Welcome to /r/Coffee_Shop!

I’m not an experienced businessperson so this would be a 3-5 year plan for the future. I am learning anything related about starting a business but wonder if there’s any resources out there available specifically for coffee shops that are not just YouTube videos and that can help me as a guide to get started on market search. Also, if anyone here is a coffee shop owner, what is ate the resources you started with that made your coffee shop come to fruition successfully.

looking for coffee shop recommendations - thx!

I’ll be in New Zealand for a week or so and would love a good local coffee place recommendation. Preferably something with a good pour over

Can anyone recommend a stylish hardcover coffee table book that features some of the great coffee shops around the world? I'd like to give it as a gift to a friend who loves traveling and spending time in coffee shops. Thanks!

Going to the beach and the first thing I look for is if there are any coffee shops nearby and how many cafe I can visit. Safety is not my priority, it’s caffeine. Is it just me? 🤭

Hey Reddit!

I wanted to share an exciting and challenging venture I’ve been working on: a company that combines catering food and drinks with skills training programs to help people find jobs. The idea is to meet people where they are—like grocery stores, delis, and other local spots—offering great drinks while introducing them to our paid training services.

The goal is to make learning job-ready skills accessible and engaging. Whether it’s barista training, customer service, or other job-relevant skills, we’re focused on building up individuals and creating opportunities for growth.

Why This Matters

Finding practical, affordable training for specific careers can be tough, especially for people trying to break into new industries. We want to bridge that gap with high-quality programs and a personal approach. By pairing our pop-up catering with conversations about what we do, we’ve found a unique way to introduce people to the skills they need to succeed.

Challenges Along the Way

This venture has been an incredible journey, but it hasn’t been without its struggles: 1. Finding Locations: Getting businesses to host us has been a challenge. Some places aren’t sure about the concept or worry about the logistics of having us pop up. 2. Branding: Striking a balance between promoting our catering side and the training programs has been tricky. I’ve had to figure out how to communicate both clearly and effectively. 3. Building Trust: As a relatively new company, we’re constantly proving the value of what we offer and how it benefits individuals and the community.

Lessons Learned

•	People value authenticity. Being upfront about our mission and services has helped us connect with the right audience.
•	Building a brand takes time. Every event and interaction adds a new layer to who we are as a company.
•	Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice—there’s so much to learn from others who’ve been in your shoes.

Calling on the Reddit Community

If you’ve started a business—especially in NYC or other competitive areas—I’d love to hear about your experiences. How did you overcome challenges like finding the right locations, building a brand, or growing your client base?

This journey has been a mix of trial and error, learning, and growing, but it’s been so rewarding. If you’re thinking about starting something similar, my advice is to stay persistent and keep your mission front and center.

Let’s chat about your stories, any tips you have, or even ways we could collaborate. Thanks for reading!

Anyone know anywhere that sells these to-go containers for a reasonable price?

1452 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Haraz Coffee House invites you to experience the rich heritage of Yemeni coffee, where sun-dried beans and ancient traditions create an exceptional taste journey.

They offer an online shop: https://haraz-coffee.myshopify.com/

Turkish coffee maker: https://okkaforus.com/

More locations should look into even having an instant Turkish coffee maker. This is underrated. I have one myself!

I am doing a project and just have a poll question to ask to get some data…

It’s about mobile ordering - are you a fan of it? If someone was able to offer you free mobile ordering software, would you take them up on it? If you have any extra time I also need to know why from some of the poll takers but not necessary if you don’t want to.

Thanks so much for any responses :)

View Poll

Hey coffee lovers!☕ I am a social media manager and a designer with over 5 years of experience. I am looking for a freelance project related to social media and branding of a new coffee shop. Could possibly add a free website, if the coffee shop has its own blend and needs to have an online store. Looking forward to answering any questions that you might have 😁

Have any owners here gotten rid of drip coffee and just pushed americanos? If so has it pissed people off?

