Opening Your Own Cafe

Opening your own cafe is very fulfilling. There’s no better way to spend working life than by relaxing with friends and pouring the odd cup of coffee. However, with a huge abundance of cafes it can be difficult to stand out among the crowd. Planning and preparation will help you determine whether or not there's a market for your new business and if it's a feasible venture. Ask yourself these simple questions before you start writing up your business plan.

What type of cafe are you opening?

Always know your target clientele before you start your new venture. If your cafe is a place for friends to hang out and relax, then big comfortable sofas may be your best bet; while if it's a place for people to pick up their morning coffee before work, maybe smaller, more compact cafe furniture would be more suitable.

What do you want from a cafe?

Imagine you're a customer. Think about what type of food and drinks you'd want to buy and where you want to sit etc. There's no better perspective than your own. If your cafe wouldn't satisfy your own needs, then you probably won't want to spend your time working there.

How big does it need to be?

Obviously the size of your cafe will determine partly on the property that's available and how much money you have to spend on the lease; however, it's always a good idea to visualize what you require beforehand. It's simple – if you want a large seating area or to host live music, then you'll need more floor space. If you want to serve food, then a decent sized kitchen is a must. The more you know about your cafe before you make your investment in property, the better.

Do you know anyone in the business?

There's no better resource for information than people who have their own cafes. If you frequent a certain establishment try to get to know the owners. Ask them for advice on how to get started. You never know, they may even point you in the direction of grant schemes or investors.

What style do you want?

The interior style of your cafe can literally make or break your business. Before you start shopping for cafe furniture, make sure you have a set style and theme in mind that is actually feasible. For example, you may want to open your very own neo Victorian or future themed cafe, but imagine sourcing all of the materials and buying all the custom made furniture. It would be a nightmare!