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Vito Ranieri, Business Broker: Orange, LA County Areas

What Are Things I Need To Consider When Buying A Coffee House?

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Call it what you will, cup of joe, java, or morning brew, one thing is for certain, Americans like their coffee. According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America, "the retail value of the U.S. coffee market is estimated at 30-32 billion dollars a year." A survey conducted by Zagat found that 43% of coffee drinkers make theirs at home, while 26% buy it at a large national chain, 22% from a small/independent, and 9% from other. The same survey found that coffee drinkers consume about 2.1 cups a day.

One of the first things you need to consider is location. Large national chains can afford high rent/high profile locations, but there are there are many consumers who enjoy small local coffeehouses and will seek them out. Large national chains can be found on practically every street corner, making it a convenience for everyday consumers, but they also have their drawbacks. Try not to compete with the high rent/high profile model, and figure out a way to attract those who are drawn to a more intimate/less corporate environment. When operating a small independent store, one must ask themselves, "what can I do so customers go the extra mile and come to my store?" Ideally, you want to look for something near universities, hospitals, apartment complexes, or anywhere near heavy traffic flow. If you find a place with a captive audience, for instance a location in the lobby of a high-rise building, ask the property manager what is the occupancy level? Your rent should not exceed 10-15%.

When buying a coffee house, you need to decide whether you are going to go for a true independent or franchise store. I recently sold a coffee house where the buyer could get out of the franchise agreement and save the 6% royalty fee, allowing them to redirect that money back into the business.

It's important to remember that running a coffee house includes early mornings, while mid-day going to the restaurant supply store and stocking up on inventory, and then later going back to the store. It s a business that needs to be owner occupied, because if it s absentee, one runs the risk of the staff giving free coffee to their friends, and eating into profit margins. One of the most important aspects of running an independent coffee house is customer service. Yes, you could walk into any chain store from Orange County, California to New York, New York and order a Venti Mocha whatever, and the experience will almost certainly be identical, but for a lot of people who frequent the same place every day it s important to build a relationship with the proprietor. By being around the store you get to learn your customers names, drink preferences, and things they enjoy.

When investigating the business, find out how much business they do in straight drinks vs. pastries, etc. Selling just drinks, you will have a much lower food cost, but pastries and other treats will run up your food costs, because they can spoil and end up getting thrown out. It s important to invest in Point of Sale system, so you can track to the bean of what sells and what doesn t. I have seen people who sell just drinks have a food cost of 15-20%, while those who sell (and throw out) a lot of pastries have food cost be around 30-35% When you buy the business make sure you get proper training, about to two weeks, so you can learn to make the drinks, and also communicate to the staff that you plan on keeping all of them on.

It s important when running a coffee house to ask yourself, what am I really selling to the consumer? Obviously, you are selling coffee and pastries, but you are also, in many instances selling to your customer a home away from home . Try to safeguard yourself, just in case a large national chain builds a drive-thru coffee house around the corner, because your customers not only come to you for the coffee, but also for the experience that corporate stores can t provide.

If you re going to have an independent store, then you might as well create an environment that s warm and personable. A great way to make people feel welcome in addition to have tables and chairs, is also have a couple of couches where people can sit back and relax, and of course a free wi-fi signal is a must! Another idea to build a relationship with your customers is to put up a corkboard where people can post for sale items, room for rent, etc. Also, once a week, maybe have music night where local musicians can play their guitar and sing or have a poetry night.

In addition to coffee, many business owners have increased sales by offering items like boba drinks and other tea based drinks commonly not found at large national chain stores. By creating an environment that s a second home to the customers, it encourages them to frequent it multiple times a day, once in morning on their way to work, and later at night so they can relax and catch up with friends.

BizBen Blog Contributer Buying a Business

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