I went to my favorite Seattle’s Best in Ayala but unfortunately they do not have internet connection either. No wonder there were only few people sipping coffee last night. Then I tried my second favorite coffee shop, The Coffee Bean. The same problem I am facing.

In a place like Cebu, there are a lot of coffee shops and most often than not, businessmen are what you likely to see in there. Seldom, you will see students. Most of all, you will see people not just sipping hot or cold coffee but they are surfing the net. Personally I go to coffee shop for two reasons. One is to relax and second is to surf the net.

Because of the incident last night and today I realize how the internet connection impacted the coffee shops with regards to getting in customers. Customers wanted more than just coffee. If you have internet connection as your value added service you will surely have a lot customers compared to those who have no such service. One time I went to Figaro Coffee Shop but they do not have that service so I never go there again. Their coffee seemed sour when I sip it without surfing the net LOL

I love to have my own coffee shop in the near future so I have to put this service as my top on the list.

For starters, actually go to your competition. I know this doesn’t sound like something you’re going to enjoy doing, but consider it research. Go look and see how they have their establishments setup. See what kind of menus they have. A coffee shop is more than just coffee. The more competition you check out, the better an idea you’ll have of how to compete.

Next, you want to study their ad campaigns. Everybody advertises differently based on their USP, but they all do have things in common. Look for those similarities. There are some basic things that you’re going to want to convey to your target market. The primary things are:

The quality of the coffee and food

The atmosphere of the shop

The price

A lot of people say that there’s not a big difference between one coffee and another. Those people are NOT real coffee drinkers. Trust me…there is a difference. If you’re looking to cater to the guy driving an 18 wheeler on route 9, he’s going to expect a different quality of coffee than the guy who has on a $2,000 suit and doesn’t buy anything off the rack. You have to know who your target market is and what kind of coffee they’re going to expect.

Finding your USP is really as simple as looking at your product, in your case, your coffee shop, and deciding what it is about it that makes it different from everybody else

People from every walk of life realize the pleasure and enjoyment found in an expertly brewed cup of coffee. Whether reading the daily newspaper, studying for college exams, entertaining clients, or socializing with friends, coffee is the perfect complement to any activity and the warm, friendly environment of a cafe is the ideal setting.

From classic modern design to trendy chic; or, from quaint Victorian to cozy country, cafes are popular social gathering spots for every crowd. They provide a place to unwind and relax and offer a comfortable venue for business executives to work or busy moms to recharge.

Every coffee shop owner knows that layout, design, and décor are important to the attractiveness and success of their cafe. Selecting furnishings to complement and enhance the theme will appeal to patrons and make each cafe stand out from all the rest.

Modern/Contemporary

Give the coffee shop a stylish urban look with metal furniture accented with upholstery and patterns in primary colors such as red, blue, or yellow. Include a mix of square tables and high round tables in lacquered black or light colored wood. Add a couple black leather couches and coffee tables in a contemporary design. Complete the look with sleek track lighting, simple framed mirrors, and modern sculptures and artwork.

Victorian

Create an elegant or whimsical ambiance with simple wooden tables and chairs. Use plain, embroidered, or lace tablecloths accented with intricate hand blown glass vases filled with fresh cut flowers. Include wooden bookcases decorated with an assortment of Victorian era items and cover walls with prints of Victorian homes or pastoral scenes. Adding white painted sideboards and a variety of floor and table lamps will give the room a cozy yet opulent feel. In pleasant weather, create a Victorian sidewalk cafe by placing a couple of wrought iron tables and chairs outside. Complete with wildflower arrangements and hand painted mugs.

Beachfront

From the sandy shores to a busy boulevard, you can give your coffee shop a casual beachfront aura that will attract those looking for a place to relax and refresh. Use simple picnic style tables and benches or dress it up a little with plain wooden tables and metal framed wicker chairs. Accent with large beach umbrellas or tiki palm thatched umbrellas and huts. Complete the look with palm trees, bowls of tropical fruit or bamboo torches.

