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Business Idea: Starting a Coffee Shop Business

Starbucks proved that coffee is one hot commodity (literally and figuratively!) that many would-be business owners are planning to start their own coffee shop business. People are making it a habit to visit their favorite coffee shop everyday to get their latte fix.

One important note, though — this is a business that requires capital and can hardly be started on a $5,000 budget. In fact, according to Bellissimo Coffee Infogroup, http://www.espresso101.com/coffee_faq.html you will need the following amounts to start your coffee shop business:

• Coffee Cart: Usual start-up cost is $20,000–$25,000 to open and stock.
• Kiosk: Depending on the size and what menu items are offered, it will usually cost between $50,000–$60,000.
• Coffee Drive-Thru: The cost of opening a drive-thru espresso business operation can vary dramatically, from the the very small units for less than $30,000 to anywhere between $80,000–$180,000 depending on how the shop looks.
• Sit Down: The cost of opening a sit-down coffee shop is comparable to the cost of opening an upscale drive-thru. Start-up costs for most 1200 sq. ft. coffee bars average $150,000 to $300,000.

You may want to read the following articles:

• So, You Wanna Open a Coffee Shop
• EspressoBusiness.com (has a nice section on what to avoid in terms of coffee shop business)
• Links to various resources on starting a coffee business
• Coffee Shop Sample Business Plan (free)

For in-depth information, you may want to read the following books:

• Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting and Running a Coffee Bar (The Complete Idiot’s Guide)by Linda Formichelli
• Start and Run a Coffee Bar (Start & Run a)by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison
• How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark
• FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner (FabJob Guides)by Tom Hennessey
• ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan and Julie Sheldon Huffaker