June, Tuesday morning. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee hangs in the air, and in the background, the sound of frothed milk interspersed with conversation and Billy Joel's singing. A man in his thirties in a suit, a project manager by the looks of him, walks in through the glass doors. Right behind him, a woman with a Border Collie, who runs straight to a bowl of water. Someone asks for oat milk, someone else chooses a dessert to go with their coffee… Stop! You need to approach the topic of your own business with your head on your shoulders, not necessarily in the clouds. That's why we've prepared a short guide on how to open your own coffee shop.

A guide on how to open your own coffee shop in 7 steps

Times are what they are. Okay, inflation might not be conducive to starting a business, but if that's your dream – go for it. How?

Explore the area

Find a spot where your coffee shop can thrive. Research the neighborhood. The center of a large city? The immediate vicinity of a university or a corporation employing hundreds of people? Observe passersby – consider whether people will want to linger inside for a moment, or whether they'll be more inclined to grab a coffee to-go. This is where your strategy begins to take shape.

Think about the idea for the premises

Modern or industrial style? Solid wood or colorful furniture? Cozy or elegant? You have to answer these questions yourself, because ultimately, you know best what you dream of. Ergonomics and work organization behind the bar are crucial – the place should be practical first, and beautiful second. Besides interior design and decorations, you'll also need ideas on how to attract customers. Perhaps workshops with the best baristas in the industry or acoustic concerts?

Calculate your budget

Start by determining all the costs associated with starting and maintaining your business, such as space lease, equipment, decorations, furniture, supplies, staff, marketing, etc. Don't forget to also factor in fixed costs like rent, utilities, insurance, and other fees. Keep in mind that it takes two to three years for restaurants to start generating revenue. Remember that in addition to startup costs, it's a good idea to build in a financial reserve for unforeseen expenses or potential downturns in your cafe.

Find trusted suppliers

Conduct market research and gather information on suppliers, checking their prices, reputation, and customer ratings. Ask for recommendations from other cafe and restaurant owners. Schedule meetings with potential suppliers and request product samples. If you'd like to offer desserts or other meals, work together to determine your specific product needs. Choose the perfect beans, a decent coffee machine, and coffee-making accessories (you'll find all of this at LaCava).

Sanitary Inspectorate

Running a café also requires adhering to health and safety regulations. Contact your local sanitary and epidemiological station to learn about current hygiene and safety requirements for the catering industry. Ensure your café complies with all of them.

Employees

It's up to the employee whether a customer returns to their coffee shop or not. Look for people who are passionate about working with coffee. Yes, knowledge about beans, brewing methods, and customer service is also helpful, but all of this can be learned (e.g., through training at LaCava ). Employees with a passion for coffee will be able to create an unforgettable experience for customers and contribute to the success of your coffee shop. And that's the point, right?

Request a consultation

Basic knowledge of coffee beans, latte art, brewing methods, marketing workshops, or more advanced training are all important. After all, your café is meant to thrive! Even if you don't want to be behind the bar yourself, you should know what to do and how to supervise your employees.

And if you're going to train, train with the best! Daria Figaszewska is LaCava's Head Barista and an Authorized Specialty Coffee Association (AST) Trainer. She's one of only a few in Poland to conduct prestigious, internationally recognized SCA certified training for current and future baristas and bar staff. In addition to training, she also provides consultations for those looking to develop their careers in the coffee industry. Find out how Daria can help you here !

And good luck! We'll pop in for coffee sometime!