Traditional

Create a comfortable, familiar environment with a traditional décor offering a little bit of everything. Wooden square tables with chairs painted in contrasting colors will add a perfect blend of country and contemporary, making everyone feel welcome. Add glass display cases, large chalkboards for handwritten menus, and a bookcase containing a variety of magazines or books for patrons to peruse while enjoying their coffee and treats.

Pet Friendly

Catch onto the newest trend in coffee shops – the pet friendly environment – with a décor that will make four legged creatures feel as welcome as their owners. Have an enclosed area for pets or allow them to mingle freely. Include tables with paw print patterns and cover walls with pictures of cats, dogs, and other pets, designating a special portion for photos of local pet patrons. And, remember to have a few plush doggy beds scattered around the room.

Rustic

For a relaxed nature theme, use wooden tables and mismatched chairs, or slab tables with long benches. Add a couple of large brown leather chairs, coffee tables made from slices of tree trunks, and even a few antique pieces. Accent with oil lamps and paintings of country scenes, and display products in stacked wooden crates or on unvarnished shelves.

Cafes are a great place to work, relax, and socialize with friends, and the choice of coffee shop furniture and décor is an important part of making each cafe comfortable and unique.

With regard to managing staff, Don quickly realized something that was contradictory to accepted beliefs: the customer does not come first – your staff should come first! If your employees are happy, then they will give excellent service to your customers, and your customers will be happy. So, it is worth taking note of the following points:

1. Teach your staff how to handle difficult situations. If you observe them handling a difficult situation badly, do not criticize. Tell them “I don’t know how I would have dealt with that problem – I’ll need to think about it”

2. Treat your staff with courtesy and respect. They will usually give the same in return.

3. Discuss your training requirements with your supervisors before you begin to train your staff, so that your management structure is cohesive and working towards the same goals.

4. Set weekly or monthly training sessions. Use these sessions to highlight strengths and weaknesses of your staff, and ask your staff if there are any points they wish to raise.

5. NEVER reprimand any member of staff in front of other staff or customers. If you have a complaint with their work, discuss this in private.

6. If you have a problem with a member of staff, raise the problem you wish to discuss and finish with praise. If you manage your staff with tact, they will listen to your complaint without resentment.

7. Finally, remember – you are creating a team, without your team you do not have a business.

With regard to the location of a coffee shop, many people overlook this starting point. They look for a shop that will cost them the least rent and tell themselves that their shop will be run so well that people will flock to it. But remember, consumers are fickle! And lazy! If your shop is not in the right place, whatever you do and whatever you offer, your business will be limited by its location.

So, don’t commit yourself to any premises until you know how many people will pass by your shop each day. You will be investing a huge amount of your time and money into your new business and you really won’t want it to fail. Put aside as much time as possible to find the best position for your shop. Take a clipboard and stand outside a popular coffee shop – count how many people walk past the shop and how many stop for a coffee. Do this at different times of the day, and different days of the week. Take a note of the nearby shops that are attracting shoppers – you need your coffee shop to be convenient for people who “shop ’til they drop” and then need refreshment.

On average, customers tend to spend around £4 a head in a coffee shop, perhaps slightly more in expensive areas. You can use this as a basis to work out how many customers you will need per day to cover your costs and make a profit. So, if your operating costs, which will include repayment of setting up costs, wages, food, utility bills and last, but not least, profits, require you to make £3500 per week, you will need at least 125 people per day spending a minimum of £4 each, to give you the £500 needed per day, based on a 7 day working week.

So remember – do the maths first and foremost and make sure your shop is in a location where it will have enough passing trade to cover your costs. Treat your staff well and you are on the way to turning coffee into gold!

If you love coffee, you can most likely find a lucrative coffee business opportunity that will fit your start-up capital and your lifestyle. You can start with a mobile service, upgrade to a kiosk or invest in a high-traffic storefront. In addition, you can partner with other companies to cut your expenses and grow your profits – such as event planning businesses, catering services or hotels.

