business plans for coffee shops pdf

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Coffee Shop Business Plan PDF Example

• February 28, 2024
• Business Plan

Creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial for launching and running a successful coffee shop. This plan serves as your roadmap, detailing your vision, operational strategies, and financial plan. It helps establish your coffee shop’s identity, navigate the competitive market, and secure funding for growth.

This article not only breaks down the critical components of a coffee shop business plan, but also provides an example of a business plan to help you craft your own.

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or new to the food and beverage industry, this guide, complete with a business plan example, lays the groundwork for turning your coffee shop concept into reality. Let’s dive in!

Our coffee shop business plan is structured to cover all essential aspects needed for a comprehensive strategy. It outlines the shop’s operations, marketing strategy , market environment, competitors, management team, and financial forecasts.

• Executive Summary : Offers a quick look at your coffee shop idea, market research , your team, and money plans.
• Coffee Shop & Location: Talks about the design, special features, and why the spot is great for customers.
• Operations: Describes how your shop runs daily, like hours, staff roles, and your menu items with prices.
• Key Stats: Gives numbers on how big the coffee shop world is and what’s trending.
• Key Trends: Points out new things in coffee shops, like eco-friendly practices or tech for ordering.
• Key Competitors : Looks at other coffee places nearby and how your shop is different.
• SWOT: Lists strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks for your shop.
• Marketing Plan : Ideas for getting the word out and keeping customers coming back.
• Timeline : Major steps and goals from starting up to the first year.
• Management: Highlights Info on your leading team and their roles.
• Financial Plan : Predicts financials for 5 years, like how much you’ll make, spend, and keep as profit.

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Executive Summary

The Executive Summary presents a concise overview of your coffee shop’s business plan, encapsulating the essence of your establishment and its offerings. It should articulate your market positioning, the variety of coffee and related products you offer, its location, size, and a brief on the daily operations.

This section should also delve into how your coffee shop will carve its niche within the local community, including an analysis of the number of direct competitors in the vicinity, identifying who they are, as well as highlighting your coffee shop’s unique selling points that set it apart from these competitors.

Moreover, information about the management and co-founding team should be included, elaborating on their roles and the value they bring to the coffee shop’s success. Additionally, a synopsis of your financial projections, including anticipated revenue and profits over the next five years, should be provided here to offer a clear view of your coffee shop’s financial strategy.

Make sure to cover here _ Business Overview _ Market Overview _ Management Team _ Financial Plan

Dive deeper into Executive Summary

Business Overview

For a Coffee Shop, the Business Overview section can be neatly divided into 2 main slides:

Coffee Shop & Location

Talk about your coffee shop’s look and feel, highlighting cozy seats and nice lighting that make it welcoming. Mention its location, noting how easy it is to get there, like being close to shops or having easy parking. Explain why this spot is great for attracting customers.

Operations & Offerings

List the kinds of coffee and other items you sell, including snacks or light food. Discuss pricing, making sure it matches the quality of what you’re selling and suits your target customers. Share special features of your shop, such as using local products or offering unique coffee flavors. Mention any deals or events you have to keep customers coming back.

Make sure to cover here _ Coffee Shop & Location _ Operations

Market Overview

Industry size & growth.

In the Market Overview of your coffee shop business plan, begin by exploring the size of the coffee industry and its potential for growth. This analysis is key to understanding the breadth of the market and pinpointing opportunities for expansion.

Key Market Trends

Next, discuss current trends in the coffee market, like the growing demand for specialty coffee, the appeal of ethically sourced and organic beans, and the innovation in coffee brewing techniques. Highlight the interest in offerings that cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs, such as plant-based milk options and artisanal blends, as well as the increasing importance of sustainability in the coffee industry.

Key Competitors

Then, examine the competitive landscape, which encompasses a variety of coffee shops from high-end specialty cafes to more affordable, convenient options, as well as the rise of home brewing. Focus on what sets your coffee shop apart, whether it’s through top-notch customer service, a unique selection of products, or expertise in certain types of coffee. This section will underscore the demand for coffee shop services, the competitive atmosphere, and how your coffee shop is well-placed to succeed in this vibrant market.

Make sure to cover here _ Industry size & growth _ Key market trends _ Key competitors

Dive deeper into Key competitors

Start by doing a SWOT analysis for the coffee shop. Point out Strengths (like skilled baristas and a variety of coffee options), Weaknesses (such as high running costs or lots of competitors), Opportunities (for instance, more people wanting unique coffee experiences), and Threats (like economic changes that might reduce how much people spend on coffee).

Marketing Plan

Then, make a marketing plan that shows how to draw in and keep customers. This could include ads aimed at the right people, deals to save money, an active and interesting online presence, and getting involved in the local area.

Lastly, set up a detailed timeline that marks important steps for the coffee shop’s start, marketing actions, growth in the number of customers, and goals for getting bigger. Make sure there’s a clear plan and goal for moving the business forward.

Make sure to cover here _ SWOT _ Marketing Plan _ Timeline

Dive deeper into SWOT

Dive deeper into Marketing Plan

The Management section focuses on the coffee shop’s management and their direct roles in daily operations and strategic direction. This part is crucial for understanding who is responsible for making key decisions and driving the coffee shop toward its financial and operational goals.

For your coffee shop business plan, list the core team members, their specific responsibilities, and how their expertise supports the business.

Financial Plan

The Financial Plan section is a comprehensive analysis of your financial projections for revenue, expenses, and profitability. It lays out your coffee shop’s approach to securing funding, managing cash flow, and achieving breakeven.

This section typically includes detailed forecasts for the first 5 years of operation, highlighting expected revenue, operating costs and capital expenditures.

For your coffee shop business plan, provide a snapshot of your financial statement (profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow statement), as well as your key assumptions (e.g. number of customers and prices, expenses, etc.).

Make sure to cover here _ Profit and Loss _ Cash Flow Statement _ Balance Sheet _ Use of Funds

Privacy Overview

Coffee Shop Business Plan Template

If you want to start a coffee shop business or expand your current one, you need a business plan.

Over the past 20+ years, our coffee shop business plan template has helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their coffee shops.

Below is an example coffee shop business plan template that will help you write your own coffee shop business plan:

2. Company Overview – Your company overview should include a detailed explanation of the company’s concept, location, products/services offered, customer profile and market size.

3. Industry Analysis – This section involves researching various aspects of the coffee industry such as its size, competitive environment, key players and trends.

4. Customer Analysis – The customer analysis should include a description of your target audience, their needs and how you plan to attract and retain these customers.

5. Competitive Analysis – This should include a description of your competitors, their strengths and weaknesses and how you plan to compete with them.

6. Marketing Plan – Your marketing plan should outline the strategies and tactics for achieving your specific marketing objectives.

7. Operations Plan – This should outline the day-to-day operations of the business, its personnel structure, hierarchy and supplier relationships.

8. Management Team – This section should include a description of the key players in the company, their skills and responsibilities.

9. Financial Plan – The Financial Plan should include your businesses’ financial statements and funding requirements.

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Coffee Shop Business Plan FAQs

• What Is the Easiest Way to Complete My Coffee Shop Business Plan?
• Growthink’s Ultimate Coffee Shop Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your business plan.
• Where Can I Download a Sample Coffee Shop Business Plan PDF?
• You can download our coffee shop business plan PDF template here. This is a coffee shop business plan example that you can use in PDF format.
• What Is a Coffee Shop Business Plan?
• Why Do You Need a Business Plan for a Coffee Shop?

1. A business plan sets a clear direction: Perhaps the most significant benefit of having a business plan is that it gives you a clear direction and purpose. It outlines your goals and objectives, how you plan to achieve them, and the timeline and resources required. A well-written business plan also clarifies your target audience and helps you understand their needs and preferences. With a solid business plan, you’ll have a better idea of where to focus your efforts and resources, which can save you time, money, and frustration.

2. Helps secure funding: Opening a coffee shop requires a significant investment in equipment, inventory, rent, and staffing, among other expenses. To secure funding from investors or lenders, a business plan is essential. It demonstrates your knowledge of the industry and market trends, your marketing strategy, financial projections, and how you plan to mitigate risks. A well-thought-out business plan can help convince potential investors that you have a viable idea and are a good investment.

3. Provides a roadmap for growth: A business plan is not just for starting your coffee shop; it’s also essential for long-term success. It’s a roadmap that can help you navigate the ups and downs of running a business. A good plan should contain measurable goals that you can track and adjust as needed. It should also have contingency plans if things don’t go as expected. As your coffee shop grows and evolves, refer to your business plan to ensure that you stay on track and adapt to changing market conditions.

4. Attracts and retains employees: In addition to investors and lenders, your business plan can also help attract and retain employees. A clear business plan shows potential employees what your vision is and what you want to achieve. It also shows them how they can contribute to your success and how you plan to reward them for their efforts.

5. Enhances credibility and professionalism: Finally, a business plan can enhance your credibility and professionalism. It shows that you have thought through your ideas and have a clear plan for how to execute them. This level of detail and preparation can go a long way in building trust with potential investors, lenders, employees, and customers. A well-written business plan can also make you stand out from your competition by demonstrating your attention to detail, industry knowledge, and commitment to success.

• What Are the Sources of Funding for a Coffee Shop?
• The main sources of funding for a coffee shop are bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable. But they will want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business and ultimately help you secure funding.

COFFEE SHOP BUSINESS PLAN OUTLINE

• Coffee Shop Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan
• 10. Appendix

Start Your Coffee Shop Plan Here

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Coffee Shop Business Plan Ultimate Guide + Free Example

July 6, 2023

Adam Hoeksema

When it comes to starting a coffee shop, writing a business plan may not be your top priority. You're probably eager to dive into the exciting world of brewing aromatic coffee and serving delicious treats, rather than spending days crafting a detailed plan.

However, it's important to understand that potential lenders and investors often require a business plan before they consider supporting your venture. So, while it may not be your first choice, having a well-prepared business plan with realistic financial projections is crucial to securing the financial backing you need.

So if you have to do it, this article is going to help you walk through the following:

• What Should be Included in a Coffee Shop Business Plan?

Coffee Shop Business Plan Outline

• Conducting Market Research for Your Coffee Shop Business Plan
• Creating Financial Projections for Your Coffee Shop Business Plan

Example Coffee Shop Business Plan

• Free Coffee Shop Business Plan Template Download
• Coffee Shop Business Plan FAQs

With that in mind as the path forward, let’s dive in. 

A coffee shop business plan should effectively convey to investors and lenders why customers would prefer to frequent your coffee shop, why you or your team are the ideal individuals to manage the coffee shop, and how the financial projections are structured to ensure a worthwhile return on their investment. Below is a comprehensive layout of our complimentary coffee shop business plan template.

I. Executive Summary

Ii. market analysis, iii. business concept, iv. marketing strategy, v. operations plan, vi. financial plan, startup costs and use of funds, annual sales, gross profit and net profit, key financial ratios, financial summary, income statement annual summary, cash flow statement annual summary, balance sheet annual summary, vii. management team.

