anyone in the cafe bar type business?

[fade2grey]

okay, I've got no experience in catering or retail (I'm an IT bod) but have a random notion that it would be lovely to own (not nesc manage day to day) a cafe bar\coffee shop type place. Whilst I appreciate that location is the real key, I'm looking for pointers on profitability, turn over, margins etc & where to find all that kind of info out. Ideally I'd like to equip myself with the knowlege to make the call on if it's a go\no go should something come up so anything would be a step in the right direction.

[Slagathore]

http://uk.businessesforsale.com/uk/browse/Food/Caf...


That site might be helpful.

I've always been under the impression that with businesses like this, the best way to make the most money is to be there and do a large proportion of the work yourself.

Unless you intend to keep your job in IT, which would mean trusting someone else to run it.

[fade2grey]

Cheers, I'll have a mooch through that link!

Yeah, I was planning on keeping my IT job, I have a friend who's a food & beverage manager & been in catering\hospitality for a while who is looking for work in the UK so might be an oppertunity to join the dot's

[Chrisgr31]

The issue with cafe/pub/catering businesses is that they are generally cash businesses. This creates several problems. Unless you are there to do a lot of the work and management you need to have someone there that you trust implicityly to ensure cash doesn;t walk out the door in your staffs pockets.

Also the figures you are given by the vendor need to be checked too ensure they are accurate. Visit the property on several occasions to check the trade figures look correct for the figures you are given.