Thinking of starting my own Coffee Shop
- Thread starter sarah1ou
- Start date
L
Longdean0053
Hi, I'm new to this and am interested in knowing if anyone can advise on how we are best advertising our fully equipped and stocked Coffee Shop for rent? We are based in Birtley near Gateshead in the North East. The 'retail space' has been converted into a Coffee Shop with a very large rear kitchen (hopefully to deliver on buffet/parties/catering orders) and as we have already 3 businesses in the same premises, we can't provide the focus on developing the Coffee Shop further. Thus, our thoughts were to rent it out. We've spent approx £17,500 on converting/equipping the shop and we are real proud of what we've achieved to date, but really need to hand over the day to day running to another business person. As some of the facilities are shared, its important for us to work with someone who we feel we can trust (as well as obviously having the legal stuff in place plus references and Guarantors). Any idea how we best go about doing this, other than an advert on Gumtree?!!! All suggestions would be most welcome, with thanks in advance. Dav
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tICG
I think this is the post of the thread, good sound advice (not always what you want to hear when you are excited about your new 'baby') which will put you on a more solid foundation if you can follow it. IMHO of course.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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tICG
And this is the funniest post of the thread. Really made me chortle, and chortling is not something I do lightly nor often.
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I like the bagel bar idea, nice and niche, not done round here. Could be styled / branded really cool, but experience tells me it would struggle - why are landlords asking soo much in high street rents when so many stand empty for sooo long?! principals? - I can't afford to fail, it's a tricky old life isn't it?!
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Lee Jones Jnr
The madness of Martin. Oh dear, I must regain some credibility at some point
Right now, my ideas are:
* Bagel bar in town
* A waste management company
* An eBay Trading Assistant service
One of my ideas every 5 years works well, and it's around about that time again
I hope you don't continue with the mix ups once the bagel bar is open, you wont get good reviews serving refuse filled bagels.
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Hi Sarah, I know you posted some time ago, but this is something I am seriously considering at the moment. I am just interested in your research, and whether you went ahead with the idea, and if so, how it has been.
I have no personal experience in the field, but I just have a feeling if I gave 100% effort, I could find a way to make it work.
Also, can anyone recommend any websites where I can find businesses that are for sale in this field.
Many thanks.
Chris
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kelvin1950
Apparently, there are 582 for sale here: http://uk.businessesforsale.com/uk/search/Coffee-Shops-for-sale
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You could try these sites... not really a recommendation... they're just two I've browsed in the past
http://www.daltonsbusiness.com
http://www.rightbiz.co.uk
I just looked, and they have specific search categories for coffee shops (rightbiz category is actually 'Tea Rooms & Coffee Shops')
Good luck.
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Northampton Janitorial
I thought about setting up a coffee shop myself a while back, but the main problem I faced was estimating the footfalls, and therefore how much produce I would sell.
I did some rough estimates based on pure guesses, and I just couldn't make a profit, so I shelved the idea - such a shame as there is a perfect location for a coffee shop up for rent in my town right now, still sitting there empty.
However it's quite a small place, so perhaps the fact that nobody else has snapped it up speaks volumes.
So my advice : do your business plan, and try and account for everything, be realistic, and if you think it could definitely work then go for it!
I did some rough estimates based on pure guesses, and I just couldn't make a profit, so I shelved the idea - such a shame as there is a perfect location for a coffee shop up for rent in my town right now, still sitting there empty.
However it's quite a small place, so perhaps the fact that nobody else has snapped it up speaks volumes.
So my advice : do your business plan, and try and account for everything, be realistic, and if you think it could definitely work then go for it!
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Hi there,
Live your dream....I thought this video might give you some inspiration for your coffee shop?!
http://www.brightpearl.com/blog/2012/01/23/customer-focus-lahloo-tea-%E2%80%93-epos-for-multichannel-retail-and-wholesale
Enjoy!
Brightpearl
Live your dream....I thought this video might give you some inspiration for your coffee shop?!
http://www.brightpearl.com/blog/2012/01/23/customer-focus-lahloo-tea-%E2%80%93-epos-for-multichannel-retail-and-wholesale
Enjoy!
Brightpearl
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jozoed
I genuinely want to be supportive, but if you have any sense at all DON'T DO IT. I opened up a tearoom five years ago, and while it is successful in the sense that we get up to 600 persons through the door each Saturday, we are still taking home pittance. However hard you think it is, times it by 100, however much money you think you'll make, divide by 100, however much you think you can tolerate people, wait until you meet the lady who insists on bringing her four children in, ordering one hot chocolate and proceeds to pour it into four of her own cups, hitting the carpet, and then complaining that it's cold and refusing to pay for it while her brood rip up your beautifully printed menus and smear crayons on the glass. It is a horrible horrible job that I romanticised and thought would be the answer to my need to be a boss. Find a business that doesn't involve face to face time with people, and doesn't need any staff, and you're on to a winner. It is a hard hard business, and I am not a work shy person at all. We put in 90 hours a week, only get a day off at Christmas, and never see friends or family. It is a tough tough business. Want to buy ours?