VII. Conclusion

How to do Market Research for a Coffee Shop Business Plan

Central to any coffee shop business plan is market research. You need to comprehend your position in the market and aim to validate that there is ample demand for your specific coffee shop concept, location, and pricing structure. You can explore more about our coffee shop market researc h approach here, but ultimately, you aim to understand your competition, gain insights into potential customer footfall, select an optimal location, and anticipate any seasonal trends that might influence your business. Here are some instruments and strategies for conducting market research for your proposed coffee shop.

What Will be the Cost to Advertise my Coffee Shop?

We recommend using Google Keyword Planner to assist you in determining which keywords to advertise for attracting customers to your coffee shop's website. The tool also provides an estimate of how much each click will cost when advertising for various keywords, as seen below:

What Keywords are Customers Using in Their Searches?

We utilize both Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs to discover which keywords are channeling traffic to your competitors' websites. For instance, you can run a report on a competitor's website to see the keywords they rank for and the amount of organic traffic each keyword brings. This information can help streamline your SEO efforts.

How Seasonal are Coffee Shops?

We use Google Trends to identify how seasonal your coffee shop concept might be. As an example, you can see below that the search volume for “coffee shop near me” in the United States is somewhat seasonal in nature.   January is consistently the low point, with the summer and fall tending to be the high point of the season.

How Many Customers Do my Competitors Receive Each Month?

Lastly, we find it beneficial to generate foot traffic reports on your competitors to ascertain the typical number of customers they receive at their coffee shops. You can see an example below that indicates the number of visits per month for a specific location:

In the end, the potential customer base for your coffee shop will be a critical assumption that will form the backbone of your financial projections. Therefore, understanding the footfall of your competitors can aid you in estimating potential traffic to your coffee shop.

How to Create Financial Projections for a Coffee Shop Business Plan

Once you've conducted thorough market research, it's time to develop financial projections for your coffee shop. Our coffee shop financial projection template is designed to help you estimate revenue based on customer traffic, taking into account factors such as seating capacity and the efficiency of your kitchen operations. These projections serve two important purposes: demonstrating your ability to repay a loan and showcasing the potential return on investment for potential investors. To achieve this, consider the following steps:

• Estimate startup costs for your coffee shop
• Forecast revenue
• Project food and labor cost
• Estimate your operating expenses like rent and utilities
• Calculate how much investor or loan capital you will need to open

Our coffee shop projection template offers guidance in this process and provide a standardized format that meets the requirements of investors and lenders. Typically, a comprehensive set of projections for a startup coffee shop should include an integrated income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow forecast.

Remember, while writing a business plan and developing financial projections may seem daunting, they are essential steps in securing the necessary funding and creating a roadmap for your coffee shop's success. By following these guidelines and utilizing our templates, you'll be well-equipped to present a compelling case to potential investors and lenders.

Below is the content of our example coffee shop business plan. You can also access a Google Doc version of this coffee shop business plan template here , allowing you to personalize it to suit your needs. In addition, you can follow along with this video walkthrough designed to assist you in adapting the business plan to your specific coffee shop concept.

Coffee Shop Business Plan Template

Brewtopia is a specialty coffee shop located in the heart of downtown, offering customers a unique and elevated coffee experience. Our target market is young professionals and coffee connoisseurs who are looking for high-quality coffee and a comfortable, chic atmosphere. Our goal is to differentiate ourselves from other coffee shops in the area by offering a unique selection of specialty coffee drinks and a curated menu of pastries and small bites, made with locally-sourced ingredients. In addition to traditional espresso-based drinks, Brewtopia will offer Nitro cold brew on tap and a variety of flavored lattes made with natural syrups. With a focus on quality, customer service, and community involvement, Brewtopia aims to become a staple in the downtown community and to provide customers with a memorable coffee experience.

The coffee industry is a rapidly growing market, with revenue in the US estimated at $48 billion in 2021. Within the industry, the specialty coffee segment is growing even faster as consumers are willing to pay more for a premium experience. 

Our target market is young professionals, ages 25-40, who value convenience and quality in their coffee choices. The downtown area, where Brewtopia will be located, has several coffee shops, but none offer the same level of specialty drinks and baked goods that we will offer. With a focus on quality and a unique experience, Brewtopia is well-positioned to capture a significant share of the growing specialty coffee market in the downtown area.

Brewtopia's concept centers around providing customers with a unique and elevated coffee experience. 

Our menu will include a variety of specialty coffee drinks made with high-quality, responsibly-sourced beans, as well as a curated selection of pastries and small bites made fresh daily using locally-sourced ingredients. In addition to traditional espresso-based drinks, Brewtopia will offer Nitro cold brew on tap and a variety of flavored lattes made with natural syrups, differentiating ourselves from other coffee shops in the area. Our chic and modern decor will provide a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for customers to work, relax, and socialize.

Brewtopia's marketing strategy will focus on building brand awareness and attracting customers through a strong presence on social media, targeted advertising, and community involvement. We will maintain a strong presence on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, showcasing our products and connecting with customers. 

Our targeted advertising will focus on reaching young professionals in the downtown area through channels such as local publications and online ads. In addition, Brewtopia will be active in the community, hosting events and supporting local organizations, helping us to build relationships with our customers and establish ourselves as a part of the downtown community. 

We will also offer loyalty programs and special promotions to encourage repeat business. Our pricing strategy will be competitive with other specialty coffee shops in the area, but slightly higher to reflect the premium quality of our products.

Brewtopia will be open 7 days a week, from 7am to 7pm. Our team of baristas will be trained to provide exceptional customer service and to prepare a wide range of specialty coffee drinks. We will use a point-of-sale system to manage orders and track inventory, and all baked goods will be prepared fresh daily on-site. 

Brewtopia will occupy a 1,500 square foot space in the downtown area, which will include a kitchen for preparing food, a bar for coffee preparation, and seating for 20-25 customers. The space will be designed to be modern and chic, creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

The start-up costs for Brewtopia are estimated at $200,000, which includes the costs of leasing a space, equipment and supplies, marketing and advertising, and initial inventory. We plan to finance the startup costs through a combination of personal savings, a small business loan, and investments from friends and family.

All of the unique financial projections you see here were generated using ProjectionHub’s coffee shop financial projection template . Use PH20BP to enjoy a 20% discount on the template. 

Watch how to create financial projections for your very own coffee shop:

Brewtopia will be owned and operated by Jane Doe, a seasoned coffee professional with over 10 years of experience in the coffee industry. Jane will manage the daily operations of the business and provide exceptional customer service, while also training and supervising a team of baristas. Additionally, Jane will be responsible for the financial management of the business and the development of our marketing strategy.

VII. Conclusion 

Brewtopia is poised to fill a gap in the specialty coffee market in the downtown area. With a focus on quality, customer service, and community involvement, we aim to become a staple in the downtown community and provide customers with a memorable coffee experience. With a solid financial plan and a seasoned management team, Brewtopia is well-positioned for success in the growing specialty coffee market.

Coffee Shop Business Plan FAQs

What are the essential elements to include in a coffee shop business plan.

A coffee shop business plan should include sections on executive summary, company description, market analysis, target audience, menu and pricing, marketing and promotional strategies, location and facilities, staffing and management, and financial projections.

How can I determine the ideal location for my coffee shop?

When selecting a location for your coffee shop, consider factors such as foot traffic, proximity to offices or residential areas, competition in the area, parking availability, and visibility. A bustling area with a high concentration of your target customers can be an ideal location.

How can I estimate the financial projections for my coffee shop?

Financial projections for a coffee shop should include estimates for start-up costs, monthly expenses (such as rent, utilities, ingredients, and employee salaries), projected sales revenue based on customer traffic and average spending, and a break-even analysis to determine when your coffee shop will become profitable.

About the Author

Adam is the Co-founder of ProjectionHub which helps entrepreneurs create financial projections for potential investors, lenders and internal business planning. Since 2012, over 50,000 entrepreneurs from around the world have used ProjectionHub to help create financial projections.

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Table of Contents

Dreaming of opening a coffee shop? You’re not alone. The coffee industry is bustling with passionate business owners eager to make their mark. However, becoming successful coffee shop owners requires more than just a love for the brew. It demands a clear vision that differentiates your coffee house in a saturated market. A well-crafted business plan not only gives life to your idea but also sets your business on a path to thrive. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned entrepreneur, this guide, complete with a free template, will help you craft a business plan that markets and propels your coffee venture to success.

What is A Coffee Shop Business Plan?  

A coffee shop business plan is a comprehensive document that explains what your business idea is, how you intend to penetrate the coffee market, and the strategies you’ll employ to run your coffee shop successfully. When opening a cafe, many aspiring cafe or coffee shop owners underestimate the value of a structured plan. However, this document does more than just outline the needs to open a coffee shop; it gives a detailed roadmap for your new business, offering clarity on every aspect of its operation.

More than that, presenting a well-structured business plan to potential investors is essential. It not only showcases your commitment but also your understanding of the industry, making it a vital tool for securing funding. While crafting a business plan can seem daunting initially, it’s the foundation that both clarifies your idea and sets your business on the trajectory for growth and success in the competitive world of cafes and coffee shops.

Why A Business Plan Is Important For A Successful Coffee Shop Business?

1. Clear Vision and Objectives

When you set up your coffee shop, having a business plan establishes a clear vision and defines your objectives. It is the backbone that steers every decision you’ll make. Without a clear outline, you may find yourself swaying from one idea to the next. With a detailed business plan, you can present a clear business proposal to stakeholders, ensuring them and yourself of the path you plan to tread.

2. Financial Planning

A comprehensive business plan is imperative for accurate financial planning. It will include information on how much capital is required to start, what your ongoing costs will be, and the revenues you plan to generate. If you’re seeking external funding, investors will want to see how you plan to use their money, and most importantly, how you plan to make a return on that investment. If you plan to sell specialty blends or unique treats, the financial section can also help you plan a strategy for pricing, promotion, and sales forecasts.

3. Operational Efficiency

Operational efficiency is the linchpin that holds all business operations together. A business plan will map out every detail, from supplier agreements to employee schedules. You may want to create special events or loyalty programs for regular customers, and this is where a business plan can help you plan a strategy for success. It becomes the reference point, ensuring that daily tasks align with the broader objectives, guaranteeing that resources, time, and efforts are used optimally.

Step-by-step Guide To Write A  Coffee Shop Business Plan

1. Executive Summary

The Executive Summary is like the introduction of a novel – it provides a snapshot of what is to come. Typically, you write the executive summary last, even though it appears first in your business plan. It encapsulates the essence of your coffee shop’s mission, objectives, and financial overview, succinctly explaining what your business concept is about. This section is crucial because many coffee shops fail to engage potential investors right off the bat. Ideally, it should be concise – a page or two.

What should you cover in an Executive Summary?

• Introduce Your Coffee Shop or Cafe: Provide a company overview, giving readers insight into what makes your coffee shop unique from the myriad of coffee bars in the market.
• State Your Mission and Vision: Describe what drives your coffee business and where you see it in the future.
• Outline Your Objective: Define clear, measurable goals that you aim to achieve.
• Provide a Financial Overview: Highlight projected profit margins, a brief balance sheet, and other pertinent financial data.

