Open a Cafe

If you dream of that cozy little café on the corner enticing visitors to come inside, it may not be as far off as you think. Making the decision to open a café is not an overnight choice. A lot of thought and planning must go into any business undertaking. Mapping out a complete and thorough business plan is always your first action.

A business plan will allow for a greater description of your café. If there is a certain theme or style you wish to apply to the café it will need to be expressed in as much detail as possible. Investors and business partners want to see that you have clearly thought out all aspects and possess a strong vision. The choice to purchase or lease your structure will come in here as well. There are pros and cons to each so you need to know what will be most beneficial to your situation. A lease is often easier to obtain and does not leave you with a building to sell if the café isn’t successful.

When selecting your location, choices should be based on your chosen target market. For example, some may open a café on the side of the highway because their chosen consumer is the travellers and truck drivers. Alternatively, you will also find cafes in quiet neighborhoods where they are accessible by foot as well as car. Location plays a huge role in deciding who will walk through your door with money in hand.

You want to be careful when planning your menu that you are as original as possible. A pre-baked donut can be purchased anywhere but home baked goods fresh from the oven may have an advantage. These are things you need to take into consideration when planning. When you are ready to open a café, effective preparation and planning will carry you through.

Most new restaurants close their doors within the first year. That is a horrific statistic. Too many hard working individuals are losing their money, and their dreams, due to a lack of specific information.

If you are thinking about opening your own restaurant, or struggling to make your current restaurant profitable, please read this FREE report: "The Restaurant Industry's Dirty Little Secrets.

One particular restaurant failure caused me to write down this information. I knew there was just one or two things I could have told those rookie owners that would have made a difference. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance. To read more about that incident, click here

Today's Independent Restaurant Business Tip

for . Many owners obsess with coming up with the perfect restaurant name. Unless you are politically incorrect or crude your name is not going to make or break your restaurant. However, there have been many operations open, order glasses, uniforms, menus and promotional items only to receive a nasty "cease and desist" order from a lawyer. Make sure you research your restaurant name. It is surprising how many restaurants are forced into the costly procedure of changing their name in the first few months. This costly mistake can cripple your operation. Get your lawyer to check and register your name!

Readers Comments

I know that you get emails all the time but I had to write anyway. I don't believe in coincidences. The day after reading your ideas I found exactly the situation that I would have normally overlooked.
I'll let you know as things progress but I believe I've found my golden goose!
You should charge more than you do for your book, your information is of great value to me/anyone looking to start their own restaurant.
Thanks so much
(I'll email you my results soon)
Tannis Laughlin