Coffee Shop Business Plan Sample

Are you interested in opening your own coffee shop, cafe, or purchasing an existing coffee shop franchise?  Well, you’ve come to the right place!  This sample business plan will help provide insight on what a Coffee Shop Business Plan should look like.

1.Executive Summary

Sample Coffee Shop (The Company) was incorporated in the province of British Columbia on January 1, 2021 by Mr. John Doe and Mrs. Jane Doe.  Sample Coffee Shop is seeking a $150,000 business loan to purchase an existing “Sample Coffee Brand” franchise located at #100 – 500 Wellington St. Vancouver, BC.

As the Covid-19 pandemic subsides, and widespread immunization takes place, more and more people will return to local establishments.  Furthermore, in the current economic environment the company has identified multiple ways to add value to the existing franchise.  These value adds include: extending hours of operation, a wider selection of food and dessert, catering services to local offices, and offering promotions on food-delivery apps Doordash and UberEats.

With over four decades of combined business management experience, Mr. and Mrs. Doe bring an abundance of knowledge and expertise to this opportunity.  Mr. Doe, being a senior executive of 105077 Inc. where he has overseen the company’s manufacturing process, monitored and evaluated middle management.

Mrs. Doe has been involved in healthcare management for the past 7 years, working to foster an environment that provides necessary and quality health care services to patients.  In addition, Mrs. Doe was raised in a family that owned and operated a successful food business in The US; therefore, bringing invaluable experience to this opportunity.  Together, Sample Coffee Shop looks to provide a new, heightened level of customer experience to guests, and help develop the wider Sample Coffee Brand brand.

The Coffee and Snack Shop industry in Canada has seen modest growth over the past five years.  However, as industry players overcome the economic challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic there is a wave of optimism throughout the industry.  As Canadians return to daily life industry players are reminded of the staple their stores provide.  Whether serving professionals on their way to work, students looking for a place to study, or catering to local offices; coffee shops provide the food and beverages that keep the Canadian economy moving.

Mr. and Mrs. Doe are prepared and qualified for the opportunity at hand – transforming the franchise’s largest location into a growing coffee shop again, and exceeding customers expectations each and every day.

 

2.Business Overview

Sample Coffee Brand – Wellington St. has experienced challenges in the past few years, from declining sales to weathering the Covid-19 pandemic.  Sample Coffee Shop has identified this as an excellent opportunity to purchase the Wellington St. Franchise at fair market value, while improving customer service, experience, expanding the food menu, and catering to local office buildings.

 

2.1 Business Summary

Founded in 2005 at Parker and Smithe Street in downtown Vancouver, Sample Coffee Co has been a leader in brewing superbly fresh coffee, committing to local craftsmanship, and unparalleled service.  In 2010 Sample Coffee Brand was recognized as the “Hottest Brand in Canada”. Today there are 25 Sample Coffee Co locations across British Columbia and Alberta, with many more to come.

Sample Coffee Brand is committed to providing an atmosphere of connectivity, which even trickles down to the size of their locations.  With all but one Sample Coffee Co location being less than  1,400 square feet, the franchisor is dedicated to providing immense seating space to guests.

Lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and fresh brews are all made from Waves’ exclusive coffee blends. As coffee professionals, Sample Coffee Co understands the ranges of coffees grown from around the world, offering the highest possible quality beans from South America to Africa.  Waves’ roast master oversees that each batch of beans is put through visual, aromatic and taste tests then filtered in drum roasters.  With blended drinks, Belgian hot chocolate, African rooibos teas, cold drinks, pastries, paninis and sandwiches brought in from local bakeries, Sample Coffee Co really offers something for any mood.

 

2.2 Industry Overview

Many Canadians frequent coffee establishments (NAICS 722512 – Limited-service eating places) on their way to work in the morning or throughout the day.  Coffee franchises are indeed part of a profitable industry.  The younger generation is driving coffee consumption trends in Canada.  Adults aged 18-49 prefer specialty coffee, where adults aged 65-79 gravitate towards traditional coffee blends. The youngest Canadian consumers, aged 18-34 are more interested in coffee that is ethically sourced, leading to a rise in fair trade and organic coffee sold from coffee shops.