2. Coffee Shop Business Description

This section paints a picture of your coffee shop. It’s where you elaborate on how you plan to infuse the local coffee market with your unique brews and pastries.

What should you cover in the Coffee Shop Description section?

• Coffee Shop Concept: Dive into the types of coffee drinks you plan to offer, whether it’s a rich espresso or a classic brewed coffee.
• Unique Selling Proposition: Discuss what makes your coffee shop stand out, be it a special blend of coffee beans, a unique roasting method using a specific coffee roaster, or artisanal pastry offerings.
• Operational Plan: Briefly touch upon how you’ll manage your coffee shop, from sourcing beans to serving cups of coffee.

3. Market Analysis

Before pouring your first espresso, performing market research before starting your coffee business is essential. This section dives deep into understanding your potential customer base and the coffee industry landscape in your area.

What should you cover in this section?

• Target Market: Describe your ideal customer. Are they local residents, office workers, or students?
• Location: Discuss the significance of your chosen location. Are there many coffee shops in the area? How does your location cater to your target market?
• Competition: Analyze existing coffee shops. What coffee and food products do they offer? What pricing strategy do they employ? How will your coffee shop compete or complement them?

4. Organization and Management

Behind every successful coffee shop is a robust organizational structure and a competent management team.

What should you cover in the Organization and Management Plan?

• Coffee Shop Ownership Information: Highlight the business’s legal structure.
• Profiles of Your Coffee Shop Management Team: Include details about your baristas, perhaps a part-time accountant, and someone to manage marketing. It can be helpful to create profiles for each role, detailing responsibilities and expertise.

5. Sample Menu

Your menu is the heart of your coffee shop. It’s more than just a list of coffee and tea; it’s an expression of your brand.

What should you consider when creating a Sample Menu?

• Menu Items: Detail the types of coffee, espresso drinks, and pastries you plan to offer. Maybe consider including non-coffee items like teas or specialty drinks.
• Unique Selling Proposition: Reiterate what makes your coffee or food items different from other coffee shops in the area.
• Menu Pricing : Discuss your pricing strategy, keeping in mind profit margin, competitors’ prices, and your target customer base.

6. Marketing Plan

To brew success, it’s not enough to have a fantastic coffee product; you must effectively market it.

What should you cover in a Marketing Strategy for your Coffee Shop Business?

• Define Your Brand: What voice, theme, or emotion do you want your coffee shop to evoke?
• Lay out your plans for social media campaigns, local partnerships, loyalty programs, SEO for website, and other promotional strategies.
• Considering using an  online food ordering system  in your food truck
• Create a  digital menu with QR code  to make your menu easy for your customers to access online

7. Operations Plan

Efficiency is key to the daily grind of running a cafe. The operations section provides a detailed look at the day-to-day operations of your coffee shop business. 

What Operational Issues should you address in your Business Plan?

• Supply Chain: Where will you buy your coffee beans? Who will be your coffee roaster?
• Operating Hours: Consider the best times to cater to your target market.
• Staffing: Detail roles, such as barista, manager, and part-time support.
• Equipment: List down essential equipment, from espresso machines to ovens.

8. Financial Plan

In this crucial section of your business plan, delving into the financial specifics is paramount to lay out a concrete roadmap for the fiscal aspects of your coffee shop.

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Coffee Shop?

Starting a coffee shop is not just about brewing the perfect espresso; it’s also a substantial financial commitment. The cost for opening a coffee shop can range from $80,000 to $250,000. These costs can vary widely based on factors such as location, size of the establishment, equipment quality, and inventory requirements. Moreover, the process of opening a coffee shop might also involve unexpected expenditures, so it’s essential to account for some buffer in your budget.

How Many Ways to Fund Your Coffee Shop?

There are multiple avenues for funding your coffee venture. Traditional bank loans, personal savings, angel investors, crowdfunding campaigns, and partnerships are just a few options. It’s crucial to assess which option aligns best with your business vision and financial situation.

Important Questions to Consider When You Create Your Funding Request If you’re seeking funding, there are several questions you’ll need to answer in your business plan:

• How much money do you need to start and maintain your coffee shop until it becomes profitable?
• What will the funds be used for specifically?
• How do you plan to handle financial challenges that might arise?
• How do you plan to repay any loans or provide a return on investment?

9. Financial Projections

The financial projections section of your business plan forces you to translate your coffee shop vision into numbers, ensuring you’ve accounted for all key metrics that can make or break your venture.

Break-even analysis:

This is the point where your coffee shop’s total revenues equal its total costs. Simply put, it’s when you neither make a profit nor a loss from selling coffee. 

Use this formula:  Fixed Costs / (Price – Variable Costs) = Break Even Point

Projected profit and loss statement:

This will provide a forecast of your expected income and expenses, giving a clear view of your venture’s profitability.

Cash flow analysis:

Essential for understanding the liquidity of your business, this tool is especially crucial for coffee shops, considering the fluctuating expenses and incomes coffee shops offer. When drafting this, consider who will read it, as stakeholders like investors or lenders might have specific expectations.

Coffee Shop Business Plan Template 

• Mission: To offer the community high-quality coffee in a comfortable and vibrant environment.
• Vision: To become the go-to local coffee spot that fosters community connections and coffee appreciation.
• Coffee Shop Description: “Java Junction” will be a modern coffee hub that emphasizes direct-trade coffee beans and a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere.
• Costs: Estimated initial costs are $125,000.
• Profits: Projected annual profit by year two is $75,000.

2. Description of the Coffee Shop

• Coffee Shop Concept: A community-focused café emphasizing artisanal methods.
• Coffee Shop Name: Java Junction
• Coffee Shop Type: Sit-down café with an adjacent mini-library.
• Location: Main Street, Downtown Area – chosen for its high foot traffic.
• Order Fulfillment: Orders taken at the counter with table service for food.
• Working Hours: Mon-Fri (7 am – 9 pm), Sat-Sun (8 am – 10 pm).

3. Menu Offer

• Type of Food and Drink: Coffee, teas, pastries, and sandwiches.
• Offer: From classic espresso shots to unique blends like “Lavender Latte”.
• Unique Selling Point: Every coffee product uses direct-trade beans, ensuring farmer fairness.

4. Market and Competition Analysis

• Market Analysis: The local population includes a mix of professionals, students, and tourists. Many search for quiet spots to work or relax.
• Target Customer: Professionals aged 25-40 and students.
• Size of the Target Customer: Approximately 15,000 individuals.
• Competition Analysis: Three established coffee shops within a mile.
• Size of the Competition: Ranging from small boutique coffee shops to a larger chain.
• Competitors’ Offer: Basic coffee drinks, with limited specialty items.
• Competitors’ Prices: Average of $4 for a coffee drink.

5. Investment Plan (Detailed Cost Analysis)

Investment Cost (One-off): $75,000

• Equipment: $30,000
• Renovations: $20,000
• Initial Stock: $10,000
• Licenses: $5,000
• Miscellaneous: $10,000

Operating Costs (Monthly): $17,000

• Rent: $3,000
• Salaries: $10,000
• Utilities: $1,000
• Stock: $2,000
• Marketing: $1,000

6. Financial Forecast

Year one is projected to break even, with a profit of $50,000 expected in year two, and $75,000 in year three, considering growth and expanding customer base.

• Owner: Jamie Smith, a coffee enthusiast with a business degree.
• Manager: Alex Brown, previously managed a successful coffee chain for five years.
• Baristas: A team of 4 skilled individuals passionate about coffee.

8. Marketing Plan

Java Junction will use a mix of social media marketing, local print advertising, and loyalty programs to attract and retain customers. Regular events, such as “Buy Our Coffee Day” and collaboration with local businesses, will drive foot traffic and community engagement, integral components for starting your coffee shop and making it successful.

This coffee shop business plan sample is hypothetical and serves as a template. Tailoring specifics to your local market, vision, and unique aspects will be necessary. Every coffee shop has nuances that can make them successful, whether it be the coffee products they sell, the environment they cultivate, or the events they host. Focus on what will make your coffee shop stand out and be sure to engage your community.

Tips For Writing a Business Plan For a Coffee Shop

Your business plan becomes the blueprint of your vision. Here are essential tips to consider:

Comprehensiveness is Key: Ensure your plan encompasses all sections you should include, such as marketing, financial projections, and operations. A well-rounded plan provides a holistic view of your business.

Tailor to Your Audience: If you’re presenting to potential investors, focus on profitability and growth projections. For a landlord, emphasize the benefits your coffee shop will bring to their property.

Specialize in Marketing: Given the competitiveness in the coffee industry, it’s crucial to have a solid marketing plan. If marketing isn’t your strength, consider hiring someone to do marketing for your venture. A strong online presence, loyalty programs, and community engagement can set you apart.

Research Your Market: Understand what nearby coffee shops include in their offerings. Identify gaps in the market and strategize on how your shop can fill them.

Stay Flexible: While a business plan provides direction, remain adaptable. The coffee industry is dynamic, and your ability to pivot can prove invaluable.

Separate Sections for Clarity: If your plan becomes too dense, you might want to create a separate document for specific sections like a detailed marketing strategy or an in-depth market analysis. This makes your primary business plan concise and more readable.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how profitable is owning a coffee shop.

Owning a coffee shop can be profitable, depending on factors like location, quality of products, and management. On average, after expenses, many coffee shops report a profit margin of around 3% to 5%, with some successful ones achieving even higher. However, it’s essential to factor in initial setup costs, ongoing expenses, and market competition.

2. How do I start a coffee shop business plan?

Starting a coffee shop business plan involves multiple steps. Begin by defining your coffee shop’s mission and vision. Conduct market research to understand your target audience and competitors. Then, detail out sections like your product offerings, pricing strategy, marketing plan, financial projections, and operational procedures. If you’re thinking of opening a coffee shop, a well-thought-out business plan is indispensable.

3. What is a business plan for a coffee shop?

A coffee shop business plan is a detailed document that outlines your coffee shop’s objectives, strategies, and operational procedures. It acts as a roadmap, guiding you from the startup phase to establishing a thriving business. Moreover, if you need a coffee shop business loan or investment, this plan becomes crucial in convincing stakeholders of your venture’s viability.

4. What are the 4Ps in a coffee shop business plan?

The 4Ps stand for Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. In the context of a coffee shop:

• Product: What type of coffee and related products will you offer?
• Price: How will you price your coffee? Will it be premium or competitive?
• Place: Where will your coffee shop be located? Is it accessible to your target audience?
• Promotion: How will you market your coffee shop? Will you offer promotions or loyalty programs?

These elements help in creating a marketing strategy tailored to your coffee shop’s unique needs and market position.

Launching a coffee shop is not just about brewing the perfect cup but weaving a narrative that resonates with your community, fostering an ambiance that people gravitate towards, and maintaining a seamless operation that drives profitability. The meticulous creation of a business plan is a pivotal step in this endeavor. It’s the beacon that guides budding entrepreneurs through the complexities of the coffee industry. In such a competitive marketplace, a well-structured, comprehensive business plan can make the difference between a fleeting venture and a thriving institution. To potential coffee shop owners, embrace the process, let your passion shine through in your plan, and remember that every great coffee shop started with a simple idea, much like a single coffee bean ready to brew greatness.

