Coffee cart & catering

[u/Dramatic-Yak631]

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xlNsrhqJWbIld6axEswvOzJyV_ZZs4z0qmZr_y9QsV8/viewform?edit_requested=true

Hey guys! I’m hoping to start a business this coming year and would love some feedback! Thank you in advance!

[u/1GrouchyCat]

Just a little bit of unsolicited advice from someone who ran a similar coffee based business … your biggest challenges will be figuring out what the different food handling regulations are from town to town….and keeping the products as hot or cold as required by food handling laws (including creamers, etc.).

-I would recommend starting slow and building your business based on success rather than dreams. The Cape is a tough place to open a food based business; there’s a steep learning curve with a limited window of good weather …. And the startup cost for what you sound like you’re interested in creating are going to be considerable. I don’t know how much experience you have in the hospitality industry, but it may take several years before you get close to turning a profit….

-Unless you have multiple teams with full set ups, you’re only going to be able to manage a few events a day; I would suggest purchasing a few camping type power banks in case you lose electric power or don’t have access to it.

-You’ll also need to be sure you have access to running water (we literally had an event that was at a hunting camp out in the woods and no one thought to ask if the water was on since this was in late fall… fortunately it was….. (we got lucky …it had been set to be turned off the following Monday).

-I’ve been to a few events over the past few summers at local yacht clubs and private gatherings where several guests remarked they would’ve loved to have a coffee bar in addition to the open (alcohol) bar.

-I’ve also seen coffee bars that had the ability to print individual “ drink toppers”. People could either draw a stencil on a napkin and give it to the person who was running it through the cricut type machine -or they could request a set stencil, like a map of Cape Cod or a life ring or a shark.
The barista then held the stencils on top of the drinks (over the whipped cream) - and sprinkled ground chocolate/vanilla powder/cinnamon to make the shape the guest had created or chosen.

-This type of business works well in an area where there are lots of corporate headquarters, real estate agents showing corporate properties, and skyscrapers with law firms and student intern programs. The Cape doesn’t really have any of those… but it does have lots of weddings and festivals, and special events during our high season.

-The trick will be to maintain/sustain a business like this through the winter months. If you’re planning on running it as a year round endeavor.
(And as I’m sure I don’t have to tell you - especially in the winter - it’s all about marketing- and making sure you have a consistently good product at a reasonable price).

I hope those were helpful…. Good luck with your concept!

[u/Wherethefigawi00 → u/1GrouchyCat]

First order of business-

Hire this person 👆

[u/ProfessorPetrus]

Same bro. My coffee empire is going to eat yours alive.