No matter what type of coffee business you decide to start, free samples are always a good way to get your business name out there and get your foot in the door with prospective customers. With a café, you can entice new customers with special events that feature local photographers, painters or musicians. You can often provide this “entertainment” for free, as these artists welcome the opportunity to promote their own talents.

In addition to the traditional advertising opportunities you have in the yellow pages, local newspapers and radio stations, you can print low-cost coupons to bring in new customers. Hold monthly drawings for a “free coffee drink” to get customers to give you their contact information so you can build a mailing list. Another simple technique is to offer discount coffee cards (“Buy 8, get one free”) to encourage people to become regular customers.

Delivering free coffee to a radio station is another inexpensive way to get your business name out there – in front of lots of people. Submitting a press release is a great example – the media will promote you for free if you send them a great news story about your business. This could be as simple is having your friend write a review about your “Café Opening” and sending it to your local paper.

So how do you actually start your coffee shop?

1. Learn your business – different coffee flavors, the various ways of preparing coffee, caffeinated beverage trends and new and different coffee products. Your knowledge will help your business stay competitive and profitable. Get an inexpensive start-up guide on how to start a coffee shop or interview a coffee shop owner who can give you first-hand advice.

2. Discover who your customers are. Obviously, they are most likely caffeine addicts – but what else do they want, and what are they willing to pay for it? (i.e. social atmosphere, relaxing work space, fast drive-through service, healthy meals, late-night hours) When you can create a unique café that offers value to the community, you’ll find it much easier to win over customers.

3. Find out which licenses or permits you need from your local government office. Talk with an accountant, insurance agent and banker (you can get referrals from other local business owners or friends) to get helpful tips on financing, tax issues, insurance and business management that will save you time, money and hassles down the road.

Get Started!

Coffee is generically everywhere. People will pay for something a little different. Use your creativity to design a truly unique coffee service or café environment, and you’ll find that customers come flocking to your door. Businesses that provide coffee products or services can flourish even in a down economy, so if you want to start your business – go for it!

Coffee is the most loved drink because of the rich aroma and delightful flavor it offers. The caffeine content also drives people to drink more coffee. The state of South Carolina particularly in Columbia is home of several coffee shops. The cafes here serve different types of coffee and have their own specialties. They are worth visiting and trying their unique coffee mixes.

Jammin Java Music & Coffee House
The perfect place to have a cup of coffee is in Jammin Java Music & Coffee House. It is located in 1530 Main Street Columbia South Carolina. This nicest and best Columbia’s coffee house is not only a coffee house but as well an art and music venue.

The Jammin Java Coffee House is committed to serve the public a complete menu. They have teas, hot and cold deli sandwiches, garden salads, soups, and entrees, various kinds of desserts and most especially specialty and gourmet coffees. And Jammin Java’s coffee beverages are made of hot, iced, frappe blended; and caffeinated, decaffeinated, in whole, skinny which is made with skim milk or soy milk.

There are also souvenir items for sale available at the coffee house. These include handmade coffee mugs, sweatshirts, t-shirts, compact discs, magazines, and books. They are open to serve as venues for special events, private parties, live music and artist showcases.

And some of the artists or bands who are frequent in Jammin Java to have their live performances include Hannah Miller, Red Perspective, ZuZus Petal, Don Russo, Patrick Davis, Like Father Like Son, and more.

The coffee house is opened Monday to Friday from 7am to 3pm. It is closed every Saturday and Sunday.

Coffee Beanery Limited
The Coffee Beanery Limited is a café known for great coffee in a warm relaxing environment. It is located in 100 Columbiana Circle Columbia South Carolina. It serves specialty coffees and coffee drinks as well desserts.

The Coffee Beanery specialty coffees are developed exclusively. This means it is Right Roast Registered. Among their exceptional coffees include Flavored Coffees, Origins and Blends, and Decaf. The Flavored Coffees are basically hand flavored. They use only the finest ingredients. Their mixes do not contain alcohol, sugar and or calories.

