Picture this: A cold, windy autumn morning. People are chilled to the bone and pouring into your coffee shop to warm up with the best coffee in the best coffee shop in town.

Smells great, right?

Do you love coffee? Maybe even spend too much on your morning lattes? Many people do and that’s one reason coffee shops are booming. Easier and more profitable than a full-fledged restaurant, a coffee shop can be a great way to experience the food and beverage business.

Scout your area and see how many coffee shops are there now. Spend some time in them and see what they do well, and what could be improved. How is the pricing? What else do they sell? Do their customers seem happy with their product? Do they hang out or actually spend money there? Is the location great or is there a better place available?

The home office boom means more and more people will need a coffee shop for doing business. (Even those of us who work at home need a place to meet clients, do research and just take a break once in awhile.) Include affordable high-speed internet access and you could quickly build up a crew of regulars who visit often. Combine a small gathering place with a convenient drive-through and you can keep your cash registers ringing.

Of course, you will need more than just coffee. There are plenty of products you can also sell. Soft drinks, fountain sodas, iced and hot teas, hot chocolate, bottled water and even milk are some alternatives for non-coffee drinkers. You can add muffins and bagels for the breakfast crowd; sandwiches, biscotti and desserts for later in the day.

Other ways you can increase the profitability of your coffee shop:

--Sell reading material—daily newspapers and perhaps a few magazines. Maybe even a “Book of the Month”.
--If you are open in the evenings, add entertainment once or twice a week in the form of poetry readings, featured starving musicians, open mike night, and so on.
--Be creative with new coffee recipes, blends and specials so your customers will keep trying new products.
--Sell coffee mugs, makers, blends and so on.

With great coffee, a well-trafficked location, a cozy atmosphere and excellent personal service, you can succeed at running your own coffee shop and might even take coffee to a whole new level! Cheers to your future java joint success!

Here are some additional resources if you are considering opening your own coffee shop:

Subscribe to Tea and Coffee Trade Journal to keep abreast of what’s happening in the world of tea and coffee.

Read Start and Run a Coffee Bar.

Or, Click Here to Discover How to Become a Coffee House Owner