Cafes are some of the most popular restaurants right now because they’re perfect for eating an entire meal or just drinking a cup of coffee. If you’re thinking about opening a new cafe, make sure to consider these three elements as you draft your business plan.
1. Sound System
Every good cafe has a great sound system for playing canned music and hosting live bands. Invest in technical equipment such as power supplies, RF power dividers, speakers, amplifiers, and a variety of speaker cables. Don’t forget an auxiliary cord so that you can hook up your phone to the system during normal hours.
2. Decorations
What kind of vibe do you want to create with your cafe? Perhaps it has a nerdy, bookish atmosphere, with shelves of board games, retro armchairs, and wood floors. Maybe you prefer a sleek, modern ambiance, so you install bars and stools around the perimeter, add metal tables, and invest in abstract art for the walls. Figuring out your atmosphere and decor now allows you to budget for these items in your initial business plan rather than asking for more money later.
3. Target Market
Who are you gearing your food, drinks, and decorations towards? Identifying your target market helps you ensure that your products don’t flop and that your atmosphere is appropriate. For example, if you’re targeting your products at young families, you don’t want loud music or high barstools. On the other hand, if you want Millennials to come, sourcing your products locally should be a priority.
If you’ve always dreamed about opening a cafe, it’s time to make that dream come true by thinking about these three practical concerns. Once you’ve addressed all of them, you’re ready to identify potential premises, draft your first budget, and start talking to investors about funding.
