What makes a coffee shop successful?
79738
The inside design of the coffee shop is very essential.  It makes people feel cozy.  Offer Free internet.  Weekly allow poetry readings and have someone perform...perhaps a music student or someone who wants to get their name out there so that you do not have to pay salary overhead.  Your expenses should be kept at a low.  Coffee shops do not have to be flashy but need to be unique..do not try tooo hard because it shows and can look fake or copy cat ..maybe ask some local interior design students to take a shot at designing your shop (they should do it for free just for a little recongnition) ....even if your coffee falls short ..the human psyche has a weakness ..it always goes for something "niche" and fresh....People with money like cozy places undiscovered places.. simple..sweet..unique...design your shop to meet that demand..develop a customer base...Also your location should not be near another coffee shop ..you do not need to share the spotlight..there needs to be at least a 10-15 mile radius between competition..also give dine-in customers real coffee cups maybe with a cute design or something..paper cups are a no-no!!
5234
Vision:  Paint a picture of what ideals you want to strive toward.  How about "To be recognized by the city as having the best baked goods and most comfortable atmosphere of any shop in town."\n\nMission:  More like Marching Orders.  how about:  "To produce and serve quality, fresh baked goods with variety which keeps our customers coming back, particularly the corporate customers  (I am making stuff up here), insuring maximum longterm profitablity.  You may want to add specifics about WHICH customers are important, which aspects of the bakeshop are important (quality food, on time delivery(?), high customer service and happy people, good atmosphere).  You may want to add specifics about which products are important (cakes, morning goods, high-end coffee, etc).\n\nGoals and Objectives, I think you take it down a level toward specific actions:\n\n1) Improve customer satisfaction (+10% as measured by our survey (or something)) \nTactic 1a)  Train all employees on customer service skills.\nTactic 1b)  BE 10 minutes early for all deliveries.\n\n2)  Improve Freshness\nTactic 2a) mark baking time on all goods - pitch goods after x hours\nTactic 2b)  Recommend items that are newly out of the oven\n\n\n3) improve profitability\ntactic 3a)  Measure production and wasted goods; reduce waste\ntactic 3b)  Put a marketing program in place to market to local businesses, and increase sales\n\n\nJust some random thoughts .. hopefully mine plus others will give you a start!  Best of Luck.
338126
I totally agree, coffee is one of the most profitable business around the world. Cost just a little to make a cup of coffee and they sell it so expensive. gas prices have been low and it it time to make them right. Nice comment my friend
857363
Train retail clerks to be high level service oriented, win-win for all.,\nyou'll make a killing, once you understand what service really is !\nProgram will increase any business bottom line.
950088
hi, contact their corporate office (head office) \nIt is not cheap and to become a franchisee you have to abide by their company rules everystep of the way, if they have their own brand of coffee or one imported you cannot decide personally to use a second brand of coffee, ie., they want their chains to be the same., some are any where from 35000.00 and uppppp.  you also pay a franchise percentage of all income monthly. sounds fun heh? good luck, wish you the best, ( try and research the newer coffee houses they may have a lower francise fee and easier to get into, also if you are a woman try the prov. govt loans designed for women, "western diversification" for example
1001340
Enjoy  subscriptions to magazines of topics you find interesting. Have eccentric friends. Eccentric people are really neat because they know lots of things about whatever they collect and tusually collect more than one thing. One of the most interesting things about being in the business world are the people I meet. I pick their brains about many different subjects about which I used to know nothing. Customers like it when I take an interest in their work and hobbies and my willingness to learn about anything. Trust me, I'm never bored.
510089
Hi there, running any kind of business is always risky. I suggest you take management and marketing workshops instead of selling the cafe. New ideas for your cafe, may be the solution you need to start making money. \nGood Luck, ;)
101424
One that comes to mind of the many that can go wrong is\nNot Knowing your Customer.\nThe more you are going to know about your Customer/Prospect\nand understanding their needs and desires, the better chance\nof success.\nTesting small groups also would be reccommend, this way you\nare not blowing your budget on mistakes.
1039870
Hi, \n\nThat's a coffe company!!\n\nCheers!!
