7 Coffee Shop Concepts & Ideas
Diversifying your portfolio to include a café concept is a great way to protect your investments. Financing multiple ventures across different industries helps you stay ahead of any economic fluctuations.
However, with so many different types of coffee businesses to choose from, it can be hard to know which one is best for you. Explore a range of coffee shop concepts, including cafés, drive-thrus, and more, that’ll make your business stand out and attract customers.
Coffee Industry Statistics
Coffee is a hot commodity! It’s reported that 73% Americans drink coffee every day. The U.S. coffee market has an estimated value of $28.06 billion currently. Experts believe the industry will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.69% from now until 2029, reaching a value of $33.64 billion by the end of the forecast period.
Savvy and experienced entrepreneurs can take advantage of this projected growth by starting their coffee business now, capturing market share early.
Various Café Concepts to Consider
According to a recent report, 51% of Americans buy their coffee from a coffee shop at least once a week. Become your neighborhood’s preferred coffee stop with one of the following concepts:
- Classic café: This is more of your traditional sit-down coffee shop. These have a cozy atmosphere, welcoming guests to stay and enjoy their morning brew for a little while. An advantage to this model is the potential for upselling, but it’s important to note that classic cafés usually have higher overhead costs due to their larger footprint.
- Coffee and bakery shop: Another common concept, this type combines coffee with fresh bakery items. Similar to classic cafés, offering bakery items typically yields a higher average ticket cost. However, offering more products does require more space and time for inventory management.
- Coworking cafés: Becoming more popular in the remote work era, coworking cafés provide a comfortable space for work or study. This concept appeals to remote workers and students, meaning they may frequent your location often. Conversely, the startup costs can be a bit higher since a larger space is needed to accommodate guests.
- Mobile coffee shop: A fun and unique type of coffee business, guests can pick up their coffee from a food truck or cart. This allows for lots of site flexibility, allowing you to be where the most customers are. That said, keep in mind that inclement weather can impact your sales.
- Sustainable coffee shop: An eco-friendly concept, sustainable coffee shops focus on green initiatives and sustainable coffee bean sourcing. As sustainability becomes a growing concern for consumers, coffee shops prioritizing sustainable solutions may form a unique brand identity. However, sustainability doesn’t stop at paper straws. As an owner, you must be fully committed to using eco-conscious methods.
- Specialty coffee shop: Specialty coffee shops serve high-end coffee, catering to a niche market that values premium quality. This concept can attract a dedicated customer base willing to pay more for expertly sourced beans, which can lead to higher profit margins. However, sourcing specialty beans can be more costly, potentially impacting your overall expenses.
- Drive-thru coffee shop: If speed is your priority, a drive-thru coffee shop may be the best option. Drive-thru coffee shops focus on quick service, maximizing convenience for customers. Typically, with lower overhead costs compared to a full café, take into account that drive-thrus may offer limited menu options.
To make the right choice of coffee shop concept, consider partnering with a reputable franchise. With a proven business model, continuous guidance, and comprehensive training, you’ll be set up for success in the competitive coffee industry.
Scooter’s Coffee: A Leading Coffee Shop Concept
With Scooter’s Coffee®, you get multiple concepts in one. We’re a specialty, drive-thru coffee franchise. Prioritizing quality, we only roast the top 10% of specialty coffee beans from around the world. And our commitment extends to cultivating strong relationships with coffee farmers, built on respect and trust. By engaging in direct trade, we ensure farmers receive fair compensation and support, positively impacting their communities and fostering sustainable practices.
Interested franchise candidates should have a net worth of $500,000 and at least $250,000 in liquidity to qualify for a Scooter’s Coffee franchise. Startup costs range between $894,500 and $1,393,000, including our $40,000 initial franchise fee.
To learn more about our coffee franchise opportunity, request information today, and one of our franchise representatives will be in touch.
