How to Start & Run a Sandwich Coffee Bar
Sandwich shops are popular and often successful businesses, and selling coffee is popular, as demonstrated by dozens of successful franchises. Like any business, succeeding with a new coffee sandwich bar will depend, first and foremost, on its location as well as the types of coffee and sandwiches you offer your clientele.
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Instructions
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Experience is invaluable in starting a business. Learn the business of running a sandwich or coffee shop. If you have such experience, you understand it and are well-positioned to run your own. However, if you have not worked in this field, you should find a job working in a sandwich shop, coffee house or similar business. Look at it as earning a paycheck to do research.
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A bulletproof business plan is key to opening a business and securing financing. Write a business plan. Not only will a business plan force you to research and consider all aspects of the business, it will reveal potential problems and help you determine what you will need to succeed. Be sure to overestimate your costs as a cushion. A good business plan is the lynch pin to securing financing.
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Don't be afraid to ask experts for advice. Seek expert advice. Colleges and universities are good resources for finding answers to business questions as are small business development centers. Community colleges often have courses on starting and running a business, and you can network with your college's alumni or find resources at the local Chamber of Commerce.
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Your menu will be a determining factor in your success. The success of your coffee sandwich bar will depend upon your menu. What will make your shop stand out from other restaurants? You will need to determine what kinds of breads, meats, cheeses and other ingredients you want to serve, as well as what kinds of coffee and pastries you plan to offer.
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Your financing should be enough to see you through several months of business. Secure financing. Armed with your business plan, you can begin seeking a small business loan or finding investors. Some financial issues to consider include cost of licenses, marketing and insurance---property casualty, general liability and workers' compensation--- as well as rent or lease expenses, remodeling and redecorating, equipment and supplies. For a coffee sandwich bar this could easily total $100,000 to $200,000.
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Your coffee sandwich bar's atmosphere will dictate the clinentele. Decide what kind of atmosphere you want for your coffee sandwich shop. Do you want it to be a quiet, relaxing place where people can chat and read or work on their laptops? Do you want music playing in the background or have televisions to show sporting events or news programs? What will be the color scheme and what kind of furniture do you want? The answers to these questions will determine your coffee sandwich bar's ambiance and, to some extent, its clientele.
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After taking car of the numerous business details and hiring your staff, you'll be ready to open. Secure all of the appropriate business licenses and permits as required by your local government and file your business name with the county clerk. Set up a business bank account, meet with an accountant to go over tax strategies and get a bookkeeping service. Arrange for insurance and meet with an attorney on any legal issues. Secure the shop's phone number, order business cards and set up a Website, even if it's a simple one. Have fliers printed to promote the business. Finally, hire and train your staff.
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References
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- Photo Credit Smith Collection/Digital Vision/Getty Images coffee cups image by Steve Lovegrove from Fotolia.com business image by peter Hires Images from Fotolia.com business colleagues preparing for business meeting image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com sandwich image by Du...¡an Zidar from Fotolia.com money image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com relaxing with coffee image by Jake Hellbach from Fotolia.com cutting image by Du...¡an Zidar from Fotolia.com
