Setting yourself apart from your competitors can be an advantage when starting a coffee business. Read on to get some inspiration with our list of new coffee business ideas.
As an up-and-coming coffee entrepreneur, you should consider having a unique concept that will let your business stand out. After all, there are approximately 37,000 coffeehouse stores in the United States, promising to deliver a quality cup of Joe to their consumers.
As the market grows annually, you shouldn’t be discouraged. Coffee lovers are always looking for distinctive concepts to elevate their java experience. So if you’re looking for eye-catching ideas to captivate your target consumers, here is a list that might pique their interest in your new coffee business!
Game Cafes
Let’s do away with the notion that all gamers are homebodies. Most love to socialize with their friends, often fellow gamers themselves. An estimated 68% of American adults consider themselves gamers, and a coffee shop that features their favorite title will entice them to come to your cafe to hang out!
Doing your research will give you an idea of which console is best for the market in your area but don’t restrict yourself to electronics. You might want to try board or card games such as Scrabble or D&D sets that will surely attract colorful customers who want to keep coming back to your cafe.
You might find our explainer on how to set up an online coffee business helpful.
Mobile Coffee Shop
We all had our moments when we were craving that cup of Joe, but a coffee shop was nowhere near in sight. If this is a pain point that you want to ease, then maybe a coffee shop on wheels is the ideal concept for your business!
Expect a lot of groundwork, investment, and preparation if you plan to venture into this concept. You need to buy your vehicle and equipment, determine your menu and your routes, and process the necessary permits to operate.
It will pay off as this can be quite profitable, with some coffeepreneurs earning at least $180,000 per year! If you’re not into food trucks, you can opt for the good old-fashioned bike, which two students in Germany did to develop a successful coffee franchise in Europe.
Owning a coffee business can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not prepared. Increase your odds of success by reading our list of why some coffee shops fail and how to avoid it.
Bikers’ Coffee Haven
This isn’t a new name for your next coffee business but an interesting concept to consider. Post-pandemic statistics on cycling reached an all-time high, with 50% of Americans planning to ride bikes more often after the pandemic. Bicycle counts significantly increased in the U.S., notably on the West Coast, where they saw a 253% increase in biking levels in 2020.
Your coffee business can tap into this market by setting up a coffee shop that also features a bike shop for their needed maintenance and repairs. Add some equipment and accessories to increase your potential revenue.
You can be flexible with the concept as you can cater to cyclists and the big bikers! Sell the idea of enjoying a cup of Joe and socializing with fellow hobbyists while they take a break or wait for their single-track vehicles to get repaired.
Drive-Through Coffee Shop
As offices start to open up, expect the number of vehicles on the road to increase, which means more potential income for this coffee business.
The idea hinges on speedy service, a feature that even coffee conglomerates struggle with (mainly due to strict internal food-handling policies), so this is something that you can capitalize on. In terms of profit, successful coffee drive-throughs can earn around $1,500 per day, depending on the price of your coffee, service speed rate, and operating hours.
Pet Cafes
Combine two of the things you love most, and you’ll have a coffee business that’s purr-fect for you! Though this can be a challenging concept logistics-wise, you can receive significant earnings if the location is right. For instance, cat cafes are booming, with around 141 shops across the United States compared to just 72 in 2018.
Don’t forget the dog cafes; these exist too!
Your coffee shop can serve as a safe haven for customers looking for therapeutic ways to relax after a hard day’s work and the animals who need a nice place to stay and are looking to get adopted.
If animal welfare might prove a challenge, you can opt for a pet-friendly cafe instead! Around 70% of American households own pets, and some will probably love the concept of having a separate play space for their pets while they socialize with friends over a cup of Joe.