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The Ultimate Coffee Shop Business Plan and Template

If you are looking to write a coffee shop business plan, you have come to the right place.

A coffee shop business plan is an essential tool for coffee shop owners or people who want to open a coffee shop. A business plan will help you plan your strategy for success and act as a guide as you look to build your coffee shop.

In this article, we’ll look at why you should write a business plan for your coffee shop or cafe, as well as provide you with a sample and a template that contains inspiration for the things you should include in your coffee shop business plan.

Table of Contents

• 1 Why Write a Coffee Shop Business Plan?
• 2.1 Executive Summary
• 2.2 Company Overview
• 2.3 Market and Customer Analysis
• 2.4 Sales and Marketing Plan
• 2.5 Management Team
• 2.6 Financial Plan
• 3 Wrapping Up

Why Write a Coffee Shop Business Plan?

The basic idea behind a coffee shop is simple. The business needs to sell enough coffee products to cover costs and make a profit. However, many variables will define whether your business is successful.

A coffee shop business plan will help you plan a strategy for success. It will consider factors such as opportunities, risks, and how you will market yourself . By having a good idea of this before you start a coffee shop, you will be better placed to overcome or avoid any difficulties.

Here are some examples of how a business plan could help iron out any difficulties:

• While creating the market analysis section, you may decide that competition is too intense. If this is the case, you could look for a new area with fewer competitors or find a way to make your coffee shop business stand out.
• By creating a marketing plan before you open, you can put yourself in an excellent position to make sales from the moment you start a coffee shop.
• By creating cash flow projections, you will be able to spot any potential financial issues well before they come to light, preventing cash flow problems.

Without a business plan, you would either not know about the potential difficulties listed above, or you would be aware of them but lacking any defined strategy for overcoming them. By creating a coffee shop business plan, you can tackle issues with a clearer head.

Business plans are also essential documents if you plan to apply for funding for your coffee shop.

You’ll likely need to submit the business plan to the bank when applying for a loan, or to investors when applying for equity funding. Having a well-thought-out business plan shows you have done your market research and analyzed your idea which helps give investors an overview of the risks and potential rewards of investing.

If you are going to use your business plan to apply for funding, you’ll need to go into a little more detail about the financials of your business. This will include your income and expenses and you’ll also need to include a section that discusses how you will use the money you’re raising.

Coffee Shop Business Plan Template

A Google search will reveal differences when it comes to the exact sections you should include in your coffee shop business plan.

Nonetheless, a coffee shop business plan template will include the sections listed below. In this part of the article, we’ll go through a coffee shop business plan template and discuss what you should include in each section.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a short overview of your coffee shop business plan. It should include all the important details about your business. When deciding what to include, think about what you would want someone to see if they told you they would only read this one section of your plan.

Open your executive summary with a statement about what your coffee shop business is all about. Talk about what it will offer that is unique and mention why you think it will be successful. Is it the only coffee house in town, for example?

Coffee shop name: AI Coffee Shop

Executive Summary:

AI Coffee will serve high-quality coffee to office workers and business people who work nearby. We will sell espresso-based drinks with a focus on providing quality at speed. We will sell coffee to take away as well as to eat in, with an indoor seating area with space for 25 customers in our coffee shop.

While there are other coffee shops in the area, we believe that there is demand for more — especially ones that focus on a high-quality product. We will also provide a light lunch menu and pastries that we believe will differentiate us from other coffee shops in the area. 

Company Overview

In the company overview section, you should include practical details about your coffee shop business. This will include:

• The structure and ownership of your coffee shop
• The staff you plan to hire and what you will pay them
• Your company’s mission statement, and startup expenses

While this may seem like a lot of work, the good news is this also serves as a way to kill two birds with one stone. As you flesh out your company’s goals & vision statements, it’s important to track this information in an internal wiki . Not only will this help your business stay true to its course, but it can also serve as a great resource for your staff.

AI Coffee will be a privately held company owned entirely by Mr Smith, who will also manage the coffee shop. We will hire two full-time employees with at least two years of barista experience, as well as four part-time employees to help during busy periods.

Startup costs for the coffee shop will be $70,000, which will be spent on rent, renovations, and purchasing equipment. The owner has put up half the money and has borrowed half from a bank. Based on annual sales of $160,000 and after costs and wages, we expect to be profitable within the second year. 

Market and Customer Analysis

In the market analysis section, you should include details about the local market. This can include information on competitors, such as other coffee shops or any fast-food joints, restaurants, or bars that you think will be competing for your coffee shop’s money.

You should also outline what makes your coffee shop business unique and why you think it can be successful despite the competition. You can also include wider information about the coffee industry.

In the customer analysis section, you need to include information about your target market. Include details on who they are and why you think they will like your coffee shop, with metrics where possible. If you performed market research before starting your coffee shop business plan, include that here.

Market Analysis

The coffee industry is expected to keep growing between 2020 and 2024 in the U.S. Research suggests that coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the country, with the average person drinking two cups per day. We believe that this growth, plus the high volume of coffee people drink each day, makes opening a coffee shop a good business opportunity . 

Competitor Analysis

AI Coffee will be located in a vibrant district that is seeing offices open up and new companies move in. There are currently two other coffee shop competitors in the immediate area, but we believe there is room for more.

Our shop’s main advantages are that it is closer to a new office building than the other shops. We also plan to differentiate ourselves by offering a small lunch menu, unlike any of the existing coffee shops, as well as various customer loyalty schemes . 

Customer Analysis

The location of the coffee shop has high footfall, especially before and after work and during lunchtimes. The area has a high proportion of local professionals who can afford to spend money on coffee and other drinks. 

The office blocks in the immediate vicinity are home to around 2,500 people. There are also other buildings being developed nearby. The location is also close to shopping and entertainment districts. We expect to receive significant revenue from passersby, who will keep us busy during the day. 

Sales and Marketing Plan

Before you start a coffee shop, you should have a clear idea of what your business’s sales strategy will be.

Your sales strategy contains practical details on how you will handle sales. You should also include sales forecasts and how you have come up with these forecasts. In this section, you should include information about the products you will sell and your pricing strategy.

Your marketing plan will discuss the strategies you will use to get customers through the door. Discuss your budget and expected returns on investment. If you have a particularly complex marketing plan, you may want to create a separate document for this and only include the highlights in your business plan.

AI Coffee will open from 7.30 a.m. until 7.30 p.m. seven days a week. We expect the hours immediately before and after office hours, as well as between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., to be the busiest of the day, with much of our sales being to take out. 

We will use a commercial espresso machine and we expect to be able to produce up to a maximum of 70 cups of coffee per hour, which should be sufficient during busy times. 

We will sell our espresso-based drinks and tea at between $3 and $6, depending on the drink and the size. We will sell pastries at between $2 and $5, as well as light meals at between $7 and $12. These meals will be packaged so customers can either eat them on-site or take them away. 

We expect to generate around $730 per day from food and drink sales. 

Marketing Plan

We will market our coffee shop to customers in the nearby area through display marketing in relevant locations. We will also use social media marketing to target people nearby, and we will connect with people through our social media accounts. We will use these accounts to keep customers updated with new menu items as well as offers and discounts. 

We will also create a website and an app, which we will use to run a customer loyalty scheme . We will provide the option to order coffee through the app and pick it up at the shop. We think this will appeal to busy professionals. 

Our marketing will focus on the quality of the coffee we sell, as well as the benefits of our shop to office workers ( in-app ordering ). During the week after we open, we will offer substantial discounts on coffee to attract people to our business. This offer will be central to our marketing during this period. 

We will encourage repeat customers using a loyalty scheme that will give them a free cup of coffee when they buy eight drinks.

Our marketing budget will be $500 in the first two months, but we will cut this down to around $350 a month after that. 

Operating Plan

The operating plan will include details of how you will run your coffee shop. This will include costs, as well as specifics about things like opening times, food and drink production, prices, and more.

It will also allow you to spot any potential conflicts. For example, if you plan to serve 150 office workers between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., can you do it with only two members of staff or would you be better off hiring another employee?

You can also use this section to explain any licenses or certifications you need to get before you open your shop, as well as how you will train employees.

We will open from 7:30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. We will always have at least three staff members in place to take care of making coffee, process sales, and keep the coffee shop tidy.

We will buy our coffee wholesale from a supplier that specializes in high-quality coffee. This coffee will cost $40 per five-pound bag. We will keep enough coffee in stock to last for at least one week. 

In terms of equipment, we will use a commercial grinder to grind beans before making each cup. 

We will buy pastries and light meals from a local supplier who will also take care of the packaging. We will receive a daily delivery at 7 a.m., thirty minutes before the shop opens. 

We will thoroughly clean up the shop after closing to ensure it is ready for the following day. We will build HACCP processes to stay compliant with food safety regulations. All members of staff will receive training so they know about these processes.

Management Team

In the management team section, you should include who the business owners are and who will manage your coffee shop. You should write about any experience or qualifications they have that will help make them successful.

If the owners won’t be managing the coffee shop, you should include details about who will take care of the day-to-day running of the business. In this section, include how much you will be paying each of the management team as well as how any profits will be shared amongst the owners.

The owner will also manage the coffee shop. The owner has over ten years’ experience working in coffee shops, including six years in various management positions. AI Coffee will also hire two full-time employees. These employees will have at least two years’ experience working in a coffee shop. We will pay each full-time employee $22,000 a year.

We will also hire four part-time employees with or without experience to work at weekends and provide cover during the week. We will pay these employees $10 an hour. 

Financial Plan

The final section of the coffee shop business plan is the financial plan. Here you need to go into detail about how your business will be financially successful.

Include operating costs (this includes the cost of equipment), loan repayments, cash flow and expected revenue (in the first year, especially). Also, include a balance sheet analysis that shows how much revenue you need to take in to become a profitable coffee business.

In this section, we will explain our financial plan, including costs, expected sales, and profit. We will also include a balance sheet. We believe this plan accurately illustrates why AI Coffee will be financially successful. 

ADD FINANCIALS 

Wrapping Up

That’s all for our coffee shop business plan guide. We hope that this has equipped you with enough knowledge on how to start a coffee shop and will help you with your business planning.

To find out more about getting a business up and running, check out our guides to writing a business proposal in 2019 and writing a small business marketing plan.

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Coffee shop business plan template

Download this coffee shop business plan template in PDF or Word format, or tailor it to your project directly in our business plan software.

Discover our coffee shop business plan template

Our coffee shop business plan template gives you the structure to write a professional plan.

Not accustomed to writing business plans? Our coffee shop business template will turn a typically challenging process into a total breeze.

Modelled on a complete business plan of a coffee shop in Normandy, our template features both the financial forecast and the written part that presents the project, its team, the local market and the business strategy implemented by the management.

Cast your eyes on this template to achieve a better understanding of what your bank and investors would like to see, so that you can create a business plan that meets their expectations.

7 day free trial. No credit card required. Coffee shop business plan template available with paid plans only.

How to use this coffee shop business plan template

Edit the coffee shop business plan template online, or download it.

