An awful lot of startup coffee shops close down and close down not long after they open. It is just a tough market out there. Even with a recovering – or recovered economy – people still remember what the recession was like and so they aren’t spending their money on small luxuries like coffee anymore. Not like they used to anyway.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t be successful in that realm. In fact, with so many potential competitors failing to understand how to achieve success, this could be the perfect time to capitalise.
And here is how you can do that:
Make The Best
There are a lot of industries where 80% consistency rates are classed as perfection, but coffee is not one of those. You need to consistently produce the best coffee 100% of the time. If someone is going to buy a take-out coffee then they are going to want to buy the best they can get, which means they will stroll past a dozen competitors just to get to that one shop that never lets them down. Be that shop, and be that shop by buying the best coffee machine, the best water purifier, the best conical grinder, the very best roasted beans and the very best staff, which means the best training.
Improve Your Counter Service
The best asset of any business is its customer service. That is what will keep people coming back. The impeccable service, the friendly smile, the connection, your staff remembering your loyal customers. But counter service isn’t just about that. It is also about reducing your costs by not needing anyone to wait tables (you can thank McDonald’s for this). So get some cool table numbers to give to your customers, invest in a fast credit card swiper, and trial a buzzer system for food. Basically, the better your ability to handle the peak times, the more you will please your customers and the more profit you will make.
Think About The Design
The workstation your baristas operate is as critical as the design of your shop and the layout of tables, chairs and seating. Ideally, you want your baristas to be able to perform all of their coffee-making duties without having to move their feet or stretch too far. This will increase their efficiency, their productivity and thus your revenue. So involve your baristas from the early stages of design. Ask them where they want the beans to be stored, the fridge to be hidden, the milk to be put and at what height they want the bar to be. The easier it is for them, the better it is for you.
Be Loyal To Your Loyal Customers
With so much competition on the high street, loyalty cards have become the most effective way to keep your customers coming back to you. This isn’t as simple as it may seem though because a lot of thought needs to go into a loyalty card. The first thing you need to consider is the card; it needs to be attractive and durable. The second thing you need to consider is your profit margins. The third thing, how many cups do they have to buy to get a free one. If Coast is doing a free cup for every seven that are purchased, go with six.
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