For many entrepreneurs, small business ownership is a life-long dream. For those business-savvy coffee enthusiasts, it’s only natural to have an interest in opening a coffee establishment. In today’s world there are three primary ways to become a coffeehouse owner: start your own, purchase an independent existing shop or invest in a coffee franchise.
Starting from Scratch
Taking the leap and building a brand-new coffee brand from the ground up presents a unique set of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is often building brand recognition. With small shops just starting out, it can be tremendously difficult to get the word out about your store. You’ll have to develop a marketing and advertising strategy – no easy feat.
Humans are creatures of loyal habit, and many customers are inclined to return to the same coffeehouse day after day based upon a relationship. Customers often believe taking a risk on a new coffeehouse is both a hassle and a gamble. A bad experience or a terrible cup of coffee is a rough way to start the day, so why risk it? That mentality can make getting customers in the door incredibly difficult for new brands.
Independent coffee shops also don’t come with any support. It’s up to you to find your builders, contractors, employees, and even suppliers. Unreliable hires lead to expensive setbacks. It is very time-consuming to do the necessary research to ensure that your new shop will be up and running on time.
Buy a Local Coffeehouse
Many entrepreneurs choose to simply purchase an existing coffeehouse. This too can prove to be difficult. If the brand has a less-than-stellar reputation, that can pose quite the challenge. Turning around an establishment for the better is no easy task! Many customers will be unaware of the change in ownership and thus unwilling to return for a second try. Turning over a new leaf will require critical evaluation of current business practices, an aggressive marketing campaign and even potential staff changes.
On the other hand, if the coffeehouse is well-loved, many customers and even employees may be resistant to any change at all. Generally, entrepreneurs find independent ownership appealing because of the freedom to customize your business to your specific preferences. With an existing location, you may find that freedom is hampered. Again, coffee enthusiasts like their daily routines and loyal relationships they’ve built.
Invest in a Coffee Franchise
Coffee-enthusiasts may choose to invest in a franchise. With franchising, new business owners will have support in site selection, marketing campaigns, training, and even supplier relationships. Franchisees get the freedom of small business ownership with access to the tools they need to succeed – you don’t have to go it alone.
However, the most important aspect of franchise investment is choosing the right company. It’s vital to do your due diligence and research as much as possible about the brand’s reputation, turnover rate, franchisee satisfaction, and corporate support. Not all franchises are the same and selecting the right company will make a huge difference in your overall success.
Entrepreneurs who are business-minded and hard-working have done very well with Scooter’s Coffee®, a loyal coffee brand full of Amazing! With nearly 200 locations operating across the U.S., Scooter’s Coffee is a rapidly growing brand known for serving up quality coffee with a big smile! Scooter’s Coffee has a recipe that works. To learn more about joining the Scooter’s Coffee community call 877-494-7004.
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