The Origins and Blends are processed through Special Proprietary Roasting Process. This method is able to result to a roasted coffee that consists of best quality, Right Roast. And their Decaf Coffees are processed through the Swiss Water Process and thus the coffee does not contained chemicals at all.

Some of the top favorites of Coffee Beanery are the Cafe Carmel, Amaretto, Banana Nut Cream, Chocolate Raspberry, Cinnamon Holiday Blend, Double Dutch Fudge, Michigan Cherry, Sinful Sundae, Espresso, Colombian Supremo, Breakfast Blend, Beanery Blend Decaf, Butter Rum Decaf, Crème Brulee Decaf, English, and Toffee & Cream Decaf.

The Coffee Beanery also offers merchandise at affordable prices such as mugs, teapots, gift sets, and coffee makers and accessories.

Iron Brew Coffee
The Iron Brew Coffee situated in 1047 Berea Road Columbia South Carolina is distinguished for small batches of wholesale or retail of Arabica beans. Their Arabica beans are came directly from Cerrado Estate Farmers in Brazil. This Cerrado region is famous for producing some of the finest best quality coffee beans in the world. Such coffee beans described as smooth, aromatic, and rich in flavor.

This Iron Brew Coffee employs the very old methods of roasting their coffee in batches. The methods ensure that the essential oils are captured from the hand picked, naturally processed beans.

By fitting a little bit of each century into modern coffee shops, they remain a force to be reckoned with.  Two friends can find a quiet place there to have a real conversation, away from the din of the pub.  Others go to sample the best coffee in the neighborhood and catch up on some reading.  Meanwhile, all of the freelancers and telecommuters enjoy the ability to work with an internet connection and have the same type of social element they left when they gave up on the traditional office environment.

Maybe the biggest difference between old fashioned coffee houses and their modern counterparts is the coffee itself.  These days, besides the improvements on the part of farmers (in both growing and storage), the global character of the business world has brought the best coffee available to the hands of any company willing to do the homework and pay the import prices.  Bringing this coffee into local shops has only increased the popularity of the café.

For investors considering putting money into a franchise, coffee shops are one of the businesses that are likely to succeed.  Looking at the profitability of domestic and international coffee suppliers, the numbers are encouraging to any investor.  While the trend began with high quality coffee in a comfortable environment, the role of specialty drinks has definitely increased.  Elaborately designed coffee beverages which could rival specialty cocktails in complexity are now pulling in considerable prices with an excellent profit margin.

A quick tour through any community will bring to light a number of potential spots for a coffee franchise.  Many brands have the potential to have an impact immediately.

Anyone looking to open a coffee franchise should have the ability to create a welcoming, interesting atmosphere.  Whether it’s putting together a series of events or getting the right staff to work for you, the right feeling in your coffee shop makes all the difference.  You might want to consider live music or spoken word performances as ways to attract attention.

Setting the right tone for your café is important, as it will become a social center before you know it.  Customers of all ages should feel welcome, from teens who aren’t ready for the pubs to anyone looking for a lively, relaxing place.

One great choice if you are in the Capitol Hill area is Pablo’s Coffee, which is found on 6th Avenue. This is a neighborhood coffee house that also works as a roaster, so you can count on finding incredibly fresh roasts brewed for your pleasure. This coffee house also offers teas and baked goods to snack on, and it is easy to find at its corner location. You will find the service to be friendly and involved in helping you choose the best brew for you, including answering any questions you may have.

If you are in the Littleton area of Denver, then you will want to check out Calder’s Coffee. This is a bright and fun surprise within a strip mall, and it has a pleasant and warm atmosphere. If you are a book lover, you can find a variety of books on the bookshelves, including board games to entertain yourself as you wait for some friends. This coffeehouse location has free WiFi available, and it also features large and comfortable couches, so you can curl up and get your work done without any interruptions. If you are interested in learning more about latte art, then this is certainly the place to go. Their latte art is an impressive addition to your drink order, and they also have snacks and food available!

