Been thinking about leaving my corporate job for something more independent. Always loved coffee and the local cafe scene. Anyone have experience with opening a cafe or coffee shop? Wondering about startup costs and daily challenges.
Re: Opening a cafe
Posted by Mike T. on March 23, 2025, 8:21 am, in reply to "Opening a cafe"
My cousin opened an independent coffee shop in 2019. It's been tough - pandemic hit them hard and now they're dealing with rising costs and staff turnover. Said if she could do it again, she might consider a franchise for the established systems and brand recognition
Re: Opening a cafe
Posted by Jann C. on March 23, 2025, 9:50 am, in reply to "Opening a cafe"
Was in the same boat last year after 15 years in retail management. Researched both independent and franchise options. Found this helpful list of cafe franchises at https://topfranchise.com/catalog/cafe-franchises/ that lets you compare investment levels, royalty fees, and territory requirements. What surprised me was the range - some coffee concepts need $400K+ to start while others can launch for under $100K with a smaller footprint. Ended up going with a mid-tier breakfast cafe franchise that had good training