There are 3 ways to use this template:

• Edit it online: you can adapt this template to your business idea by changing the text or the financial forecast directly in our business planning software
• Download in PDF: if you're just after a little inspiration, you can download the coffee shop business plan template in PDF to read over it
• Download in Word format: want to edit your plan on Word? Simply export the coffee shop business plan template to Ms Word (.docx) format

Coffee shop business plan template content

This template includes a complete coffee shop business plan example, with a financial forecast and the following sections:

• Executive summary: the executive summary gives the reader a clear and concise overview of your business idea
• Company: this section lays out the structure of your business, including its location, management team and legal form
• Products and services: here, you'll give an overview of the services or products offered by the company
• Market analysis: the market analysis is where you’ll demonstrate that there is a strong demand for your products and services through a thorough assessment of the industry (customer profile, hot trends, regulation, competition, etc.)
• Strategy: this section highlights the company's game plan when it comes to pricing, marketing and mitigating risks along the way
• Operations: this step lays out the company's operational organisation, including the recruitment plan
• Financial plan: the financial plan includes a table of sources & uses (initial funding plan), and complete financial statements (P&L, balance sheet and cash flow statement).
• Appendices: this part provides the opportunity to include multiple financial appendices generated by our software (debt maturity profile, monthly financial statements, financial analysis, etc.).

Executive summary of the coffee shop's business plan

The executive summary gives the reader a clear and concise overview of your business idea.

Our coffee shop business plan example's executive summary is formed of the following subsections:

• Business overview: in this subsection, we outline who the coffee shop founders are, what legal form they've chosen for the business, and the rationale behind the choice of their location
• Market overview: in this subsection, we summarize the conclusions of the market analysis performed by the coffee shop's owners and explain which type of coffee lovers they aim to target
• Financial highlights: in this subsection, we give an overview of the forecasted financial performance of the coffee shop over the first 3 years of operation
• Our ask: in this subsection, we outline the amount of financing required to start the coffee shop and how it's going to be funded (the founders are seeking a bank loan to start their coffee place)

Company overview included in our coffee shop business plan sample

This section lays out the structure of your business, including its location, management team and legal form.

Our coffee shop business plan template's company section is formed of the following subsections:

• Structure & Ownership: in this subsection, we outline who the coffee shop shareholders are, what legal form they've chosen for the business
• Location: in this subsection, we present the area surrounding the location chosen for the business and the layout and main features of the premises
• Management Team: in this subsection, we give an overview of the background of each of the coffee shop's founders and explain how they met and why they decided to start a company together

Products and services offered by the coffee shop

The products and services section is where you will present the different types of food and beverages sold by your coffee shop.

In our coffee shop business plan template products and services section, we cover:

• Hot drinks: ranging from classic expressos to "latte art coffees" signed with a unique design made of foamy milk
• Cold drinks: ranging from fresh juices and smoothies to iced and chilled coffees
• Seasonal drinks: a special hot drink each season, including a pumpkin latte in autumn, hot chocolate with Christmas spices in Winter, etc.
• Food menu: a selection of different homemade pastries and sandwiches

Market analysis for the opening of the coffee shop

The market analysis is where you’ll demonstrate that there is a strong demand for your products and services through a thorough assessment of the industry (customer profile, hot trends, regulation, competition, etc.)

Our coffee shop business plan example's market analysis section is formed of the following subsections:

• Demographics and Segmentation: in this subsection, we explore the market in depth. We look at the supply and demand sides both at the national and local level, analyse the hot trends perceived by the founders, and the key statistics that will help the founders build their positioning
• Target market: in this subsection, our founders explain which types of coffee lovers they view as their ideal customers and why they chose to target them
• Competition: in this subsection, we take a look at the direct (coffee shops nearby) and indirect (other ways of getting coffee) local competition to ensure we have a differentiated positioning and that the market is large enough to accommodate the arrival of new coffee shop
• Regulation: in this subsection, we give an overview of the main regulation applicable to our coffee place

Setting the strategy for our coffee shop

This section highlights the company's game plan when it comes to pricing, marketing and mitigating risks along the way.

Our coffee shop business plan template strategy section is formed of the following subsections:

• Pricing: in this subsection, we explain how we set the prices of our main categories of products (pastries, coffees, other beverages) and the rationale behind our choice
• Marketing plan: in this subsection, we explain what action we'll put in place to build awareness and loyalty among the customers of our coffee
• Milestones: in this subsection, we give an overview of the main goals we set for ourselves for the next 3 years
• Risks and Mittigants: in this subsection, we perform an assessment of the medium and long-term risks that could jeopardize the financial viability of our coffee place and outline how we intend to mitigate them

Operations section of the coffee shop business plan template

This part lays out the company's operational organisation, including the recruitment plan.

Our coffee shop business plan example's operations section is formed of the following subsections:

• Personnel plan: in this subsection, we explain what our opening hours will be and explain the responsabilities of each of our coffee place's staff member
• Key assets and IP: in this subsection, we list the assets and intellectual property rights which are critical to our business operations and explain how we will secure and protect each of these
• Suppliers: in this subsection, we give an overview of the main suppliers we will use our what commercial terms have been negotiated with them

Financial plan included in our coffee shop business plan template

This section presents the expected financial performance of the coffee shop over the next 3 years.

Our coffee shop business plan example's financial plan is formed of the following subsections:

• Start-up funding: in this subsection, we list the cost of each item required to launch the coffee shop
• Important assumptions: in this subsection, we explain the methodology and the main assumptions used to build the coffee shop's financial forecast
• Sales forecast: in this subsection, we detail the expected revenues and growth rate for our coffee place in the coming years
• Cost structure: in this subsection, we list all the expenses required for our coffee shop to operate smoothly
• Projected Profit & Loss statement: in this subsection, we analyse our forecasted P&L and comment on the expected profitability of our coffee shop over the next 3 years
• Projected cash flow statement: in this subsection, we analyse the expected cash generation of the coffee place
• Projected balance sheet: in this section we give an analysis of the liquidity and solvability implied from our balance sheet

Appendices of the coffee shop business plan template

This part provides the opportunity to include multiple financial appendices generated by our software (debt maturity profile, monthly financial statements, financial analysis, etc.).

Our coffee shop business plan template's appendices include:

• A Maturity profile chart showing the principal repayments of their loans over the next 3 years
• A monthly cash flow forecast: showing how much cash is being generated or consumed each month over the first 3 years of operations

Coffee shop business plan template sample

Executive summary, business overview.

Cuppa Coffee will be a coffee shop located in the city of Caen, offering a wide selection of coffees, hot drinks, cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and pastries.

Our coffee shop will specialise in the art of coffee-making, thanks to our barista-trained staff. All of our pastries and sandwiches will be made on-site with interchangeable seasonal recipes.

Cuppa Coffee will be located in the rue de Geôle, in the heart of Caen city centre, close to the city's main tram and bus station, as well as the castle and the Quatrans house.

Cuppa Coffee is a limited company with a share capital of €10,000. The company will be managed by two partners: Viviane D. who holds 60% of the shares and Amélie C. who holds 40% of the shares.

Each of the partners benefits from having the experience and professional background required to help them see the project through to its final stages.

Viviane has solid operational experience. She lived in London for 7 years where she worked as a barista and then managed a centrally located coffee shop. She also trained at the London School of Coffee, before coming back to France to open Cuppa Coffee.

Amélie has a strong background in management and marketing. She also lived in London for 5 years, where she met Viviane whilst working in a digital marketing agency.

Market Overview

Domestic Market

83% of French people are self-proclaimed coffee lovers. Although coffee is consumed regularly at home, especially at breakfast, it also provides an opportunity for people to meet and catch up with friends and family.

While the French's enthusiasm for coffee is universally acknowledged, the American takeaway coffee culture is gradually developing, with 9% of the population calling into coffee shops every day for their caffeine fix.

Adjustments in working hours and shorter lunch breaks mean the French have less time to sit in a restaurant to enjoy a coffee, hence the appeal of coffee shops.

The French coffee shop market is dominated by three franchises which together hold nearly 60% of the market share: Colombus Café, Nescafé, and Starbucks.

Besides location, the most important criterion for a coffee shop is the quality of its services, both in terms of customer service and the overall atmosphere of the shop, as well as the quality of the drinks and food on offer.

In terms of figures, the annual turnover of an independent coffee shop open 11/12 months of the year is estimated at €194,850 (excl. tax) with an average spend of around €7 (incl. tax) per customer.

People aged 25 to 34 make up the majority of coffee shop customers. After that comes once-off customers who are passing by, placing an emphasis on the importance of the location in attracting tourists or office employees on the go.

The least receptive to the French coffee shop concept are people over 50 years old. While 92% of them drink coffee, they prefer drinking it in a restaurant or at home. There's still a long way to go before changing their perceptions of the takeaway coffee culture.

Local Market

In 2015, Caen was estimated to have 106,260 inhabitants. A population of 40,889 students was also recorded from 2017-2018, solidifying the presence of many potential coffee shop customers.

The city centre is an attractive point of focus. With a heavy influx of people making their daily commute between the city centre and the outskirts, its popular shopping district also attracts a wide variety of people both during the week and on weekends.

Students who live centrally tend to travel by tram to university, making them much more likely to opt for a takeaway coffee to accompany them on their commute each morning.

Finally, the vast number of tourists in Caen should not be overlooked. With 438,000 visitors to the Caen Memorial in 2014 and 10,029 visitors to the Abbaye aux Hommes, tourists fall within one of our target groups.

Financial Highlights

We expect to be profitable in our first year of activity with sales of €202,132 and an EBITDA of €11,515 (with a 5.70% margin) for year 1.

We expect to be able to continue to grow our business to reach €206,015 in sales and €21,842 in EBITDA (with a 10.60% margin) by year 3.

We anticipate positive cash generation over the plan as a whole, and the company should be sufficiently capitalized to be able to meet its loan repayments while maintaining a margin to deal with unforeseen events.

The opening of our coffee shop will require an investment of €81,000.

The partners have planned to contribute €36,000 (44% of the total), with a share capital contribution of €10,000 and a director loan of €26,000.

We would like to obtain a loan of €45,000 to finance the remaining amount.

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It is a very well designed software that allows you to visualise each step of your project, understand if the idea is viable or not and think about the steps needed to start your business.

The software is just impeccable. Of course, it meets the requirements of people starting a business. In addition to having a tool for putting together a proper financial forecast, there is also a tool to help write the business plan.

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Coffee shop business plan template faq.

A coffee shop business plan is a written document that sets out the commercial, operational and financial objectives of the company over the next 3 to 5 years.

It consists of two main parts:

• A written part that presents, in detail, your coffee shop business, the team, your strategy, and your medium-term objectives.
• A financial forecast that highlights the expected profitability of the coffee shop and the initial funding requirements.

The lack of business planning is one of the main reasons why more than 50% of startups fail within 5 years. If you're starting a coffee shop, writing a business plan is a must-have in order to reduce the risk of failure of your project.

Business plans are also required by most lenders and investors in order to secure financing, therefore a business plan is also highly recommended if you're seeking a loan or equity investment for your coffee shop.