742128
I suggest you first learn more about the coffee shop business and understand its ins and outs. Business license is just an easy step to do, but you have to have all the ingredients to make a coffee shop successful. Here is my previous answer on the topic with great resources on how to start a coffee shop business  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqV71M7aKJvwxAv.5icv9AsjzKIX?qid=20060906072246AA9oNSl\n\nThe California Business Permitting Database will have all the information you need on the business licenses, requirements and permits a coffee shop business will need http://www.calgold.ca.gov/  - just indicate your business and your county/city and it will show you what and how to get the requirements\n\nFor example, if you live in Pasadena, California, below are some of the requirements in opening a coffee shop http://www.calgold.ca.gov :\n\n- Building and Construction Permit: Required for all new and remodeling construction, including change of occupancy\n- Burglar Alarm Permit: A permit must be obtained from this department for any businesses requiring a burglar alarm or security system. \n- Business License (Business Tax Certificate): Required for all entities doing business within city limits.\n- Fire Department Inspection/Permit: All businesses may be subject to a yearly inspection of facility; and a Business Plan/Contingency Plan if hazardous materials/wastes are on site.\n- Public Health License: Contact the department for a license if your business is in any way concerned with food/restaurant, wholesale or retail market, vending machines, catering trucks, etc.\n- Business Personal Property: Property used in the operation of a business such as machinery, equipment, trade fixtures, etc. is taxable and subject to assessment. \n- Fictitious Name Filing (DBA): Required if fictitious name is used.\n- Public Health Operating License: Required of restaurants and businesses manufacturing food, ice or soft drinks\n- Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate: Stationary sources of air emissions from specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents and some consumer products, must be permitted.\n- Alcoholic Beverage License: Any person or entity seeking to sell alcoholic beverages must be licensed. \n- Corporation, Company or Partnership Filings: If you are considering becoming a corporation, (either stock or nonprofit), a limited liability company or a partnership (limited, or limited liability), you must file with the Secretary of State's Office.\n- Sales & Use Permit (Seller's Permit): All businesses selling or leasing tangible property must obtain a Seller's Permit. \n\nI suggest you check out these resources on How to Start a Business in California\n\nCalifornia Business Portal http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/resources.htm \nCalifornia Business Search http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/list.html  \nCalifornia Dept of Consumer Affairs Licensing Information http://www.dca.ca.gov/aboutdca/licnhelp.htm  \n\nHere are the places where you will find information on tax requirements:\n\nSellers Permit – CA Board of Equalization http://www.boe.ca.gov/info/reg.htm \nCalifornia Tax Service Center http://www.taxes.ca.gov/ \nFranchise Tax Board http://www.ftb.ca.gov/  \n\nIf you want business advice and free mentorship/assistance I suggest you check out the following resources:\n\nSBA California http://www.sba.gov/ca/  \nCalifornia Chambers of Commerce http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/ibrp/chamber_alpha.htm \nSCORE Bakersfield - Golden Empire http://www.scorebakersfield.org \nSCORE Glendale - Los Angeles http://www.scorela.org/ \nSCORE Merced - Yosemite http://www.score556.org \nSCORE Monterey - Monterey Bay http://www.bayscore.org/ \nSCORE Oakland - East Bay http://www.eastbayscore.org/ \nSCORE Oxnard - Ventura http://www.scoreventura.org \nSCORE Palmdale - Antelope Valley http://www.score.av.org \nSCORE Rancho Cordova - Sacramento http://www.sacscore.org \nSCORE San Diego - San Diego http://www.score-sandi
590326
You must do extensive research into what OTHER people want, not just what you like. I know of too many  "chic" clubs that failed for one reason or another. It is a very tough business and demands much of your time. You need a solid business plan, reviewed by people who know you and those who really don't, like your banker or accountant. I suggest you check out websites of successful clubs and try to import ideas that you feel would work for the demographics of your specific area. Exact location is not so important as the proximity to your customer base. People will not normally drink and drive, taxis can be too expensive for some, and ideally folks should be able to walk or take a taxi for no more than 8-10 dollars, again depending on the income levels of the folks you hope to attract. Two important aspects: try to find a location somewhere in between two clubs that are already successful, so that yours is a natural place to "stop by". Second, staff attitude is ultra important; too many owners hire just the best looking servers, who MAY have bad attitudes and work habits. There is no question that better looking staff sell more....it's not fair to most but simply a fact of life.
1101140
Where are you, what are you stuck on?\nHave you found a location, a space?\nHave you priced equipment, like the chairs people sit in to get their hair done and mirrors and shelves for the beauty store?\nI would start with finding a suitable space and renting or buying it. \nThen fill it up with the stuff you need (might have to remodel the space first) then hire the staff and open.
644356
How about a coffee shop?
1037820
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Ultimate Guide to Specialty Retail: How to Start a Cart, Kiosk or Store -- by Patricia Norins\n* Start and Run a Coffee Bar by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison\n* Coffee Basics: A Quick and Easy Guide by Kevin Knox \n* How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark \n* ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
708588
Yeah!!! Starbucks s*cks.  Dumb names for the stuff, goofy customers, and over-priced crap.  I don't know why they are so successful.
86824
1) The ability to go for long periods with out a paycheck.\n2) The ability to pay large amounts of money for health ins.\n3) The drive to pound pavement to drum up new business.\n4) The patience to deal with slow paying clients.\n5) The personality to keep smiling when everyone is out to get you.\n6) The concept of tactics to know your competition and out perform them.\n7) The frame of mind to give superior customer service.\n8) The relief of knowing your a success!
483417
Just like MacDonalds or KFC, the manager's main responsibilty is to ensure the cafe is running smoothly on a daily basis. He/she is responsible for the welfare of the employees (schedule the employees' time, hire/fire employees, train new employees on customer service and other related tasks), ensure the place is cleaned, store is opened on time and closed accordingly, check the cash flow and do the banking, supplies are replenished, deal with customers' complaints, advertisements and promotions, etc. It's a hugh responsiblity and doesn't look as easy as one think.