Millennials and Gen Zs are increasingly making consumer decisions based on sustainability, which for coffee can mean where coffee is sourced, how it is transported, how it is produced, and the affects these things have on social issues and the environment.  For example, Fair Trade certified coffee ensures it is produced in an environmentally friendly way, and that workers in the coffee industry are being treated safely and fairly.

 

2.3 Mission Statement

The Sample Coffee Co mission is to meet people who share our passion and ideals so that together, we create great neighbourhood coffee houses that enrich the lives of everyone we welcome inside.

 

2.4 Goals and Objectives

1. Receive $150,000 in funding
2. Transfer business license from the current owner
3. Take part in franchise training
4. Officially launch on May 1, 2021
5. Create an instagram account for the Wellington St. location
6. Get to know our customers and staff
7. Breakeven or make a small profit in Year 1
8. Grow revenue, and make a profit in Year 2

 

2.5 Key Success Factors

• Work closely with the franchisor to ensure our location represents the wider Sample Coffee Brand brand
• Inventory Management: Don’t have too much, or too little inventory at any given time
• Customer Service: Consistently offer the greatest customer service available

 

2.6 Staffing

STORE MANAGER

A Store Manager will be hired at the beginning of Year 3.  They are to provide positive, pleasant experiences that enrich the lives of everyone who comes through our door.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide friendly, prompt customer service
• Continually learn about our products and consistently provide quality food and beverages
• Master the art of beverage preparation
• Foster a good working environment
• Welcome and encourage new staff members and act as a role model
• Assist in training, supervising and supporting staff
• Conduct staff meetings
• Maintain cleanliness in the coffee house at all times
• Conduct daily cash handling duties and receive reports of any errors
• Follow company policies and procedures
• Create action plans and follow through in a timely manner
• Place and verify vendor orders and deal with issues daily
• Resolve customer and staff concerns
• Display sales and financial accountability

Skills

• Retail management experience
• Exceptional leadership skills
• Exceptional communication skills
• Ability to meet budgeted sales and profit goals

 

BARISTA

Sample Coffee Brand baristas carry out several customer service responsibilities.  Baristas greet customers, take food and drink orders, prepare menu items, and answer questions about our menus and services.  It is imperative that our baristas display personable and friendly attitudes, while maintaining a level of professionalism.

Requirements & Competencies:

• Receive and process customer payments
• Prepare and serve hot or cold beverages, such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees or teas
• Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation
• Clean and sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment
• Describe menu items to customers or suggest products that might appeal to them
• Clean service or seating areas. Serve prepared foods, such as muffins, biscotti, or bagels
• Prepare or serve menu items, such as sandwiches or salads
• Weigh, grind, or pack coffee beans for customers
• Stock customer service stations with paper products or beverage preparation items
• Order, receive, or stock supplies or retail products. Slice fruits, vegetables, desserts, or meats for use in food service
• Check temperatures of freezers, refrigerators, or heating equipment to ensure proper functioning
• Demonstrate the use of retail equipment, such as espresso machines

 

 

2.7 Management Team

Mr. John Doe

Executive Director, 105077 Inc.

Washington, The US

2016 – 2020

Role and Responsibilities:

• Estimating, negotiating, and managing budgets and timelines
• Establish manufacturing goals, objectives, and standards
• Investigate and implement new methods/technologies to increase cost effectiveness and improve profitability of manufacturing operations
• Re-negotiating timelines or schedules as necessary to meet company demand
• Implementing initiatives to support the overall growth and achievements
• Develop and manage project plans and corresponding reporting and budgets
• Drive and implement quality control programs
• Proactively identify problems and swiftly implement appropriate solutions
• Managing inventory and raw material levels
• Work with internal teams and external vendors to identify supply chain bottlenecks and develop strategies for improvement
• Support the development and implementation of project and process documentation
• Contribute to the long-term growth of the company

 