Writing a coffee shop business plan without The Business Plan Shop can be both error-prone and time-consuming - whether you're new to entrepreneurship or experienced:

• You'll need to research the structure of a business plan, what to include in each section, and what key elements investors and lenders expect to see
• You may encounter writer's block (especially if it's the first time you're writing a business plan for your coffee shop)
• You'll need to create a financial forecast on a spreadsheet which requires a solid understanding of accounting and financial modelling in order to be done without error
• You'll need to spend hours formatting financial data on Excel or Sheets before it's ready to integrate into your business plan
• Any updates to your coffee shop business plan or financial forecast will need to be done manually

Luckily for you, The Business Plan Shop's online platform and coffee shop business plan template guide you through every stage of writing a business plan, so that you can spend more time managing and growing your business instead.

Our editor follows a best-in-class structure for professional business plans. Each section and subsection includes examples and instructions to help you, while our business plan templates provide further inspiration if you're stuck.

Our financial forecasting software helps you create a forecast and integrate it into your business plan with ease. Anytime you update your data, your business plan automatically updates.

And with our forecasting software all the calculations are done for you, without errors.

The budget to start and run a coffee shop will depend on the exact concept and location.

A small local coffee doing mostly takeaways with limited seating requires a limited investment. A bigger place with a large seated area, fresh food and table service will require a larger upfront investment and more staff to operate.

As an example, in our coffee shop business plan template the total initial funding requirement amounted to €81,000 (c. $87,000 or £70,000), with the founders contributing €36,000 (c. $38,000 or £31,000).

In order to assess the exact budget for your coffee shop idea, you need to do a financial forecast using a financial projection tool such as the one we offer .

The package we offer at The Business Plan Shop goes way beyond a simple blank template you need to fill. With our platform you get:

• Access to one of the best business plan software on the market
• Access to our coffee shop business plan template which contains a complete example of a written business plan and financial forecast to start a coffee shop
• Access to our entire business plan templates library - giving you dozens of examples to take inspiration from
• Access to our financial planning and analysis platform so that you can track the actual performance of your business against what you had planned in your business plan and re-plan easily

But you shouldn't take our word for it: try our solution for free and make your own opinion!

The free trial enables you to try the software for free during 7 days in order to verify that it meets your requirements before buying.

Some features are limited during the free trial, the main limits are:

• You can only create one business plan
• The financials of the first year are visible, but data for other years are hidden
• You can export your plan in PDF but not in Word or CSV
• No access to our business plan templates

You can create your account and start your free trial here .

Access to our template is included with all our paid subscriptions.

Please visit our pricing page to learn about this in more detail.

Other business plan templates and resources to discover

Starting a Coffee Shop Business Plan (PDF)

Coffee is a delicacy that’ll never get out of style because many people love it. The consumption of coffee is steadily and consistently growing and thus making a coffee shop business very lucrative. The beauty of the coffee shop business is that you can offer many remarkable coffee blends and associated food products that you don’t typically find in homes. This therefore means that as much as people might make coffee at home they would still prefer uniquely-made coffee from coffee shops. It’s also a common trend for people to meet-up for a business meeting or a date over coffee. So a coffee shop business is definitely a worthy undertaking that wields huge prospects. This article will outline how to start the coffee shop business, and the coffee shop business plan – PDF, Word and Excel.

Business Model

The coffee shop business is basically a retail type of business. As such the most common business model for a coffee shop is direct sales. The common items sold in a coffee shop are coffee and certain food snacks. There is room of course to expand the product and service range. For instance, you can find juices, smoothies, and fast foods being served in a coffee shop. The thrust is always to have diverse offerings so as to draw in more customers.

Market Research

Coffee consumption trends tend to be location-specific and highly segmented. There are even possible scenarios where introducing the idea of a coffee shop will be a very new idea to the target market in question. This all means that extensive research must be done to ascertain that a steady stream of customer inflows will be guaranteed.  It’s very possible that after setting up a coffee shop you can fail to get substantial customer inflows so be diligent in research. You must study your competitors. Find out what products or services they’re offering, operating hours, niching approaches, marketing strategies and pricing strategies. You must study the target market to have an idea of their average income levels and coffee consumption habits. The failure to plan is the beginning of business failure. You should ensure that you have a detailed coffee shop business plan before you venture into this business.

Location And Premises

A coffee shop should ideally be located at a place that has high volumes of vehicle and human traffic. In your choice of a location, ensure that you factor in the size of the pool from which potential customers will come from. Be absolutely sure about the income levels of people in that pool. Coffee shops are best situated at shopping centres, in residential areas, shopping malls, central business districts or strategic standalone locations. A coffee shop must be clearly visible to anyone moving up and down in the vicinity.

Your premises must be spacious enough to have parking space that adequately accommodates your customers. The building should be large enough to accommodate all your equipment, offices, and space for customers. Staff and customers must be able to move around without any inconveniences. Your coffee shop business plan should cater for the costs of buying or leasing the premises.

Competitive Analysis

The coffee shop is quite competitive in most places. There are numerous notable coffee shop brands you must consider. That does depend on where your coffee shop business will be located. In some parts of the world you might have to contend with the likes of Starbucks. You have to consider at least 3 significant coffee shops who are your direct competitors. Check out the type of services and products they offer. Study their customers and find out their preferences. Look into why they choose the locations they are using. Find out about their prices and payment options.

Study how they reach out to prospects and how they retain customers. You are doing all this to figure out your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. It also helps to study the dynamics around those who make their coffee at home. Understanding that can inspire strategies you can employ to appeal to that pool. There are many people who make their coffee at home so it a competition element you must study. That is why conducting some poll or survey to better understand people’s needs, comes in handy.

Equipment for a Coffee Shop

If you want to run a cutting-edge coffee shop then there’s a wide range of specialized equipment that you’ll need. Your equipment plays a major role in how your coffee shop will perform. You’ll require things like drip coffee makers (preferably automatic ones), espresso machines, coffee grinders, freezers, refrigerators, storage containers, ovens, toasters, POS system, cooking and baking gadgets plus utensils and blenders, amongst other equipment.  It’ll also be necessary to have cold counter displays or just basic display platforms or containers. So there’s a significant amount of money that’ll be required to purchase the equipment. Obviously tables, chairs, countertops, plates, saucers, spoons, cups, glasses and so on will be needed. The costs of purchasing the furniture and equipment should be included in the coffee shop business plan.

Permits/Licenses, Insurance & Business Bank Account

Start off with formally registering your coffee shop business. Get in touch with your local authorities to get guidance on applying for an operating license. Be prepared for some rigorous assessments which are typical when applying for a license to operate a food business. Contact reputable insurance providers to weigh your options in terms of getting the coffee shop business insured. It is financially prudent to open a separate business bank account for the coffee shop business. It is important that you separate your personal finances from the coffee shop business.

The major product of virtually any coffee shop is coffee or coffee-based beverages. There are also several other types of beverages and wide ranges of foods which are sold in coffee shops. A study of other players or your competitors will give you an idea of what products or services are popular in your area. Your menu has an effect on the number of customers that your coffee shop will attract, so you have to thoroughly research on this aspect. Some of the popular offerings are lattes, espressos, cappuccinos, americano, tea and different types of coffee (gourmet, flavoured, iced or specialties). There are other accompanying treats that can be included such as bread, cakes, bagels, cookies, sandwiches, donuts, croissant, pastries, salads, beverages, blended drinks (e.g. smoothies). The products that you will be offering should be included in your coffee shop business plan.

Staff And Management

Having expert baristas is vital for you to guarantee the production of high quality coffee. From the beginning you should have exceptional baristas working in your coffee shop. Focus on getting passionate and driven staff with hospitality and catering experience. The number of staff needed will depend on the size of your coffee shop and the range of services or products that you offer. Waiters plus cashiers will be needed – they must be passionate about customer care and service. Management size again depends on size of operations but to keep human resource costs low you can start with a lean management. Other required staff include accountants, supervisors, security team, stock controllers and managers, though this depends on the size of your coffee shop.

Your coffee shop should have sufficient number of well trained staff. This is because repeat purchases and ever-growing customer inflows are a product of swift and quality service from the staff. Having a small or skeletal staff makes it very difficult to provide swift service. Remember we are living in a fast-paced world where people don’t want to be kept waiting for too long. The salaries of all your employees must be catered for in the coffee shop business plan.

Marketing And Sales Strategies

Build a digital footprint.

This entails setting up a website and social media accounts. Then you have to actively post and engage with your audience. Your content must be characterised by alluring food visuals. You also have to incorporate online ordering and online payment options. You also have to include delivery options. This will go a long way in driving sales for your business. Regularly hold online contests meant to generate leads. Get notable social media influencers associated with your coffee shop business.

Hosting Events

You can offer a service where people can pay to host events at your coffee shop. This would entail them paying to use the venue and also paying for your food services. You can realize more money in a shorter time this way. Examples of events you can host can be luncheons, parties, weddings, presentations, and the like. Especially if your coffee shop is big and or has a big backyard, you can cash in on this. At the same time, this will put your coffee shop business’ name out there.

Attending Strategic Events

There are a number of events you can attend to showcase your coffee shop business. Such events serve a dual purpose i.e. brand awareness and revenue generation. For example, you can attend trade fairs, expos, entertainment events, and so on. Whilst marketing your coffee shop business you will also be generating revenue.

The market for coffee is huge and ever increasing. Demand for coffee continues to be dominated by instant coffee supported by consumers’ changing lifestyles, particularly amongst the younger generation, which is increasingly opting for convenience to suit their busy lives. More consumers are drinking coffee and spending time and money in restaurants and coffee shops. Some professionals and businesspeople make use of coffee shops for their meetings whilst some like to hang out in coffee shops during their breaks. You should invest lots of time and effort in marketing your business especially on the internet and social media. A proper marketing strategy should be included in the coffee shop business plan.

Keys To Profitability

Personalization or customization is key.

Customers prefer coffee shops that tailor their products or services to their needs. Coffee shops which are rigid and provide generic offerings will not cut it. Make it possible for customers to specify their needs and you should be able to provide them. Nowadays customers are keen on getting personalized or customized services. This is especially so for a coffee business so ensure you can provide that. Build a system that enables data collection and analysis. For instance, having an electronic point of sale system (EPOS) helps in this. This make is easier to know customer preferences and buying patterns informed by data. It will also be essential to inventory management which is pivotal in the coffee shop business.

Customer Loyalty Programme

Customer loyalty can be a huge driver of brand awareness for your coffee shop business. Customer loyalty needs to be encouraged and rewarded. Once customers know their loyalty gets rewarded they will actively spread word of mouth. They will work towards making referrals. The rewards you can offer can be discounts or certain goodies they can win. This marketing strategy is highly effective since most people prefer to try a food service recommended by someone. Customer loyalty programmes are also much cheaper than other marketing strategies. Profitability is boosted by effectively setting up a customer loyalty programme for your coffee shop business.

It is important to appreciate that niching in vital for a coffee business. Your coffee shop business must have a clear brand identity that appeals to a specific niche. Quality, convenience, and speed are core aspects you must ensure in your coffee shop business.