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I have ran two cafe / coffee shops in the past and I agree with other people who have replied that it is very hard work and there is an obvious risk that another coffee shop could open up along the street.
As far as I am aware there are no grants available and help from banks at the moment is difficult to find, that said I think that there is potential to make a decent living as long as you have a passion for the product you are going to sell.
I would research the area that you want to open a cafe in and understand the type of foot fall that you are going to get. When I say type I mean are customers going to be professionals, old people doing shopping, tourists etc. Depending on the outcome you will be able to start estimating what sort of coffee shop will fit with your potential market. You will then be able to build up a cashflow forecast that will be your nearest guess to what the business can turnover etc.
When you look at your overheads you must include everything from lighting, rent to food costs. Work out how much it costs to make a cup of coffee and a sandwich if you are going to sell them (take into account even the amount of butter on the bread) This will give you a forecast.
I would then suggest that you sanatise the forecast by reducing your projected revenue by 30%. This should give you something you can work with.
Have you looked at renting a coffee shop that has closed down, if you can work out why it closed then maybe you could make it a success. I did exactly that on my first cafe.
Hope this helps and stay positive its always good to give things a go if it feels right.
Cheers
Craig
As far as I am aware there are no grants available and help from banks at the moment is difficult to find, that said I think that there is potential to make a decent living as long as you have a passion for the product you are going to sell.
I would research the area that you want to open a cafe in and understand the type of foot fall that you are going to get. When I say type I mean are customers going to be professionals, old people doing shopping, tourists etc. Depending on the outcome you will be able to start estimating what sort of coffee shop will fit with your potential market. You will then be able to build up a cashflow forecast that will be your nearest guess to what the business can turnover etc.
When you look at your overheads you must include everything from lighting, rent to food costs. Work out how much it costs to make a cup of coffee and a sandwich if you are going to sell them (take into account even the amount of butter on the bread) This will give you a forecast.
I would then suggest that you sanatise the forecast by reducing your projected revenue by 30%. This should give you something you can work with.
Have you looked at renting a coffee shop that has closed down, if you can work out why it closed then maybe you could make it a success. I did exactly that on my first cafe.
Hope this helps and stay positive its always good to give things a go if it feels right.
Cheers
Craig
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Hi there.
I totally second that!! Expect for the customer part as mine are pretty much all very lovely.
I'm also on 90 hours a week, Xmas will be the only day off if I'm lucky I won't need to go down to clean up!
I run my cafe from a distant.. As I work full time for another company which means I have two staff running it in the week and boy, mission impossible! is not an understatement!
I have overestimated staff / people commitment, my ability to manage a business from a far, and underestimate the time, money and pain it'd cost!
However, with all that said, my cafe has great potentials and could be a great success if only I have the right staff!
I am now looking for a business partner to run it with me so we can build it up to the greatness that it could be.
In this process I have learnt so much and I dont regret it one bit, except I'd like to have not made some of the mistakes but it's a lesson learnt!
It has also made me realise that I love the catering industry and I'm good at it!!
Best of luck to all you dreamers
I totally second that!! Expect for the customer part as mine are pretty much all very lovely.
I'm also on 90 hours a week, Xmas will be the only day off if I'm lucky I won't need to go down to clean up!
I run my cafe from a distant.. As I work full time for another company which means I have two staff running it in the week and boy, mission impossible! is not an understatement!
I have overestimated staff / people commitment, my ability to manage a business from a far, and underestimate the time, money and pain it'd cost!
However, with all that said, my cafe has great potentials and could be a great success if only I have the right staff!
I am now looking for a business partner to run it with me so we can build it up to the greatness that it could be.
In this process I have learnt so much and I dont regret it one bit, except I'd like to have not made some of the mistakes but it's a lesson learnt!
It has also made me realise that I love the catering industry and I'm good at it!!
Best of luck to all you dreamers
I genuinely want to be supportive, but if you have any sense at all DON'T DO IT. I opened up a tearoom five years ago, and while it is successful in the sense that we get up to 600 persons through the door each Saturday, we are still taking home pittance. However hard you think it is, times it by 100, however much money you think you'll make, divide by 100, however much you think you can tolerate people, wait until you meet the lady who insists on bringing her four children in, ordering one hot chocolate and proceeds to pour it into four of her own cups, hitting the carpet, and then complaining that it's cold and refusing to pay for it while her brood rip up your beautifully printed menus and smear crayons on the glass. It is a horrible horrible job that I romanticised and thought would be the answer to my need to be a boss. Find a business that doesn't involve face to face time with people, and doesn't need any staff, and you're on to a winner. It is a hard hard business, and I am not a work shy person at all. We put in 90 hours a week, only get a day off at Christmas, and never see friends or family. It is a tough tough business. Want to buy ours?
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Yes, everyone says about the hard work, and about the competition etc. What I cannot understand from a logical point of view, is how its possible that there are so many sucessful coffee shops/cafes out there if it really isnt worth the bother.
It would be really good to hear some sucess stories, (if there are any!)
I have particular niches about mine which i think is in demand and much needed. Every person I speak to about it, agrees with me that it is a much needed necessity in London. I dont want to say what exactly my plan is, but I am convinced it would work.