Mrs. Jane Doe

Manager of Operations, Health Place

Vancouver, BC

November 2015 – Present

Role and Responsibilities:

• Managing staff, overseeing client care and ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures
• Promote the quality of life of people with disabilities by developing day-to-day management and long-term care strategies
• Work with other health care professionals to determine patients’ goals and create both short- and long-term plans to achieve those goals
• Using current policies and regulations to guide care decisions aids in promoting consistency, reducing mistakes and improving safety for patients and staff

 

3.Products & Services

Sample Coffee Co takes two things seriously: coffee and chocolate.  The company sources only the best coffee beans available from small lot farmers.  By blending top quality coffee beans together with real Belgian chocolate the result is a flavourful mocha that is second to none.  Sample Coffee Co is committed to providing a fresh and wide variety of sandwiches, wraps, soups and seasonal pastries. Sample Coffee Co provides an elevated coffee-shop experience by pairing locally-sourced coffee and chocolate beverages with a delicious fresh food menu.

• BAKERY
  • Desserts
  • Fresh Baked
  • Gluten Free
  • Muffins & Loaves
  • Scones & Croissants
  • Squares & Cookies

• BREAKFAST
  • Bagels
  • Samosa
  • Wraps
• DRINKS
  • Chocolate
  • Ciders & Other
  • Coffee Blends
  • Iced & Blended
  • Tea

• LUNCH
  • Calzone
  • Rolls
  • Wraps

 

4.Operations

The success of Sample Coffee Co Wellington St. will depend on how well the operations are managed by Mr. and Mrs. Doe.  The following elements are critical to a successful operation:

Owner’s Involvement: Mr. and Mrs. Doe are committed to assuring the success of this franchise location.  When not physically in the store, mobile analytics will be used to keep track of the store’s performance.

Staff Satisfaction: By using open and honest communication Mr. and Mrs. Doe plan to develop strong professional relationships with their team.  A team that feels supported and appreciated is much more likely to provide a heightened level of customer-service.

Understanding of the Business: From franchise training to the first few weeks and months of operation, Mr. and Mrs. Doe are committed to developing a thorough understanding of Sample Coffee Co business model; and which actions will bring increased productivity and profitability.

Inventory Management: It is critical that the franchise doesn’t purchase too much, or too little of any given product.  Mr. and Mrs. Doe will work closely to ensure inventory is managed properly.

Great Products: Sample Coffee Brand is proud to serve exceptional products to their customers.  The franchise will be diligent in ensuring all products are handled with care, of the proper date, and have no defects.

Alignment With the Franchisor: All of our operations must be aligned with Sample Coffee Brand.  Sample Coffee Co has a clear and concise operational plan and the management of Sample Coffee Co Wellington St. plans to follow these operational guidelines closely.

Safety: Sample Coffee Co Wellington St. will take the safety of it’s staff and patrons seriously.  During the Covid-19 pandemic Mr. and Mrs. Doe will be diligent about ensuring all stakeholders follow government guidelines.  Additionally, management will ensure that all operations are congruent with Worksafe BC regulations.

 

4.1 Location

• 2800 sq ft.
• Currently seats 30 – 40 people; full-capacity is 85 people
• Bitcoin ATM machine available to guests
• Most spacious location within the franchise
• Meeting room services available

 

4.2 Equipment

Equipment as of March 12, 2021:

Small Meeting Rooms: 6 chairs, 2 tables

Big Meeting Room: 10 stools, 8 chairs, 3 tables

Floor Area: 12 stools, 38 chairs, 13 tables

Outside Patio: 2 umbrella, 13 chairs, 5 tables

Office: 1 two shelf filing cabinet, 1 office desk, 1 printer, 4 white chairs, 2 chairs, 2 s/s storage shelves, 1 Samsung CTV monitor

Rear Room: 2 Frigidaire Air Freezer, 1 True Upright Cooler, 1 Hobart Dishwasher, 1 safe, 1 floor cleaning bucket

Serving Area: 1 True Display Cooler, 1 Blending Machine, 1 Ice Making Machine, 1 Coffee Making Machine, 1 Insign Small Fridge, 1 Merrychef Oven, 2 POS Machine, 1 Bunn Bender, 2 Coffee Storage – APPROXIMATE MARKET VALUE: $70,000

 

4.3 Inventory

Upon transfer of ownership Sample Coffee Shop will receive less than $1,000 of inventory.  Items will include bakery, breakfast, lunch and drinks items.  Mr. and Mrs. Doe will focus on inventory management; ensuring to only purchase items that will be sold.

