Challenges of running a cafe are many, especially if you have limited business experience or if you’re still starting out. It can be difficult and overwhelming to be expected to keep your coffee shops profitable when you’re also dealing with the issues of customers and employees. Running a cafe involves more than just working your hours and coming up with the money to pay your bills. It takes hard work and commitment. Below are some of the most common challenges of running a cafe.
Marketing is perhaps the most important part of operating a cafe. Without a sound marketing strategy, no amount of equipment, money, or manpower will benefit your business. Marketers need to come up with creative ways to get their message out to as many people as possible, and the best way is through word of mouth. Here are five real challenges of running a cafe that will require innovative methods of attracting customers and boosting sales.
One challenge of cafe ownership is finding good customers. This might seem like a simple issue, but it’s not always so cut and dry. While it’s often a good idea to pick out the “hottest” cafes around, picking out customers can become difficult. If you don’t personally know any good cafes, do some research. Chances are there are some out there that your target demographic would likely frequent.
Another of the real challenges of running a cafe is keeping everything updated. In an age where instant gratification is the norm, keeping your coffee shop up to date is a real challenge. There are several avenues to pursue when it comes to maintaining your coffee shop’s reputation.
One of the best ways to attract new customers is by providing them with good customer service. This doesn’t mean treating every customer like gold, however. It’s also important to make sure your cafe equipment is up to par and to keep things updated with the latest trends in equipment.
One of the most common problems encountered is the wait times experienced by the public. Customers aren’t happy when they wait in long lines at popular stores. Make sure your cafe has good opening hours. People will find it more convenient to come in before business hours if they know they’ll be treated to a good quality product. The added bonus of having great open hours is that you’ll find it easier to keep your cafe stocked with supplies and other goods.
One of the biggest challenges facing any new cafe owner is determining their budget. Money, after all, is one of the most important resources to keep secure. However, no matter how well-organized your cafe is, it can quickly break down if you don’t keep careful track of all expenses. Make a monthly spreadsheet detailing all expenses, or ask for restaurant forms at various businesses to get an accurate expense breakdown. Be sure to keep track of taxes, such as sales tax, as well as deposits required for the various forms and equipment. Your budget should also include any special or unique items you purchase, such as custom-built cupcake machines.
One of the best ways to boost your cafe’s profitability is to expand your menu. If you already have a great location, find ways to draw in more customers to expand your selections or find new items you can offer. You can choose from specialty foods, such as Chinese, Indian, or Thai dishes; or you can offer everyday favorites like pastries and sandwiches. It’s important to be flexible and creative in how you run your cafe, as the success depends on doing a good job of running it.
