How to get your dream coffee bar up and running

Opening a coffee shop is an exciting venture.

If you’re a coffee fan yourself, you will quickly understand the importance of location, atmosphere and small perks that make a coffee shop unique and worth spending money at.

With coffee shops popping up left, right and centre, having the right location, selection of foods, service and design layout will be the differentiating factors for your new business idea.

As much as it’s about design and individuality, the coffee shop you decide to create needs to be a place where business meetings, coffee dates and general coffee runs can occur with ease. It’s all about creating a social hub that is convenient. But, before you can start anything, you need to have a plan.

Here is what you need to consider before getting your first coffee shop up and running:

• Location

Your location is the place where you are going to set up your shop. This is the first and most important step of the entire process, as the location you choose will greatly determine your success. Bear in mind that your location needs to reflect the LSM that you’re targeting. Do an analysis of your demographics, and think of a few areas that you wish to explore. Although one location may be ideal, it is important to consider the external factors which may influence your decision. For example, accessibility and parking. Will customers be able to access your shop with ease, and will there be parking facilities for them?

Another thing to consider is whether or not you want to rent or buy space. A wise decision would be to rent for the first six months to a year, to test the waters. Malls are high-traffic areas but they are also sky-high in rental prices. The upside of this is the constant foot traffic but the downside is the working hours. You’ll need to determine what you are prepared to compromise on. On another note, if you want to steer away from malls completely, try looking at stores that are road facing. These will be great exposure for your coffee shop as it will be easily visible from the road and accessible for everyone.

• Internal layout and design

With the right guidance and financial assistance, you will be able to transform your space into the quirky and hip environment you’ve always dreamed of. When it comes to your coffee shop design, your furniture and equipment play an important role. These items are not always budgeted for, but before you forget about the finer detail that could potentially take your coffee bar to new heights, look for companies who can help you with equipment finance. Every little bit matters, and if you have a specific theme and design in mind, you cannot afford to compromise because of funds.

Once again, as the demand for new and innovative coffee shops grow, smart business owners are always looking towards the latest trends to guide their business opportunities. For example, cycling. Apparently coffee and cycling go together like bread and butter. Nowadays, you’ll find many cyclists popping in to enjoy a quick coffee on their morning ride. And, much like cycling has become a hot topic, it is similar trends that influence the success of regular businesses. Make sure that you cater to upcoming trends.

• Drinks and food

Well, if you want to be listed as one of the best coffee shops in the area, you’re going to need to invest in some good quality coffee beans. Do some research on what people like and incorporate your own unique twist. Hire qualified coffee baristas to make the coffee experience all the more genuine. Along with coffee, you also need to include a selection of artisan drinks and juices. Consumers are also looking for healthier dining options, so once again, make sure you’re able to cater to the needs of your customers.

• Customer service

Since a coffee shop is highly dependent on knowledgeable employees who can engage with their customers about the latest menu additions, companies need to hire the right employees. Training is a valuable and attractive component to both potential employees and customers, as it shows that the company is willing to invest in their people to better themselves and the business.

With the coffee shop industry changing in a blink of an eye, it’s important for companies to make smart decisions to match the market. For example, table or counter service. The minute you involve the traditional table service, things start running slowly and customers start complaining about the poor service. With counter service, it’s quick and convenient. When customers order and pay upfront, it eliminates unnecessary labour costs. This approach is also more effective over busier times.

Final words

Quality products which are delivered through excellent customer service are the hallmark of any successful business. Take the time to find the perfect location to compliment your service offerings. If you look after your customers and update your look and feel regularly, you’ll have a successful business.