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Opening a Cafe in 10 Steps
Starting a cafe isn’t just like starting a regular business. Not only does it have the usual challenges of a standard business, but has unique pressures that come with working in the hospitality industry. Other challenges include:
The hours: weekends, nights and early mornings
The responsible handling of food
The responsible handling of alcohol
Often managing a casual workforce
Managing the shelf life of food
Managing culinary trends and change
Do Your Research
Running a cafe may appear from the outside as simple enough, but the truth is far from the image - that of a young hipster flirting with customers as he makes soy lattes for a few hours a week - that is so often portrayed in popular culture. Before making any commitments or plans, do your research. This should include:
Reading accounts from others about what it’s like to start and run a cafe
Reading stories of both success and failure, and making a list of common pitfalls and mistakes
Looking into different cafe structures and styles
Getting an estimate of how long it takes to open a cafe
Getting an estimate of how much it costs to open a cafe
The general steps required from the beginning of the process to the day of opening
Identify Your Why
Embarking on a project of such magnitude is many things. It’s bold, brave, scary, and requires personal and financial sacrifice and risk. It’s essential, therefore, to be clear on your motivation from the outset, and determine whether this project with worth pursuing. Asking yourself:
Why do I want to start a cafe, specifically? What is it about the hospitality that I’m drawn to, and do I fully understand how it works? Am I willing to risk financial security to achieve this goal? Am I comfortable putting other parts of my life on hold to achieve this goal? What’s my end goal? What am I hoping to achieve from this venture?
If you’ve asked yourself these questions, along with many others, and you still feel the drive to move forward, then you’re ready to get going!
The number of establishments in the Australian cafe/coffee shop industry, 2005 - 2020.
Register an ABN, domain name and choose a business structure
It's essential you know what comes with owning a business; not just the logistical and operational elements, but also the legal side. Business.gov.au has some excellent resources and is a great place to start. Another helpful way to learn is to listen to some business-related podcasts. There are some great success stories, but more importantly, some failures and lessons from which you can learn.
Scout a location
Choosing a location for your cafe will obviously depend on the availability and cost of each space, but you should also consider the type of crowd you want to attract. Are you a cafe that prides itself on its organic coffee and gluten free snacks? Do you plan on bringing back more traditional and cheap lunches? Are you focusing entirely on cereal? Think carefully before making any decisions, and talk to a real estate agent about other key considerations.
Design a floor plan
Start with this handy video, and check out some templates here.
Consider funding options
There are many ways to fund a new business, including through investors, partners, assistance programs, grants, loans, your own money and more. Talk to a professional and read more at business.gov.au about funding options that might be right for you.
Develop a menu
Developing a menu sounds like fun, until you start to think about all that’s involved. You need to properly understand the handling of food and alcohol, source suppliers, decide on a theme, determine the type of food you want to sell and so much more. The most important tip? Give yourself ample time, be flexible, and get ready to test a lot of good (and bad) food.
