Opening a cafe.. All advice massively appreciated <3

jamiedh89

Hi everyone, this is my first post so please be kind

Me and my friend are taking the plunge, we are viewing a premises with the intentions of opening a cafe/diner there.

It’s a minefield for me at the moment knowing where to start with certain things, insurances, health and safety, food hygiene, liability insurance, business insurance, accounting etc etc

what would people’s best bit of advice be?Im just hoping that some of you with experience would be kind enough to share a little bit of knowledge with me.

Thank you in advance.

Jay H

elsien

Considering if now is the best time with all the lockdowns, and numerous businesses going under?
What is your plan B for another wave/variant and does your business plan take further lockdowns into account? 

ETA - there is a small business section of the forum where you may get more specific advice. This part tends more to employers/employees. 

Robin9

Have you done your market research to see if there is likely to be sufficient trade, what is the opposition ?

Any experience in working in a cafe?

What is the building used for now - what is its planning consent,  would the council agree to change of use ?

Set up costs will be high - fridges, freezers, cooker, coffee machines etc ...........

richardw

How does a cafe/diner make money? 

What would be your unique selling point?
How will you avoid bad reviews and manage them if they’re published? 

Would you have a loyalty scheme?
Would you work with Deliveroo Uber Eats Just Eat etc?
Would the payment card machine be faulty when you need cash?

Manxman_in_exile

How will you get through the next lockdown?

(Remember non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants are not out of this one yet.  And no matter how successful the vaccination roll-out, I bet this won't be the last one)

ICDT123

Also think about how you would market yourself. You can't just 'open the doors' and expect people to come flocking in. They need to know you're there, especially now with restrictions only just lifting and many of us not yet eligible for the vaccine, people aren't going to just wander past & spot your cafe/diner.

Social media is always a good place to start but then you need to be consistent with it, otherwise your posts disappear amongst the millions of other posts flying around.

Get networking now. Join some local business groups & tell them what your plan is. Then when you're ready to open, discuss it constantly to get people talking about it.

ICDT123

Sorry, one more thing to add (can't seem to find the edit button on my comment above). Is this your passion? I know it sounds cliche but there's no point doing this if you don't enjoy it, otherwise you'll find that the minute you hit a rough patch you will give up.

General_Grant

What experience does your friend have in this type of business?

Were the premises you have considered previously a catering establishment?  Are there other eateries nearby (can be a good thing if there are)?

TELLIT01

jamiedh89 said:

Hi everyone, this is my first post so please be kind

Me and my friend are taking the plunge, we are viewing a premises with the intentions of opening a cafe/diner there.

It’s a minefield for me at the moment knowing where to start with certain things, insurances, health and safety, food hygiene, liability insurance, business insurance, accounting etc etc

what would people’s best bit of advice be?Im just hoping that some of you with experience would be kind enough to share a little bit of knowledge with me.

Thank you in advance.

Jay H

Thoroughly research and understand the implications of all the highlighted areas, plus the comments made by others, before signing any lease.  If the business fails you could still find yourselves responsible for paying the lease until a break point.  Alternatively you could find yourselves in court if arrears develop.  Move forward very cautiously.  There are so many cafes on the High Street it's not an easy sector in which to be successful.

Marcon

jamiedh89 said:

Hi everyone, this is my first post so please be kind

Me and my friend are taking the plunge, we are viewing a premises with the intentions of opening a cafe/diner there.

Why? or more to the point, why now? The question is a genuine one, not some sort of veiled criticism.

deedee71

Have a written agreement drawn up which you and your friend both sign.   Will you both be putting in the same capital, working the same number of hours?  Will one of you end up doing the insurance, books, menus, buying etc or will it be split equally?  How and when will any profits be drawn out of the business or re-invested?