 

5.Market Overview

The Coffee Shop industry in Canada has grown over the five years to 2020, driven by the expansion of major coffee retailers, such as Starbucks Corporation (Starbucks). However, the industry experienced increased volatility over the past five years due to challenges established by the global spread and economic effect of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Prior to the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic, the industry was sustained by growth in the domestic economy.

Steadily increasing consumer spending in Canada for the majority of the period has supported the industry’s growth, as consumers have been more willing to splurge on small luxuries such as coffee and doughnuts. Busier lifestyles, which have left less time for preparing meals or beverages at home, have also helped the industry, especially as coffee and snack shops have placed a greater emphasis on convenience. Nevertheless, the industry was challenged by the outbreak of the coronavirus, which caused an abrupt decline in demand for industry goods and services while some establishments were forced to close due to the effects of social distancing and essential business restrictions.

The industry has benefited from greater consumer spending on breakfast over the past five years, which has boosted revenue and kept profits stable. The breakfast segment has been a bright spot in an otherwise slow growing food service sector during the period. However, coffee and snack shop operators have been forced to contend with increased competition from fast food restaurants, such as McDonald’s Corporation and Tim Hortons Inc. (Tim Hortons), which recognizes that serving specialty coffee during breakfast is a key means of drawing customers through the door. For this reason, operators have added a greater variety of food items to their menus, such as breakfast sandwiches, fruit and granola cups.

Increased consumer spending and growing demand for specialty products have also encouraged many independent coffee shops to open for business.  Over the five years to 2025, operators will continue to offer more nontraditional, high-margin menu items such as iced coffee, breakfast items and wraps. Industry revenue is forecast to grow at an annualized rate of 2.0% to $5.1 billion over the five years to 2025.

 

5.1 Market Trends

• Delivery Apps: Skip the Dishes, Doordash, UberEats
• Unique Blends of Coffees: Proprietary blends of coffee are becoming more and more popular. Coffee and tea shops — and even full-service restaurants — increasingly offer blends to support good health and reduce fat with soy and collagen creamers. Blends like mushroom coffee and matcha lattes are common. Most dedicated coffee shops offer blends that increase gut health, boost metabolism, and/or support the immune system.
• Increased Competition: Coffee shop’s are forced to contend with increased competition from quick-delivery restaurants
• Snapchilled Coffee: Freshness matters. Even if you prefer chilled coffee in hot weather, the snap chilling process is supplanting cold brewing. The process takes freshly brewed coffee and cools it rapidly, which extracts more flavor and more appealing aromas than the cold brewing process. There is also no waste of unused cold-brewed coffee. Snapchilled coffee doesn’t take as long to make as cold-brewed, and you don’t need to dilute the coffee by adding ice cubes. Look for this trend to become more common in coffee and tea shops in 2021.
• The Most Important Meal: Greater consumer spending on breakfast is expected to boost industry revenue
• Choosing Tea for Health Benefits: Many consumers now choose tea for its complex blend of chemicals and additives like turmeric, ginger, and chamomile. Most of these tea additives are classified as “adaptogens,” which are substances that relieve mental and physical stress.³
• Labour Intensive: The industry remains relatively labour intensive

5.2 Competition

Pallet Coffee Roasters

https://www.palletcoffeeroasters.com/

980 Wellington St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9

Sells coffee online through their ecommerce store

 

Blenz Coffee

www.blenz.com

232 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3R9

64 franchises in British Columbia alone

 

Railtown Cafe

https://railtowncafe.ca/

968 Wellington St. Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9

Offers coffee, pastries, and delicious food

 