I take on the advice about careful planning with suppliers, costs, staff. I think I will have quite a healthy marketing budget too because I strongly feel its a word of mouth game and awareness about what I would like to offer.
I am bracing myself for the hard work and the volatility of business - especially at the beginning.
I have also thought about taking over a failed business. I will continue to look into whats available. Location is key for me, therefore I will nto be rushing into anything until I feel I have found the correct location. I have my day job afterall so my intention is that his would be something I would dive into and give up my day job when its perfectly planned.
It would be really good to hear some sucess stories, (if there are any!)
I have particular niches about mine which i think is in demand and much needed. Every person I speak to about it, agrees with me that it is a much needed necessity in London. I dont want to say what exactly my plan is, but I am convinced it would work.
I take on the advice about careful planning with suppliers, costs, staff. I think I will have quite a healthy marketing budget too because I strongly feel its a word of mouth game and awareness about what I would like to offer.
I am bracing myself for the hard work and the volatility of business - especially at the beginning.
I have also thought about taking over a failed business. I will continue to look into whats available. Location is key for me, therefore I will nto be rushing into anything until I feel I have found the correct location. I have my day job afterall so my intention is that his would be something I would dive into and give up my day job when its perfectly planned.
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Hi Lunee,
You are right, this is hard work but you can succeed. Sometimes it is important to say it!
Location and concept are of course the key.
But just one thing. Don't expect to quit your job once your everything is planned and sorted. You will have to be 100% available to have things properly planned and done.
You will have to be fully commited to make things work. This is a very demanding job (even before opening) and you can't expect do it part-time from a remote place. But yes, you can be successful.
You are right, this is hard work but you can succeed. Sometimes it is important to say it!
Location and concept are of course the key.
But just one thing. Don't expect to quit your job once your everything is planned and sorted. You will have to be 100% available to have things properly planned and done.
You will have to be fully commited to make things work. This is a very demanding job (even before opening) and you can't expect do it part-time from a remote place. But yes, you can be successful.
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Jason789
I spent 10 years in catering working for a contract caterer in Compass as a manager working with franchises such as Costa and Starbucks. You need to have a sound business plan and your location will be key. Start with a concept or brand idea. There has been a massive rise in deli cafes and upmarket cake/coffee shops. Again finding your premises, you will be able to survey your potential customer market. Look at costings and menu ideas. If you get the planning right then you have a better chance of success. Market research is critical. What are the local competition doing, what will you do better? What will make you different. Coffee will always sell and the mark up is great around 68%.
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I agree with Jason, Planning is Key!
But also expect the unexpected... for example, competitors opening near you, no matter how many searches you pay for, how much research... sometimes these things will happen! It happened to me, but that's where the will to succeed and hard work mind set comes in very handy! Always look on the positive... Like Duncan Banatyne said, you just got to do it better than the others!
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If you have the funding and passion-go for it! My town is bombarded with coffee shops but it is heavily populated with elderly folk and they seem to all cater for them well.
Just sus your area you want to set up in and go from there .
Put passion into what you do and people will come back for more.
Go for it!
Just sus your area you want to set up in and go from there .
Put passion into what you do and people will come back for more.Go for it!
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For anyone interested in starting or already own a cafe, I've made a 5min youtube video about coffee bean quality. Be selective with your coffee and don't just do the standard proceedure of choosing the cheapest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7q6d_TrhU4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7q6d_TrhU4
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We opened a coffee shop last september, and spent just over £10K on stock and supplies. I have to say it has been very hard, it took a few months to build our customer base up from nothing, but now we have a very good name, and a good following of clients.
We were not looking to open a coffee shop, we were looking to expand our photography studios, which we have incorporated within the same building. Doing this meant we didn't really have a budget for the coffee shop, but we managed to get a business loan and went from there.
Myself and girlfriend gave up well paid jobs to run both the coffee shop and photography studios, but even though we wont make the same money as we did when we worked for others, I wouldn't change it for the world. We work around 60 hrs a week in the coffee shop and then evenings and sundays in the studio, along with this in our spare time we are at wholesalers and suppliers buying more stock for the following week.
If you need to have a personal chat, drop me a line or give me a call, happy to help in any way I can.
I forgot to say that you need a good coffee too...we tried a number of different brands, but now we work with a roaster who supplies us with amazing coffee and our customers give great feedback.
Good Luck
We were not looking to open a coffee shop, we were looking to expand our photography studios, which we have incorporated within the same building. Doing this meant we didn't really have a budget for the coffee shop, but we managed to get a business loan and went from there.
Myself and girlfriend gave up well paid jobs to run both the coffee shop and photography studios, but even though we wont make the same money as we did when we worked for others, I wouldn't change it for the world. We work around 60 hrs a week in the coffee shop and then evenings and sundays in the studio, along with this in our spare time we are at wholesalers and suppliers buying more stock for the following week.
If you need to have a personal chat, drop me a line or give me a call, happy to help in any way I can.
I forgot to say that you need a good coffee too...we tried a number of different brands, but now we work with a roaster who supplies us with amazing coffee and our customers give great feedback.
Good Luck
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