Common Grounds is certainly a hot spot in the downtown area, and it is a great place to grab a cup of Joe on your break from work. It is found on Wazee and 17th St., and it is an ideal place to relax and people watch amidst the downtown hubbub. They also serve pastries, pies, ice cream, and teas, and you can purchase whole coffee beans to take home. Free WiFi is available, and this coffee shop has a nice and comforting atmosphere with a number of windows, wood floors, and a bright feel to the place.

Peaberry Coffee is a fantastic choice in the Cherry Creek area, and it was also voted the best coffee shop in Denver in 2004. This shop has a friendly atmosphere with free WiFi, and they also offer a huge variety of roasts, including organic selections. Just as a point of reference, peaberry coffee is a rare and coveted roast by coffee connoisseurs alike, so make sure to try a cup when you visit this location! This is a coffee house local to Colorado, and it provides a warm place to stop and relax when you are in the Cherry Creek area.

The bottom line is that Denver is a diverse city full of incredible coffee house locations to relax with your cup of Joe!

This issue is going to focus on location.

Location, location, location.

If you watch baseball, have you ever noticed how many times the announcer would say something like, “It’s not how hard you throw the baseball but where you throw it.”

Truth is, a major league hitter can hit a baseball no matter how hard you throw it. However, if you throw it at just the right spot, he can’t touch it.

The same is true for starting a coffee shop. You can put up the fanciest coffee shop in the whole world, but if your location is all wrong, your business is going nowhere.

Okay, so what do you want to look for as far as location goes?

Well, for starters, you want an area that is accessible to some form of transportation. If you’re in the middle of a busy intersection with lots of through traffic, this is ideal. But what if you can’t get such a location? A next best choice would be an area that is at least walking distance from public transportation, whether it be bus or train.

If you can afford the rent, a great location for a coffee shop, as I am sure you have seen, is inside a crowded mall. Malls not only get the folks that drive in but the ones that take the buses and trains as well.

Another thing to look for is an area where there are a lot of businesses. Why is this important? Because lots of businesses mean lots of people who work and need coffee breaks. If you’re near a large office building, this is an ideal location.

But probably the most important thing of all is checking out the location of your nearest competition. If you think you’re going to put up a successful coffee shop in an area that already has a Starbucks AND a Dunkin Donuts, you are going to have your work cut out for you…not to mention if there are already diners and other cofffee shops in the area.

So make sure you carefully examine the area where you are thinking of putting your shop.

A bad location can kill your business right from the start.

Well, good, trend setting interior design may have something to do with it!  And the fact that a visit to the coffee shop is a social occasion which people are happy to pay for.  So take advantage of your customer’s willingness to part with their money, and give them what they want – good design and comfortable surroundings!

Here are some tips for choosing and then working with your coffee shop designer:

Research the market for coffee shop designers – visit catering trade shows and ask exhibitors for their recommendations.  If you visit a coffee shop where you are knocked out by the design, ask the manager for the name of the design company. Subscribe to catering magazines, and study the design articles.
Remember, your future customers have had many years to become accustomed to expert design, and they will be looking for this in your shop.  So make sure you will have access to enough funds to provide the high design standards they will expect.
Do not scrimp on the design.  If you compromise on the design to save on your budget, you risk wasting all of your money, as customers will not return if they are unimpressed with your coffee shop.
Your designer should provide you with realistic costs for a design that can compete and even improve upon the high street chains.  Remember, your designer will have designed for many other businesses and knows what sells.  Keep this in mind if his quote seems very high!

Ask if your design company works with a quantity surveyor so that they can provide you with detailed project costs before any major work begins.  Arrange for regular updated costs to be provided on a regular basis throughout the project so that you have time to react if further funding is required.  Remember, many building projects involve unforeseen costs which only become evidence once work has commenced.

As the new coffee shop owner, you will be in control of most of the areas of your business.  In dealing with a designer, you will have to ‘take your foot off the throttle’ and trust in his/her knowledge and skills.  A good designer will be studying design trends around the world and will need a certain amount of freedom to come up with a fresh, creative design for your business.

Once you have the agreed design for your coffee shop, ask your designer to design the graphics for your company website so that it complements your business.