Buy furniture/supplies
As with all other key decisions, your supplies will entirely depend on the kind of operation you run, though will probably include things like a coffee machine, tables, chairs and several fridges. We have an extensive and high-quality range of cafe furniture designed for Australian establishments. Check out a few of our favourites below:
Cafe Chairs
Lana Breakout Chair - 4 Leg Wooden
$91
3 years warranty
Available in black and grey shell
Wooden base
120kg maximum weight load
Affordable and comfortable option
McDuck 4 Leg Chair - Natural Wood Leg
$385
5 years warranty
Available in black, grey and brown
PU leather
Natural wooden leg
High-quality chair for ultimate comfort
Rialto Timber Chair
$219
1 years warranty
Available in light oak, walnut,olive grey and black
Includes foot glides
Classic design with versatile appearance
Lola Outdoor Chair
$128
2 years warranty
Available in black, white, green or orange
Aluminium frame with PP seat and back
Non slip rubber feet
Perfect for outdoor settings and casual indoor spaces
Ginevra Outdoor Chair
$125
2 years warranty
Available in black, white, blue, green and red
Non slip rubber feet
UV stabilised
Stackable: 3 high
Ideal for smaller spaces
Affordable option
Costa Outdoor Chair
$109
2 years warranty
Available in black. white, blue, taupe and red
Ideal for outdoor use
Made in Italy
Unique colour and quirky design
Eames Replica 4 Leg Wooden Side Chair
$109
1 year warranty
Available in white, navy green, beige, grey and black
Inject moulded Polypropylene seat
Slick yet casual design
Casual meets sophisticated
Pedigree Visitor Chair
$135
5 years warranty
Available in blue, white, grey or black
Metal frame
120kg maximum weight load
Crisp and clean design for any cafe space
Clay Natural Beech Wood Cafe and Breakout Chair
$220
3 years warranty
Beech wood seat material
150kg weight load
Modern design
Beautiful, classic and elegant design
Cathy Stool
$101
2 years warranty
Available in black or white
Polypropylene seat material
Natural wood colour frame
Simple, space-saving piece
Wave Plastic Chair Mobile Base - White
$216
3 years warranty
Available in white or black
Plastic seat finish
Mobile: 4 wheels
120 Day Chair Trial included
Easy to store and move
Cafe Restaurant Chair - Red
$49
5 years warranty
Best Price Guaranteed
Stackable
Added UV treatments to ensure colour integrity
Bold colour with comfortable seat
Wave Fabric Chair - Dart Base Black
$160
5 years warranty
Available in blue, grey and burgundy upholstered material
120 Day Chair Trial
Polyurethane leg finish
Elegant and classic fabric piece at an affordable price
Cafe Tables
Cross Table Base Cast Iron - White
$144
2 years warranty
Available in three sizes
Available in three colours including white, maple and wenge
Cast iron frame material
Tivoli Cafe Table Round Base White/Copper - Copper Disc
$171
1 year warranty
Available in four sizes
Available in three colours including white, maple and wenge
Mild steel frame
Adjustable foot giles
Clean and contemporary design
Square Cafe Table Stainless Steel Base
$439
5 years warranty
Available in three sizes
Available in four colours including white, maple, wenge and inox
120 Day Chair Trial
Perfect for outdoor spaces
Vibe 50mm Panel Table
$882
10 years warranty
Available in four colours including white, maple, avignon and wenge
Straight abs edge
Laminate material
Ideal for shared spaces
Resetto - Square Meetings / Boardroom Table White Legs
$480
3 years warranty
Available in four colours including white, black, maple and wenge
Natural oak wood finish
Straight edge table top
Clean and spacious design
Resetto - Round Table White Legs
$511
3 years warranty
Best Price Guaranteed
Available in two sizes
Available in four colours including white, maple, wenge and black
Wood leg finish
Talent - Wooden Cafe Table Black Leg
$110
3 years warranty
Available in three colours including white and black
Sharknose indented angled edge
Modern design
Low-cost, classic option
Wooden Dining / Boardroom Table Rectangle Wiring
$473
3 years warranty
North American ashtree frame and table top colour
Indented leg finish
Beautiful design with modern feel
Round Office Table Whistler Four Star Steel Base
$176
5 years warranty
Available in four sizes
Available in three colours including white, maple and wenge
ABS edge
Polished aluminium leg finish
Stable table at a low cost
Bar Tables
Sapphire Tall Bar Square Table Double Base - Black Frame
$191
1 year warranty
Available in three sizes
Available in three colours including maple, white and wenge
Adjustable foot glides included
Mild steel frame material
Vibe 50mm Counter Panel Table
$992
10 year warranty
Available in four colours including white, maple, avignon and wenge