Pre-Written Coffee Shop Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the coffee shop business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive coffee shop business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the coffee shop business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global coffee shop business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your coffee shop business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. This is a complete business plan for a coffee shop. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the coffee shop business.

Uses of the Coffee Shop Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The coffee shop business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your coffee shop business
• As a coffee shop business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the coffee shop business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Coffee Shop Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The business plan for coffee shop includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in the coffee shop business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your coffee shop business

The coffee shop business plan package consists of 4 files

• Coffee Shop Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 85 Pages)
• Coffee Shop Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 85 Pages)
• Coffee Shop Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 42 pages)
• Coffee Shop Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the markup, salaries etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change. 

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Coffee Shop Business Plan (PDF)

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Get the Coffee Shop Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

We wish you the best in your coffee shop business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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Coffee Shop Business Plan Sample

• Fill the Form to Download Coffee Shop Business Plan Example

The coffee shop business plan is an essential tool for coffee shop owners and those who want to open a coffee shop.

A coffee shop business plan will give you an idea of how much a coffee shop will cost, how those costs will be funded, and how much money you expect to make from it. 

When it’s ready, you can show it to investors, banks, partners, and anyone else who can help you open a cafe. Getting this document right is worth your time and effort, so make sure you do it right.

After helping entrepreneurs in the USA launch more than 400 independent coffee shops , we know that a business plan is vital for success.

We are here to help you write a coffee shop business plan.

Here’s a business plan sample pdf and a template that will give you some inspiration for what should be included in your coffee shop business plan.

Coffee Shop Business Plan Template

1. Business Plan Title Page

2. executive summary, 3. market overview, 4. competitive analysis, 5. swot analysis, 6. marketing plan, 7. funding request, 8. management summary, 9. financial highlights, coffee shop business plan sample. faqs:, coffee shop business plan powerpoint presentation, download coffee shop business plan example pdf.

A coffee shop business plan template should include the following sections. Let’s look at a coffee shop business plan template and discuss what each section should include.

1. Business Plan Title Page 2. Executive Summary 3. Market Overview 4. Competitive Analysis 5. Swot Analysis 6. Marketing Plan 7. Funding Request 8. Management Summary 9. Financial Highlights

Start with the legal name of your business. Provide the address of a likely location or website if you already have one. Include your company logo at the top or bottom of the title page. On the title page, there should also be a table of contents listing each section and its page number.

What makes a great cover page for a business plan?

Visit our page on business plan cover page examples to download our free business plan cover page templates and create a beautiful cover page yourself.

The Coffee Shoppe will be a business service provider based in Miami, Florida. Founded by Mrs. Nancy Harrigan.  The Coffee Shoppe will offer a menu of services which include coffee, lattes, capacinos, expressos, deli sandwiches and baked goods.

While these services will comprise the initial market entry core, long-term plans call for the integration of storage and relocation capabilities to the business mix.

The local area has been in dire need of a service of this type for some time and The Coffee Shoppe plans to adequately serve them through the consistent delivery of real-time hospitality. 

The market is definitely filled with opportunities but in order to capitalize on them, a strong infusion of working capital must be acquiesced. 

The founder projects needing 100K for their business venture with repayment being made out of the profits that are driven annually. Funding that is secured will be used in a variety of areas including marketing, logistics, management, site procurement as well as the day to day operations of the organization.

The marketing for The Coffee Shoppe will be done through a variety of mediums including the Internet, mass media, print and networking. Internet efforts will center on the creation of a user-friendly website that clearly list all of the core services that will be offered. 

To read the full executive summary, click here to download the PDF

Read more: Executive summary examples

Financial Highlights

The Company is entering the market at a time when the industry in which it operates is experiencing substantial growth. According to market research firm IBIS World, the Coffee & Snack Shops Industry has seen an average annual growth rate of 5.8% over the last five years, positioning industry revenue to be around $47.7 billion in

2018. The Coffee & Snack Shops industry is projected to see an average annual growth rate of 1.4% over the next five years, placing industry revenue at $51 billion in 2022.

Market Analysis

Target Market

The following is a listing of the primary competitive advantages of the Companv upon entering the market

• Congenial customer service
• A central location wit greater foot traffic Parking facility available for customers
• Soothing ambiance for calm eating
• Excellent visibility from the road
• Aggressive marketing campaian
• Understanding visitors food choices and integrating the same in the menu
• Inviting feedback from customers
• Key understanding of trends and flavor
• The company will hire experienced management and staff

The following is an analysis of the  SWOT analysis of the coffee shop business as well as the opportunities and threats present in the market.

• Location. The location is one of the primary strengths of the The Coffee Shoppe business model as there are currently no other organizations that have the capabilities to offer the types of services that will be introduced to the market.
• The founder. Founder Nancy Harrigan is a seasoned, strategic business professional with an eye towards success, profit and achievement. These qualities will form the basis of the The Coffee Shoppe brand and be a catalyst that propels the success of the operation.
• Servicing of a need. The services that will be brought to the local residents of Miami are one that is truly needed. The fact that The Coffee Shoppe will be satisfying this need will endear the organization to the customer base and allow for consistently strong growth.
• Lack of funding. Funding is the sole weakness of the The Coffee Shoppe business venture. While funding is a weakness it should be noted that the founder is confident that if adequate funding is secured, she will be able to develop a viable business.

Opportunities

• Limited competition. The limited amount of local competition is the primary opportunity for The Coffee Shoppe as it will give the organization the opportunity to develop a loyal customer base while erecting barriers to entry.
• Small business growth. The projected growth of small businesses will provide another opportunity and will feed opportunities directly into the The Coffee Shoppe pipeline.
• Larger organizations. Larger organizations could possibly realize the opportunities that can be found in the local region and begin entering the market. While this is a threat, the founder believes that with strategic marketing, community efforts and customer service, this threat can for the most part be mitigated.

Free: Business Plan Examples

Do you need help creating a business plan? Check out these six free, proven business plan examples from different industries to help you write your own.

Marketing for The Coffee Shoppe will be done through a variety of mediums with television, print and the Internet being the primary drivers. The website will have SEO capabilities and will be developed using all of the latest in web and graphics technologies.

In addition to the home website, plans also call for the creation of a strong social media presence using Facebook.com and Twitter.com with regular updates occurring on each of the aforementioned pages.

Commercial time has already been purchased through ABC and commercial production will begin immediately following funding acquisition. Print marketing will consist of advertisements being placed in publications that are typically read by members of the targeted audience including small business owners and corporate types.

Networking will round out the The Coffee Shoppe marketing mix with the founder joining various networking groups that give her the ability to champion the brand that she has created.

Read more: how to do market research research

Read more: ways to find investors for your business

Financial Indicators

To learn more about financial indicators, click here to download the pdf

Break even analysis

Profit and Loss Statement

Projected Cash Flow

Projected Balance Sheet

Starting a coffee shop can vary greatly depending on location, size, and concept. On average, the initial investment can range from $80,000 to $300,000. This includes lease deposits, equipment purchases, inventory, permits, and marketing expenses.

The specific permits and licenses needed will vary based on your location and local regulations. Common requirements include health department approvals, business permits, food service licenses, and zoning permits. It’s crucial to research and comply with all necessary legal requirements.

A successful marketing strategy is essential for attracting customers. Utilize social media platforms, collaborate with influencers, and host events to create buzz around your coffee shop. Offering unique beverages, outstanding customer service, and a welcoming ambiance will keep customers coming back.

While it’s not mandatory, offering organic or fair trade coffee can attract environmentally conscious consumers. It also reflects your commitment to sustainable and ethical practices, which can build a loyal customer base.

Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales revenue, customer retention rates, average ticket size, and social media engagement. Analyzing these metrics will help you gauge the success of your coffee shop and identify areas for improvement.

Implementing a loyalty program, offering personalized perks, and providing excellent customer service are effective ways to retain customers. Engage with your audience on social media, respond to feedback, and continuously improve your offerings based on customer preferences.

Our free real sample business plans will show you how to write a plan that looks as polished and professional as this one.

Click to view the coffee shop business plan sample. Our experienced business plan writers professionally write each business plan and work with you to develop a winning plan.

We will show you some real-world business plan examples so you may know how to write your own, especially if you are seeking a bank loan or an outside investment and need to use SBA-approved formatting.

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Coffee Shop Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Business Plan Outline

• Coffee Shop Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan

Coffee Shop Business Plan

Whether you are planning to start a new business or grow your existing coffee shop, you’ve come to the right place to create your coffee shop business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their coffee shops.

A coffee shop business plan is used to start and/or grow your business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

Coffee Shop Business Plan Sample

Below are links to each section of our coffee shop business plan example:

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Coffee Shop Business Plan FAQs

What is a coffee shop business plan.

A business plan for a coffee shop is a plan to start and/or grow your business. Among other things, it includes your company overview, allows you to conduct a market analysis to identify your target market, includes a sample menu, presents your marketing plan and pricing strategy to attract your local customer base, details your sales forecasts, and provides the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement for your coffee shop.

You can  easily complete your coffee shop business plan using our Business Plan Template for a Coffee Shop here .

What Are the Main Types of Coffee Shops?

The different types of coffee shops include cafes, coffee bars and coffeehouses that sell coffee drinks and other snacks. Some coffee shops offer lunch and dinner menus and are close to being full-service restaurants. There are also coffee shops that are more accessible for people on the go or those who want to make their own coffee. These are retail coffee shops, drive thru coffee shops, coffee carts and trucks, and roasters or retailers.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenue and Operating Expenses for a Coffee Shop?

The primary source of revenue for many coffee shops come from its food and drink sales, which includes brewed coffee, coffee beans, seasonal drinks and refreshments, and baked goods. Gift card and merchandise sales like tumblers, mugs, and coffee makers also contribute to a coffee shop’s revenue stream.

The expected expenses for a coffee shop are the cost of coffee and food products, salaries and wages, rent, and advertising costs. 

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Coffee Shop?

Opening a coffee shop business can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 depending on the size and location of the business. Additional costs such as inventory, employee salaries, and marketing expenses can range from $5,000 to $15,000 per month.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Coffee Shop Business?

The best way to get funding for a coffee shop business is through a bank loan or utilizing your personal savings, business credit cards or borrowing from friends and family. You can also look into government grants or loans, or try to find a partner who is willing to invest in your business. Whatever route you choose, be sure to have a solid coffee shop business plan for potential investors including a sales and marketing plan as well as a realistic idea of how much money you need to get started.

How to Start a Coffee Shop?

• Determine the type of coffee shop business you want to open . There are many different types of coffee shops, from small mom-and-pop shops to large chains.
• Create a coffee shop business plan. This will outline your plans for starting and running your coffee shop. 
• Secure funding . You will need money to start and run a coffee shop, so you'll need to find investors or borrow money from a bank or other lending institution.
• Find a location for your coffee shop. This can be tricky, as you'll need to find a space that is affordable and has good foot traffic.
• Equip your coffee shop . You'll need to buy or lease equipment such as espresso machines, coffee brewers, and furniture in addition to the coffee beans and other food products you plan to sell.
• Hire staff . You'll need employees to run your coffee shop, so post job ads and interview potential candidates.

