - it feels weird but will ensure you're seen on maps and new people come. You can also start a google business site (which was free, I imagine it still is?) before you pay for a complete website.

Although I haven't started a coffee business I hope these tips are helpful

Rooting for you Julia!
Coffee_Mad_Man
EDIT: *I keep forgetting US don't have gumtree but craigslist!
PS - leverage your facebook friends, start a facebook page and ask them to like it; plus join facebook coffee groups too - again this is just a suggestion.

 

[NishaAngel77]

Hello! I am currently looking to start a coffee shop with a business partner in the Plano/Frisco Texas area. What sort of advice or hard truths should I know from the beginning. I am also currently setting up a cost analysis what is a cost that some people don't think about or don't realize is impactful.
Everything helps,
Thanks!

This would be awesome for my boos, though he has a property in River Grove IL that he would like to turn into a coffee shop and another property in FL. If this is something that you maybe interested in please let me know.

 

[Coffee_Mad_Man]

I'm also interested in hearing people's experiences with this!
Julia, may I ask about the current costs you have noted?

My initial thoughts on costs are
Direct
Coffee Machine
Grinder
Cups, cutlery etc
Food Wastage

Indirect
Accounting s/w and/or personnel.
Company registration costs (we have these in the UK, most likely there will be some in the US)
Staff Costs
Maintenance of machines (+ contingency for breakdowns etc)
Building Maintenance, Bills & Cleaning
Building works
(Future) Expansion costs
Advertising
Website


Hard truths: If you don't currently have a customer base or interested groups I'd consider this a J-curve business i.e. lots of money spent before returns are visible ...- if anyone is making a profit from a coffee business, please let us know how long it took to break even.

tips from other business ventures (you may already be doing this) - I'd highly recommend getting your business on google maps, gumtree (craigslist US alternative*), and other sites. Google was hugely helpful in getting customers through the door for my former business (tennis racket restringing). One thing I found got repeat customers was giving a 10-20% off coupon. Ensure you ask for reviews! - it feels weird but will ensure you're seen on maps and new people come. You can also start a google business site (which was free, I imagine it still is?) before you pay for a complete website.

Although I haven't started a coffee business I hope these tips are helpful

Rooting for you Julia!
Coffee_Mad_Man
EDIT: *I keep forgetting US don't have gumtree but craigslist!
PS - leverage your facebook friends, start a facebook page and ask them to like it; plus join facebook coffee groups too - again this is just a suggestion.

@JohnnyRocket, you helped me with my query on selling coffee beans, wondering if you can help @juliamt3 here with setting up a coffee shop. I gave some thoughts above based on my thinking from other posts and past business ventures, but perhaps you have more direct experience on this.

 

[stemelon]

Thank you for your interesting answers