Straight abs edge
Laminate finish
Perfect for shared spaces and stools
Switch Collaborative Large Counter Table - Wood Imprint Frame
$1,129
10 years warranty
Available in three sizes
Available in three colours including white, maple and wenge
Aluminium leg material
Statement piece for shared meals and collaborations
Switch Counter High - White Frame
$639
10 years warranty
Best Price Guaranteed
Available in three sizes
Available in three colours including white, wenge or maple
Laminate desk finish
Counter Height Office Cafeteria / Bar Table Black Leg
$440
5 years warranty
Available in four sizes
Available in three colours including white, maple or wenge
Power coated steel leg finish
Counter Stools
Lana Bar Stool - 4 Leg Wooden
$116
3 years warranty
Available in three colours including black, green and grey shell
Wooden base leg frame
120kg weight load
Bold colour
Pedigree Fabric Counter Stool
$217
5 years warranty
Available in three colours including emerald, rose and graphite
Metal frame
120kg maximum weight load
Added back support
Rialto Timber Stool - Vinyl Black Seat
$331
1 year warranty
Available in four colours including light oak, walnut, olive grey and black
American oak frame material
Foot glides included
Phoenix Timber Stool - Black Vinyl Seat and Back
$341
1 year warranty
Available in four colours including light oak, walnut, olive grey and black
American oak frame material
Foot glides included
Bora Outdoor Stool 650mm
$145
2 years warranty
Available in two sizes
Available in three colours including black, taupe and white
Stackable: up to four chairs
Claudio Counter Stool
$74
5 years warranty
Affordable seating options
Available in three colours including black, white and grey
Stackable
Wave Fabric Bar Stool - Sled Base White
$201
5 years warranty
Available in three colours including blue, grey and burgundy
Modern design
Bar Stool Black Stackable Florida
$138
1 year warranty
Best Price Guaranteed
Polyetheylene seat
Footrest included
DSW Bar Stool Wooden Leg Eames Replica
$115
1 year warranty
Available in three colours including black, navy green and beige
High-quality replica
Plastic Bar Stool Flamingo
$52
3 years warranty
Best Price Guaranteed
Polyetheylene seat type
Footrest included
Booth Seating
Klass Low Sliding 4 Door Credenza
$718
5 years warranty
Available in three door colours including maple, white and wenge
Available in two cushion colours including cosmo blue and slate grey
Lockable sliding doors
Laminate material
Klass Low Sliding 2 Door Credenza
$289
5 years warranty
Available with three door/top colours including maple, white and wenge
Lockable sliding doors
Laminate material
Two doors included
Klass Activity Module - Low Sliding Door Credenza with 1200H Backboard - Seat Cushion and Back Cushion
$773
5 years warranty
Available in three door colours including maple, white and wenge
Available in two cushion colours including cosmo blue and slate grey
Laminate material
Klass Activity Module - Low Sliding Door Credenza
$562
5 years warranty
Available in three door/top colours including maple, white and wenge
Laminate material
Two doors
Klass Activity Module - Med Sliding 4 Door Credenza
$1,844
5 years warranty
Available in three door colours including maple, white and wenge
Available in two cushion colours including cosmo blue and slate grey
8 doors
Laminate material
Klass Activity Module - Med Sliding 2 Door Credenza
$738
5 years warranty
Available in three door colours including maple, white and wenge
1 adjustable shelf
Laminate material
Hire staff
As with any business, it’s essential to hire a capable workforce. You’ll need to make several other decisions about your staff including:
The type of employee you need: casual, part-time, full-time or a combination of all
How many employees you need
What level of experience potential employees need
Your capacity to train new recruits
The qualities you look for in new recruits
Start marketing
Marketing your cafe shouldn’t be as simple as throwing up a sign outside and hoping people come inside. No matter your budget, your marketing efforts should include digital marketing as well as paid advertising, as well as other elements such as:
A customer referral incentive
Partnerships with other local businesses
An email database of customers
Social media presence
Discounts and opening offers
Open your cafe!
Building a business from the ground up is one of the most challenging and rewarding things you'll ever do. It will involve hard work, commitment, stress, flexibility, durability and a lot of risk. In return, however, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible learning opportunity. Your legacy, the business you built, will be one of your biggest achievements.