Why Gen Z Is Choosing Coffee Business Ownership (and How to Do It Right)
Imagine waking up every morning to a business you built yourself. You choose the menu, the aesthetic, and the vibe. That’s the kind of independence many members of Gen Z are chasing today. For a generation who has grown up in the midst of rapid change, more young people are questioning the traditional college path and looking for a way to channel creativity and ambition into entrepreneurship. Many members of Gen Z are already thriving as entrepreneurs.
Coffee businesses check many of the boxes for Gen Z entrepreneurs: they can creative, community-centered, sustainable, experiential, and purposeful. But to be successful as a business owner, you need to invest in your own skills and knowledge. At Texas Coffee School, our 3‑Day Coffee Business Master Class® gives you the practical skills, hands‑on training, and roadmap you need to turn your dream into a real, thriving business. (Even if you’ve never run a business before.)
Are you young (or young at heart) and interested in pursuing entrepreneurship? In this article, we build a case for starting now.
1) Why Gen Z Is Wired for Entrepreneurship
A generation with entrepreneurial momentum
- Where older generations viewed entrepreneurship as risky, Gen Z views it as the opposite.
- Surveys show that Gen Z are more likely than older generations to say they see themselves as entrepreneurs. For example, one study found 36% of Gen Z and 39% of Millennials identified as entrepreneurs
- Additional research notes that Gen Z is emerging as a force balancing traditional jobs with side hustles and actively building their own businesses.
- A survey found that nearly two-thirds (66%) of Gen Z + millennials (ages ~18-35) have started or plan to start a side hustle; top motivations include 49% wanting to be their own boss and 42% wanting to follow their passion.
- One report states 93% of Gen Z professionals say they have explored being business owners and 75% plan to pursue an entrepreneurial career.
Gen Z motivations that align with coffee business ownership
- Autonomy: the ability to build something you own rather than working for someone else
- Purpose and passion: many young business-seekers don’t just want a job, they want work that aligns with their values and identity
- Flexibility: Coffee businesses can be mobile, pop-up, or lean setups, all a good match for Gen Z’s comfort with side hustles and flexible schedules
- Digital-native strength: As a generation comfortable with social media, branding, and self-learning, Gen Z brings skills that translate well into running a small business
2) Why a Coffee Business Makes Smart Sense Right Now
Is now a good time to start a coffee shop? We wrote an entire article on why the answer is yes!
Why coffee specifically
- Specialty coffee is no longer niche, it’s mainstream. And, now more than ever it is ready to be shaken up with new views, creativity, and user experiences that Gen Z are already expertly bringing to the coffee space and craft beverage space.
- Local coffee shops and cafes bring customers. Consumers still value out-of-home specialty drinks, convenience, authenticity and experience.
- Compared to many types of startups, a coffee setup (especially a mobile cart, kiosk, small shop) can mean lower barrier to entry, fewer fixed costs and faster feedback loops.
- Digital comfort helps. If a business owner already knows how to use Instagram, TikTok, stories, reels, they are halfway to marketing a brand and telling a story, and driving engagement.
What this means for you
If you’re thinking “I could start something…” you’re in a good spot. Whether you’re considering a brick and mortar cafe, a truck, or a cart, you can succeed in this industry if you build a smart business from the start.
3) The Reality Check: Foundations Matter
Entrepreneurship is exciting! But if you skip the foundation, you do risk making costly mistakes. And let’s face it: most young business owners cannot afford expensive errors. Invest in your own education up front to set yourself up for longterm success.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to invest in an expensive degree or MBA. While all education and experience is helpful and can be channeled into entrepreneurship (we’ve had successful students with everything from a GED to a PhD), our classes are designed to offer a turnkey solution to opening a coffee business.
Key foundations you will master in our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class®
- How to Open a Coffee Shop: Step-by-Step Roadmap: This includes how to launch your business from idea to opening day.
- Business Planning & Financial Tools: How to write your business plan, project start-up costs, understand budgeting (build-out, rent, labor, cost-of-goods), ROI forecasting.
- Location Analysis + Lease Negotiation: How to assess a market, do competitor analysis, choose equipment, vendor lists and negotiate your lease.
- Menu Planning & Costing: How to design your menu and cost your items, create pricing strategy, optimize drink workflows (hot/cold).
- Barista Training + Operations: Hands-on coffee skills (espresso extraction, milk texturing, cold brew, workflow) plus operations manuals, inventory tracking, employee training, quality control.
- Growth Strategy: Planning for mobile cart, kiosk, drive-thru or shift to retail; how to scale your model as you grow!
These are not optional extras. They are the bedrock of a viable coffee business. When you leave our class you’ll have the tools, spreadsheet resources, operations manuals and confidence to move forward.