Learn more about how to start a successful coffee shop business:

• How to Start a Coffee Shop Business

Where Can I Get a Coffee Shop Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free coffee shop business plan template PDF here . This is a sample coffee shop business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Coffee Shop Business Plan

According to Statista, Americans consumed 26.5 million 60-kilogram coffee bags from 2018 to 2019. More than half of the US citizens relish the joy of good caffeine on a daily basis, which makes coffee shops a prominent deal in the country. This also makes a viable business venture. However, the question lies in whether or not you’ll make it as a coffee shop owner. Strategize your success with a reliable coffee shop business plan . This allows you to establish a formidable startup cafe through rigorous research and a thorough understanding of your objectives. Learn more about this in the article below.

6+ Coffee Shop Business Plan Examples

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What Is a Coffee Shop Business Plan?

A coffee shop business plan presents a comprehensive description of an entrepreneur’s cafe idea and plans to establish its operation. It provides a detailed account of the business sales and marketing ideas, competition evaluation reports , financial projections, and the nature of its services. On some occasions, a consulting business plan is presented by the owner to a prospective partner or investor in hopes of a sponsorship.

Why Have a Business Plan?

If you’re a startup in the cafe business, would you like to direct your focus first towards completing a load of paper works and research a.k.a your business plan? For most small-time business owners, it’s about getting things done head-on and directly setting up a small establishment, getting all the products in place, and waiting for the customers to start trickling in. Sometimes, it turns out well, but without a concrete sales and marketing business plan in place, it could result in the worst.

So, why have a business plan?

A business plan keeps everything organized. It helps you determine every detail of your business matters and helps you set up a process that will cater to them. This way, you won’t miss out on any requirements. This also helps you thrive in a competitive market because this demands you to look into your target market and the rest of your competition. Because a business plan requires you to oversee a financial analysis , this reduces the risk of you losing your funds because this helps you allocate your finances properly.

How to Make a Coffee Shop Business Plan

The coffee shop industry in the United States amounted to $47.5 billion in 2019 . This is a 3.3% increase from its rate in the previous year, which costs $45.4 billion. The coffee shop industry is steadily growing, with over 35,000 shops nationwide. Jumping into this massive and lucrative market will prove to be a struggle, especially when there are giant brands already in place. The only thing you can rely on to set you up to succeed has a well-prepared business plan. If you’re still learning how to do so, you might find the following guidelines helpful:

1. Commence with a Goal

There is never a plan without an objective. Your goals will serve as your plan’s pathway towards its success. Knowing where you want your business to end up will provide you with cues on how you’ll be able to make it happen. Start your plan by establishing a business goal-setting . Ask yourself how you want to see your coffee shop grow in a few years. To ensure that you’re treading on the right goals, make them SMART: specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and timely. These criteria will help you craft an action plan that you can execute on a timeline.

2. Study Your Target Market and Competition

In any business venture across all industries, two points of view can greatly affect the way you do your business: your target market and your competition’s standard. These matters take a huge spot on your business plan, so be sure to work on them during the process. Observe your competitor’s strategy and identify their strengths and weaknesses. Then, assess your own through a SWOT analysis and compare how you’ll be able to top their performance in the field. As for your target market, it’s always best to employ a market analysis to understand what affects their purchasing behaviors and what strategies and trends rank best on their preferences.

3. Map a Marketing Strategy

Your marketing strategy is the result of your competition and market research plan . This will tell you how you’ll sell your product’s best and how you will introduce your establishment to the market. This is where your advertising plans and special promotions belong. If you’ve been in the business for decades and would want to upgrade into a more modern coffee shop image, this plan would undoubtedly be discussed under your marketing plan’s strategy.

4. Have a Financial Plan in Place

Now that you’ve studied deep into your marketing and sales, as well as your business objectives, it’s time to settle your financial plan . Your business plan’s financial aspect should help you decide how your funds will be circulated to meet the needs of the business. This will include resources, lease payments, maintenance fees, and daily operational expenses. This will also include your projected profit increase and the details of your cash flow . If you got a bank loan to fund your entrepreneurial venture, your debt should take a significant place in the equation. This helps you plan money matters so you can efficiently manage them while you run the business.

5. Prepare Your Executive Summary Last

A business plan’s executive summary is on the first part of the document, as this will showcase a comprehensive review of your entire plan’s content. By order of succession, an executive summary should be taken care of first, but this could be impractical. You’ll fail at adding all relevant information on your summary without first completing the rest of the parts. Be sure to make your summary appealing because it will be the first thing your audience will see. This will be your plan’s hook if you opt to gather the attention of prospective partners and investors.

What are the different types of business plans?

The different types of business plans are:

• Startup Business Plan
• Traditional Business Plan
• Strategic Business Plan
• Growth Business Plan
• Feasibility Business Plan
• Operation Business Plan

What are the different parts of a business plan?

A business plan has seven essential parts. They are as follows:

• Executive summary
• Business synopsis
• Product and service description
• Marketing analysis
• Sales and marketing strategy
• Organization and operation
• Financial plan

What are the characteristics of a good business plan?

According to Chron, a good business plan has:

• Ample significant information on financial matters
• Clear identification of the business’ industry
• Inclusion of the operational and management features
• Information on how the business’ sales and marketing will function

With coffee being almost everyone’s morning energizer, go-to first date order, and late-night companion, it comes with no surprise that coffee shops and their ultra-relaxing ambiance are a huge hit. If you aspire to start your own neighborhood coffee shop, success shouldn’t be a daydream you play in your head over and over again; act on your objectives. Have a reliable coffee shop business plan to back you up. You won’t need to bother starting from scratch because our business plan template collection is here for you. Download now!

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16+ coffee shop business plan templates.

Why should you even care about a business plan in the first place? If you have the money and passion for doing a business, isn’t that enough? Understand one thing: a sample business plan is not something you can walk away from. If you do not have a business plan, there will be nothing for you to fall back on when something goes wrong. A simple business plan is the blueprint of the business. If your coffee business must succeed, then a restaurant plan must be the number one document to create.

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The objective of the business, target market, the marketing plan and strategy, new competitive advantage coffee shop business plan.

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Wake up and smell the opportunity! Do you make a mean cup of joe? A love for quality coffee and a desire to create a warm, cozy coffee shop or cafe could blend to create the newest caffeine hub for your community. Plan for success with our coffee shop business sample plans.

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Restaurants, Food and Drink | Swadesi Cafe offers Chicago a Western coffee…

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Restaurants, food and drink, restaurants, food and drink | swadesi cafe offers chicago a western coffee shop experience that’s distinctly indian.

The masala chai is as it should be. The familiar flavors of cardamom and ginger are an antidote to almost anything. Everyone always takes a sip before it’s sufficiently cooled and ends up burning their tongues. So did I.

Swadesi Cafe in the West Loop opened on March 26 and offers customers the sense of sipping chai at home but with a modern menu that beautifully marries French and Indian culinary styles. Pastry chef and co-founder Yash Kishinchand has received training in the French style and his co-founder, chef Sujan Sarkar, looks to reinvent Indian dishes using French techniques. The results are customer favorites: the butter chicken and samosa chaat croissants that combine popular Indian and French delicacies.

Sarkar drew inspiration for Swadesi from the coffee shops in Kolkata, India, which he said really serve tea. “I wanted to create the same space of coming together and chatting but with a modern approach.”

Food and chai are integral parts of Indian culture. It’s insulting to refuse what your host offers you. I remember accompanying my mother as she visited her aunts as a young child. While the adults talked, I stuffed myself with samosas, coffee, biscuits and if I was lucky, chocolate.

Swadesi took me instantly back to those moments from my childhood. The wicker-backed furniture and plant motif wallpaper look straight out of an Indian household. Combined with the floor-to-ceiling windows, the result is a spacious room that is cozy and warm.

For the first time since moving to America, I gave the barista my full name instead of the shortened Americanized version “Mal” that I go by now. I felt like I belonged.

Swadesi in Hindi means “of our own country” and relates to India’s independence struggle. Launched in 1905, the Swadesi movement sought to boycott British goods in favor of domestic products. For Sarkar, who also owns Michelin-starred Indienne in River North, it is easier. “The word desi is already familiar to refer to Indians so why not name this cafe Swadesi?” he said.

Kishinchand, 24, wanted Swadesi to be a space where people brought their friends and family for a cup of chai and to catch up. “My goal is to bring Indian food to those who grew up like me trying to fit into an American bubble.”

Born and raised in Kolkata, Sarkar has already established himself in the culinary business in America. In all his restaurants, he redefines traditional Indian flavors. “I need to feel a connection with India despite being across the world,” Sarkar said.

South Asians are extremely emotional about food because of the memories we have hanging around the kitchen and sneaking bites before the meal. It’s in our DNA to make sure everyone has more than enough food to eat.

Swadesi’s South Asian customers have quickly embraced the unique menu. Some of these combinations may not initially make sense, but they do on the palate. The dirty chai tiramisu plays with the classic texture of the mascarpone, but the flavors of chai are a pleasant surprise. The jaggery latte is similar to the caramel latte but has a slightly different texture. A signature drink and a personal favorite is the beautifully presented rose and orange latte. It’s Rooh Afza, a popular South Asian summer beverage usually paired with milk, in a new avatar.

“We’re not doing anything different except playing with the flavors so there’s definitely nostalgia for South Asians,” Kishinchand said.

Probably the most important question: Will South Asian parents, known to be picky about food, approve of these modern takes?

“My parents are adapting as I’m growing up and they get excited to see how American culture is adapting to Indian cuisine. This is a high-end Western coffee shop experience but with Indian flavors,” said customer Trupti Patel, 32, who is keen to bring her parents to Swadesi as they loved Indienne.

According to Kishinchand, the perception of Indian cuisine has shifted in recent years from takeout to fine dining.

“Our goal is modernizing the cuisine and creating things that people haven’t seen. We want to provide avenues to experience the cuisine despite being late to the game,” he said.

Sarkar said his restaurants in Chicago target different markets and needs. “You won’t go to Indienne every week so you might visit Swadesi or Sifr .”

While Swadesi will not become a franchise, Kishinchand and Sarkar still have plans to expand to include an evening menu, beer, wine and cocktails. “We’ll have Indian producers and Indian flavored cocktails and maybe comedy shows and pop-ups at night,” Kishinchand said. Sarkar also aims to carry shelf items like tea sourced from India.

Sarkar’s cooking stems from childhood nostalgia but he said that every trip to India inspires him further. “There is so much more available now than when I was a kid and I try to bring those changes here too,” he said.

“I want to re-create the malai toast which is malai (cream) and sugar on toasted bread. With summer, gola (crushed ice dipped in flavored syrups) and tamarind-based drinks would be nice,” Sarkar said while noting that customers should expect modern versions.

The cafe closes at 4 p.m. most days, but even at 3:55 p.m. there’s a line of customers waiting to place their orders. Last-minute lattes and takeaway orders are being prepared but the seated customers show no signs of leaving. The butter chicken and samosa chaat croissants I hope to order have run out, so I take home a chicken tikka toastie and breakfast sandwich instead. I have no complaints because I know I will return to Swadesi to claim my croissants another day.

Malavika Ramakrishnan is a freelance writer.

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