How to Open a Coffee Stand: The Complete Guide

So, you’re ready to open your own coffee stand. That’s a great – and potentially lucrative – opportunity. However, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the process of how to open a coffee stand. That’s completely reasonable; but with our comprehensive, step-by-step guide, you’ll learn what to expect, how to prepare, and what it may cost.

Understanding the Coffee Industry

According to the National Coffee Association (NCA), coffee is very much a hot commodity. Their latest coffee impact report states that in 2022 the coffee industry in the U.S. was worth $343.2 billion, growing by 52.4% since 2015. This surge was driven by consumer spending, which reached nearly $110 billion on coffee alone.

The coffee industry also plays a crucial role in the job market, providing employment to over 2.2 million individuals and contributing more than $100 billion in wages to the U.S. economy. With such a notable presence in today’s society, investing in the coffee industry could prove to be a formidable venture for savvy entrepreneurs.

How to Open a Coffee Stand: Steps to Follow

Like any business, there’s quite a lot that goes into starting a coffee stand. Below is a list of key steps to ensure your business is starting off on the right foot.

• Self-assessment: First, determine your interests, skillset, and level of experience. Keep in mind that most business owners spend almost every day at their store. You should invest in something that engages your presence. Also, take time to review your financial resources and confirm your budget.
• Write your business plan: A strong plan is paramount to the success of your business. This will act as your guide throughout the life of your coffee stand. Note that it’s a fluid document and can change over time to adapt to your ongoing business goals. A clear and concise plan is best. It should include an executive summary and additional information about your product or service, target audience, marketing strategy, management team, and financial projections.
•  Secure funding: Once your business plan is complete, you’ll use it to acquire funding from potential investors. However, there are many ways to secure capital outside of private equity. You can pull from personal savings, apply for a bank loan, start a crowdfunding campaign, and even ask friends or family. Be mindful when working with loved ones – have an agreement drafted to ensure all parties know the terms of the repayment plan.
• Select your location: Picking a location is not an easy task. There are a lot of criteria to consider when finalizing where you’ll put your coffee stand. The site should have strong visibility and be easily accessible from the road. You’ll need to make sure there’s plenty of room for a drive-thru and that there are enough parking spaces for your employees.
• Recruit staff: Hire friendly, enthusiastic personnel to work at your coffee stand. Everyone you bring onto your team should serve customers with a smile and make them feel welcome. They should also be trained to efficiently fulfill orders so customers can get through the line quickly.
• Market your store: Your marketing plan – as outlined in your business plan – should be multi-faceted and use many media platforms. To stay top of mind, your target audience should see your advertising repeatedly. Be sure to create an easy to navigate website with ways for users to connect with you.
• Open your coffee stand: Host a grand opening event to get people excited about your new coffee stand. Consider taking part in community events to build brand awareness. Be open to customer feedback and use their comments to improve the experience at your store.

As you can see, learning how to open a coffee stand is a lot of work. If all of these steps seem stressful, there’s always the option of investing in a reputable coffee franchise. Scooter’s Coffee® is leading the booming coffee industry with over 800 locations nationwide. With our proven business model, comprehensive training and support, and large network of franchisees, you can embrace entrepreneurship with expert guidance from industry professionals. Starting a business independently can be challenging – with a franchise, you can skip the guesswork and the headaches that come with it.

Own a Scooter’s Coffee Franchise

Since 1998, our brand has been serving delicious specialty coffee through a fast and friendly drive-thru. Our mission is “to create an amazing experience for each life we touch,” and that includes serving smiles along with our great products. More than just a coffee brand, all of our locations serve tea, hot chocolate, quenchers, blenders, smoothies, lemonade, Red Bull® Infusion drinks, and various food items. Plus, with our new kids and dollar delights menus, we strive to have something for everyone – allowing our franchisees to build a large customer base.

Our coffee shop startup costs range between $894,500 and $1,393,000, which includes our $40,000 initial franchise fee. Interested franchise candidates should have a net worth of $500,000 and at least $250,000 in liquid assets to qualify for a Scooter’s Coffee location.

We’re actively seeking driven entrepreneurs who are ready to bring the Scooter’s Coffee experience to their neighborhood. We have territories available nationwide, and we’re even open to markets with populations of less than 10,000 people! Both our traditional kiosk and new endcap business models work in all types of markets whether they’re metro, suburban, or rural areas.

If you’re ready to learn how to open a coffee stand, request information today, and one of our franchise development representatives will be in touch.