Have you guys tried to make your own rose coffee syrup? Or any syrup in general? Ive gone to this coffee shop that has amazing rose flavored coffee. But they said they make their own syrup. I own rose tea(the small flowers) I was wondering if I can use that to make some myself. Any tips on how to make my own syrup?

when did coffee shops become so expensive and make their coffee cups smaller??? I feel like recently. I’ve been visiting coffee shops where they’ve been getting more and more expensive and their cups are getting smaller and smaller. WTF??

this cup that is the size of my hand was six dollars. When I feel like just barely a couple of months ago I could pay the same price for a cup double the size.

Maybe it’s my area? But does anyone know of any good coffee shops in Tampa Bay Florida that are affordable and good ?

Hi! My boyfriend and I are heading out on a road trip from the Bay Area in California to Washington. We are also planning on going through Vancouver, Canada as well.

Our plan is to stop at great coffee shops along the way. So I’m looking for any and all recommendations!

Thank you in advance. Enjoy your coffee!

Hello coffee shop owners, I'm curious what would it take you to hire a social media manager to manage your coffee shop page?

Hey coffee shop owners - I am interested in gaining a better understanding of how much oat and nut milks coffee shops use? Additionally, pros/cons of using them (i.e. is it expensive, require constant refrigeration, etc.); what brands are popular (do people ask for specific types)? Is homemade oat and nut milk common or would be good for coffee shops?

TLDR: Would coffee shops buy locally produced oat and nut (cashews, almonds, etc.) milk? Why or why not?

Hi! I have a bread bakery in Lima, Peru and am thinking of buying a coffee machine to complement the bread. I need a machine that makes the basic coffees. I came across the Delonghi Dedica at a good price on fb marketplace, do you think it would be a good option?

Hi there! I'm seeking advice...

I'm a mid 20's long-time barista who's been dreaming of opening his own shop for a long time. Without tooting my own horn, I know what I'm doing. I've worked in several coffee shops over the last 10. years and I previously worked for a well-renowned specialty roaster and ran their coffee bar. I understand all things espresso profiling, pour overs, drip, tea, milk steaming, etc. I understand coffee workflow/efficiency, cleanliness standards, inventory, and customer service. I know what I need for all things grinders, espresso machine, water filtration, batch brew, kettles, glassware, etc. I've already contacted wholesale coffee and tea providers, and have a grasp on order costs. I want to be a multiroaster and have one consistent roaster, as well as feature a second roaster on roughly a 6-8 week basis. I definitely want the shop to be specialty but above all, I just want it to be consistently super good. Far too often have I had inconsistent experiences at coffee shops, and I understand how to make repeatable, quality coffee. I have a full business plan/proforma and a relatively good idea of what a simple buildout and furniture will cost.

All things considered, I feel very confident in everything except for the financials. I'm projecting the buildout and all other opening costs to be somewhere around 100k... not to mention the fact that the project will likely end up being more expensive AND I need to have operating costs for at least several months to hold me over until I can become profitable. Obviously I will work my butt off and eat as much of the labor cost myself, but even so I'm scared it wont work out. I plan to finance my espresso machine, two grinders, and any other big purchases I can, but all things considered I just don't understand where people come across that kind of money to start up a shop? Especially in your mid 20s. I have zero debt and somewhere around 10k in savings, but with the price of living, I don't see a feasible way to get this project started within the near future...

I know basically nothing about loans, other than the fact that I don't see myself getting one... I lack assets and even though my credit score is good, my history is < 2 years. Any good resources for legitimately good loans? Should I look at finding investors? How would I go about doing that?

I just feel a bit lost and unsure about what my next steps should be... Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Hello everyone! I've been thinking about opening a small cafe focused only on coffee. No tea, no dessert or sandwich. Just coffee. The coffees I'll serve will be classics: espresso, filter, latte, americano etc... How much would the equipment and inventory cost? Also, how much difference does roasting your own coffee make price and taste-wise, assuming the supplier is a quality one. Where are some budget cuts I can do without effecting coffee quality (speed is highly important)?

I also have a mobile coffee cart idea bjt I wonder if I can run an espresso machine without connecting to the grid.