4) Data Snapshot: Gen Z + Coffee Business Ownership
| Fact | Insight for you |
|---|---|
| 66% of Gen Z + millennials have started or plan to start a side hustle. [Intuit] | Your peers are already building rather than waiting. |
| 75% of Gen Z young professionals plan to pursue an entrepreneurial career. [Evercommerce] | This is not fringe – it’s a major mindset shift. |
| 46% of U.S. adults had a specialty coffee yesterday [National Coffee Association] | There is demand for coffee that you can meet. |
| Gen Z is projected to comprise ~27% of the workforce by 2025; their spending power is expected to hit trillions. [Analyzify] | You’re entering a market with rising influence and opportunity. |
These numbers show something important: Gen Z isn’t content to just work for someone else; they’re ready to build something of their own. And that makes coffee business ownership a timely, viable option.
5) Tips for Getting Started
- Test with minimal overhead. For lower start-up cost, consider a pop-up, mobile cart, market stall, or truck.
- Create a concept with a purpose and story. You already know consumers want to support brands they connect to. What’s your story? What sets you apart?
- Build a business plan and budget. Learn to manage and project your finances to stay on track.
- Build your brand and social presence. Use your digital-native skills. Tell your story, build visuals, engage your local community.
- Master barista skills and service workflow. Equipment calibration, team training and service efficiency. You’ll need to learn how to lead a strong team with the right systems in place.
- Plan for growth or scalability: Build your operations manuals and systems early. You’re just getting started!
- Invest in yourself and your business. If you’re up to the task, take it seriously. Your business is only going to be as strong as what you pour into it.
6) Real-World Success Story: Laura Molinar of Pan Pan Bakery & Cafe
Want a real-life success story? We recently profiled our graduate, 21-year-old Laura Molinar. She opened Pan Pan Bakery & Cafe in August 2024 in Dalworthington Gardens, Texas. A viral TikTok video of her Mexican-Japanese fusion cafe (including banana bread latte and matcha concha) sent lines snaking out the door and made national news.
Of course, her video went viral because she’d already invested in her business, nurtured her unique concept, and committed to mastering her craft. Without this solid foundation, Pan Pan wouldn’t have been able to live up to the viral hype.
Laura took our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class® and says: “Texas Coffee School was one of the best decisions I made in my business… I left there with the confidence that I had done this forever! Even though it was only three days, I was like, ‘I got this. I’m ready to open tomorrow.’”
Her success illustrates how a young entrepreneur with training, focus, hard work and a unique concept can turn ambition into real business growth.
Source: Arlington Report
7) It’s Never Too Late (Even If You’ve Already Worked a Career)
Maybe you didn’t wake up at 21 and decide “entrepreneur.” No matter where you are in life, your own experience can help shape your success as an entrepreneur. It’s never too late to pursue your dream.
Here’s how your past experience transfers:
- Worked in retail or hospitality: You know how customer service works, you’ve dealt with rushes, you’ve understood queues and smoothing flow.
- Worked in admin, scheduling, or logistics: You’ve learned how to coordinate shifts, manage inventory, keep things moving.
- Spent time in the corporate world: You understand management, projects, people, and processes.
- Studied something else or picked up career experience: You’ve built discipline, grown a network, and sharpened your ability to learn new skills.
Those skills are transferable into coffee business ownership. If you’re switching from a career you don’t love and choosing ownership instead you’re making a bold move – yes – but with proper training you’re making a true investment in your future self.
8) Next Steps
No matter your age, if you’re thinking “Maybe I want more than just a job. Maybe I want something I build” – then opening a coffee business is absolutely a worthy path. It’s viable, relevant, and aligned to the values of autonomy, purpose and creativity.
But here’s the key: it’s only viable if you build the right foundation. That’s why at Texas Coffee School we designed the 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class® to give you the practical tools, blueprint and business mindset you need.
Ready to get started? Check out upcoming class dates and reserve your spot. Your journey as a Coffeepreneur® begins now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is Gen Z especially suited to starting a coffee business?
A: Gen Z brings creativity, digital fluency, and a side-hustle mindset that aligns perfectly with entrepreneurship. You’re comfortable with social media marketing, branding, and online engagement, skills that help you attract and retain customers quickly. You also value autonomy and experiences, which makes coffee business ownership a natural fit.
Q2: Do I need prior coffee or barista experience to start a business?
A: Not at all. While barista skills are useful, the most important foundation is understanding business operations, customer experience, and financial management. Our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class® teaches both hands-on coffee skills and the business essentials so you’re ready to launch confidently.
Q3: Why is it important for a business owner to invest in themselves?
A: Entrepreneurship is a skill, and skills grow with training and experience. Investing in yourself through education, mentorship, and resources, like the 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class®, gives you the tools, confidence, and roadmap to avoid costly mistakes and build a thriving business.
Q4: Can I start a coffee business while working another job or attending school?
A: Yes. Many Gen Z entrepreneurs test their ideas through pop-ups, markets, or mobile carts while keeping other commitments. This approach helps you validate your concept and build customer loyalty before fully committing.
Q5: I’m older or changing careers. Is it too late to start a coffee business?
A: Absolutely not. Many skills from past careers, customer service, operations, scheduling, marketing, or management, transfer directly to coffee business ownership. With the right training, it’s never too late to become a Coffeepreneur®.
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