Starting a nice cafe
Discussion
tonym911 said:
In recognition of the title of this bit of the Gassing Station, and noting the general popularity of car programmes on the telly, I wonder if the time is right for an outlet offering pies and other British culinary treats in a motoring-style environment.
Yes I can't think that this idea has been done before. Maybe they could have meets there too? And themed nights?okgo said:
tonym911 said:
In recognition of the title of this bit of the Gassing Station, and noting the general popularity of car programmes on the telly, I wonder if the time is right for an outlet offering pies and other British culinary treats in a motoring-style environment.
Yes I can't think that this idea has been done before. Maybe they could have meets there too? And themed nights?Bebee said:
Globs said:
tonym911 said:
Driven by circumstance rather than choice I had a Starbucks capuccino in Bath last week. I could discern no coffee flavour whatsoever. Is that normal for them?
Yes.HTH
Phil Dicky said:
Aren't Costas and the others Franchises, would have thought that would be a better option
Only an option if you have at least a million in liquid assets.I looked into it a few years ago, was 250k for a franchise, but you had to commit to opening 5 in your area. I'm sure it's a licence to print money but you need balls the size of melons to find out for real.
northandy said:
Phil Dicky said:
Aren't Costas and the others Franchises, would have thought that would be a better option
Only an option if you have at least a million in liquid assets.I looked into it a few years ago, was 250k for a franchise, but you had to commit to opening 5 in your area. I'm sure it's a licence to print money but you need balls the size of melons to find out for real.
Globs said:
northandy said:
Phil Dicky said:
Aren't Costas and the others Franchises, would have thought that would be a better option
Only an option if you have at least a million in liquid assets.I looked into it a few years ago, was 250k for a franchise, but you had to commit to opening 5 in your area. I'm sure it's a licence to print money but you need balls the size of melons to find out for real.
There is a small independent in my home town (wilmslow). They are a coffee house competing with Nero and starbucks as well as a French place. They do well out of local produce they get a good local crowd that seem to dodge the chain rubbish. Seems to work for about 4 independents in the small town. Mind you it's a kind of a little oasis.
I live in pretty small place.
It is fairly middle class and as such its ended up having a 100 meter highstreet that has all the big coffee chains. Its quite incredible that they all survive, and do well even when they exist so close to each other. Never underestimate the power of a brand.
It is fairly middle class and as such its ended up having a 100 meter highstreet that has all the big coffee chains. Its quite incredible that they all survive, and do well even when they exist so close to each other. Never underestimate the power of a brand.
Globs said:
Can't see why an independent with good signage and service should not make as much as the franchised Starbucks TBH.
Because we are habit creatures. 95% of us already have our daily routine nailed, we go to work 5 days a week on the same train, we stand on the same square inch of platform, we try to get there 15 seconds before the other guy who attempts to steal our door position. We know which armpit to crouch under, which eye contact to avoid and which lane to merge in to at the other end to get through the ticket barriers in the fastest possible time and on to our work trajectory via our usual caffeine fix location.These 95% of people with their 95% of habits know what to order in their Starbucks or Costa or whatever is already inuilt in to their routine.
Good luck with your 5%. Not a chance IMHO.
.Well - I used to work for one of the large chain coffee outlets discussed on this thread 
..and the brand does have a big pull on customers.
One independent format which *does* work reliably is a sandwich orientated coffee shop - where most of the trade is from office workers visiting to buy their lunch sandwich : this works in big towns and urban areas like London and Manchester - as long as the offering is better than the cheap/low rent sandwiches from the likes of Benjy's or Greggs ... and fresher than the microwaved frozen paninis of the large branded chains ( whose main strength is their coffee , not food )
.. a lot of these small independents seem to be owned and/or run by Italians IMHO.
..and the brand does have a big pull on customers.
One independent format which *does* work reliably is a sandwich orientated coffee shop - where most of the trade is from office workers visiting to buy their lunch sandwich : this works in big towns and urban areas like London and Manchester - as long as the offering is better than the cheap/low rent sandwiches from the likes of Benjy's or Greggs ... and fresher than the microwaved frozen paninis of the large branded chains ( whose main strength is their coffee , not food )
.. a lot of these small independents seem to be owned and/or run by Italians IMHO.
Globs said:
Can't see why an independent with good signage and service should not make as much as the franchised Starbucks TBH. Maybe rather more, given you are independent.
Because it's consistent. If you visit a StarNeroCostabucks it will have the same decor and flavour whichever branch you drink at. Bit like a Big Mac. Yes a rib eye steak is better, but for less than £5 or $10 or EUR 8 you can have 2 beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, etc etc, with no risk of being served a wierd and wonderful local delicacy..
alfaman said:
Well - I used to work for one of the large chain coffee outlets discussed on this thread
..and the brand does have a big pull on customers.
One independent format which *does* work reliably is a sandwich orientated coffee shop - where most of the trade is from office workers visiting to buy their lunch sandwich : this works in big towns and urban areas like London and Manchester - as long as the offering is better than the cheap/low rent sandwiches from the likes of Benjy's or Greggs ... and fresher than the microwaved frozen paninis of the large branded chains ( whose main strength is their coffee , not food )
.. a lot of these small independents seem to be owned and/or run by Italians IMHO.
This is very good advice I think. There is a small cafe near me that has just opened...they do great coffee but the real killer is the croissants etc.... They are just a complete world away from what you will get in 99% of cafe's or shops in the UK. IF you can be bothered to make your own pastries and food (and know how to) you've got a chance....if you want to just buy everything in I wouldn't go there. I would rather have smaller margins and a better product than vice versa as a start up....if you establish the business and get loyal customers you will gradually be able to move your price up to reflect the quality...and the brand does have a big pull on customers.
One independent format which *does* work reliably is a sandwich orientated coffee shop - where most of the trade is from office workers visiting to buy their lunch sandwich : this works in big towns and urban areas like London and Manchester - as long as the offering is better than the cheap/low rent sandwiches from the likes of Benjy's or Greggs ... and fresher than the microwaved frozen paninis of the large branded chains ( whose main strength is their coffee , not food )
.. a lot of these small independents seem to be owned and/or run by Italians IMHO.
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