March 17th, 2013

How to Run a Successful Café

Even during times of recession, coffee never goes out of style. Even so, running a coffee shop is still difficult, especially when trying to get one off the ground.

No one knows this better than Paul Geshos, who owns the boutique coffee chain Mecca Espresso. According to him, running a coffee shop is “largely a labour of love”, and offers the following tips for success:

1. Hospitality is still the number one thing consumers are looking for in a café. Delivering a consistent product in a timely manner while being polite is extremely important for getting repeat business.

2. High quality coffee is a must for attracting and retaining customers. For Geshos, quality means “sweetness, body, finish, balance and acidity”.

3. Environment is extremely important, and cafés must have a “nice inviting ambience”. Upbeat music, comfortable café furniture, and overall friendly vibes will please customers and keep them coming back.

4. Loving the profession, selling coffee you believe in, and having “passionate” staff are all key ingredients for a successful café.

5. Cafés have high failure rates, so many would-be owners have a hard time getting grants and loans. Starting small and working almost constantly throughout the week are required for success.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/coaching/a-passion-for-caffeine-how-to-start-a-coffee-shop-20100729-10wvd.html