The year 2020 has brought about change to just about every industry. Restaurant and coffee shop businesses have found innovative ways to keep their doors open. Massive layoffs have shifted the job market. People have had to re-evaluate the ways they spend their time.
As coffee educators, we work with students who are opening or already own coffee shops all around the world. Through our students (and because we’re constantly researching and updating our curriculum to be the best in the business),
Many of our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class students are excited to start designing the aesthetic of their coffee shops. Before choosing furniture and wall colors, though, it’s important to layout your coffee shop floor plan. Your floor plan is going to dictate many components of your customer experience–from how they line up, to where they sit, to how long they sit, to what food and drinks you are able to serve, and more.
Here are seven things to think about when designing a coffee shop floor plan.
Do you need barista training or coffee business training?
While many of the students who come to our classes are taking their first step into entrepreneurship, some are already experienced business owners in other industries. Often, aspiring coffee shop owners with previous business experience or an MBA want to bypass coffee business training because they feel they already know how to run a business. They would rather just jump right into barista training and coffee education.
As a coffee shop owner, your baristas are the heart and soul of your business. Talented baristas can turn first-time customers into loyal brand advocates who come back to your coffee shop again and again. On the other hand, baristas with inconsistent coffee skills or lacking customer service can be a liability. That’s why it’s so important to offer your staff comprehensive barista training.
The quality of your baristas will dictate the quality of your customer experience.
Is now the right time to start your coffee shop business? The world around us is changing rapidly. Entrepreneurs and business owners are pivoting, adapting, and fighting to keep their doors open. Opening a coffee shop right now might seem crazy, but could it also be true that your business idea is exactly what the world needs?