5.3 Competitive Advantage

• Massive space which helps provide customers with a safe, socially distanced setting and meeting area
• Unique set of offerings like a robust selection of rooibos drinks, free meeting rooms and consistently gracious team members. It’s these elements and more that make Sample Coffee Co an intimate and locally-conscious answer to the replicated atmosphere of multinational coffee giants

 

5.4 Risk Analysis

• Another wave of Covid-19: The risk of another wave of Covid-19 can be mitigated through our pre-established “delivery platform”. The pandemic has made our audience more focused on customized service, and we can deliver on that by bringing our products to them directly through our catering service, or through UberEats and Doordash.
• Potential new entrants to the marketplace: Competition is already fierce in our industry. We must remind ourselves and our team to over-deliver by being the best version of our professional selves.  Additionally, by working closely with the franchisor we can progress a mutually beneficial relationship that develops our specific location and the wider Sample Coffee Brand brand.

• Boost to the minimum wage: Although this would be damaging in the short-medium term we can’t see this happening anytime soon. The BC provincial government understands how hurtful this would be to the hospitality industry and will likely only raise the minimum wage when the time is right for businesses and workers alike.

• Drop in consumer spending: This is potentially the biggest threat to our business; however, both the federal and provincial government have shown their preparedness to provide economic stimulus to keep the economy moving through consumer spending. Moreover, this can take a few weeks or months to execute, so our location will be prepared for a potential drop in consumer spending by having excess cash available.

 

6.Marketing Plan

Mr. and Mrs. Doe will be focused on developing a community that wants to come back to the franchise.  By providing kind and professional service, while ensuring guests take advantage of Coffee Rewards we will create a new, exceptional atmosphere.  There are a variety of competing coffee shops in the surrounding area, so to win over customers we must ensure we exceed every client’s expectations in customer-service and through the quality of our products.

 

6.1 Target Customer

Office Workers

• 25 – 55 years of age
• Works in local downtown offices
• Wants a place to relax and enjoy while out of the office

Students

• 18 – 25 years of age
• Attends UBC Robson Square, or a local language school
• Looking for great deals

Retail Patrons

• 25 – 55 years of age
• Shops at Nordstrom, Pacific Centre, Holt Renfrew
• Less focused on price – more focused on quality of food, drinks, selection

 

6.2 Key Channels

Sample Coffee Co Wellington St. – Instagram Account

Management will develop a customized instagram account to grow our community on one of the most popular social media platforms available, Instagram.  By posting special offers, promotions, and introducing our team we will stay engaged with our audience, and therefore bolster sales.

Special Promotions on Food Delivery Apps

Food delivery apps Doordash and UberEats are incredibly popular right now.  Management will create special promotions to get the franchises food and drinks in front of the target customer.

Catering Services to Local Offices

By catering to a wide audience of local offices we can develop key relationships with individuals and businesses.  This channel will develop our catering service, and eventually transpire into more guests in our store by nurturing the relationships we develop with local office staff.

The Official Sample Coffee Co Coffee App

The official app for Sample Coffee Co Coffee allows you to use your phone to pay and earn points at every location. Scan the app barcode in store to earn points on your purchases and build progress toward rewards. With this app you can add money to your account, set up auto-reload of your account, view transaction history and follow your rewards progress. It’s the fastest way to pay at Sample Coffee Co Coffee. Features:

• Sample Coffee Co Coffee Rewards: View your account points balance and other rewards
• Pay with your phone at Sample Coffee Co Coffee locations.
• Reload your account or set up auto-reload with your credit card.
• Earn progress to rewards.
• Send Sample Coffee Co Coffee e-gifts to friends and family.

 

6.3 SWOT Analysis

7.Financial Plan

The following financial projections are a product of this very business plan.  By investing in marketing, and having a sound operational strategy, Sample Coffee Shop will turn around the Sample Coffee Co Wellington St. location and bolster year over year (YOY) sales.

 

7.1 Financial Summary

 

7.2 Income Statement – Year 1

7.3 Income Statement – Year 2

 

7.4 Income Statement – Year 3