Are there opportunities left in the coffee business? What about all the competition? 

At the present time there are about 11,000 coffee shops across the country - and around 54,000 pizza shops! People don't eat pizza every day, but they drink coffee, don't they? There is lots of room to grow! We opened successful shops in small towns all over the Mid West, in places where people never heard of espresso! Most of them are family owned and operated, and provide an excellent source of second income, or over $100,000 of main income, depending on the location and set-up. Our clients have very diverse backgrounds, ranging from a former air line president, to nurses, teachers, retired military, etc. None of them had any experience in this business. You can see a partial list of our clients and some pictures of their shops here.  

The best and the least expensive way to join their ranks is to follow in their steps.

And as far as not to be able to compete against "Big bucks", here is a note from one of my clients:

"A quick note, Alex. Four years in, Global Village Organic Coffee is still going strong. We won "Best Espresso Drinks in the Triangle" (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill) from the independent food critics. And, news of news, the Starbucks store located across the street has decided to shut down this coming Friday. Superior product and superior training does win out in the end. Thanks for all you've done for my business."

Mike Ritchey
Global Village Organic Coffee
Raleigh, NC

How much money do I need to open a coffee shop?

Your investment will vary greatly with your chosen location. Though ALL the equipment that you will need will be approximately $15,000, the remodeling cost, decor, signs, furniture, fixtures etc. may range from $40,000-$400,000. Our clients invested from a low of $63,000 to $220,000. As an example, Starbucks invests on the average $310,000 to open one of their shops.

I want to open a Drive-Thru Coffee Stand. What do I do?

Go to this web site: Espresso Drive-Thru Business     

I want to start with an Espresso Cart. Go here: carts

What is the best commercial espresso machine?

Go to this site: Espresso Equipment

I have a small coffee shop but I sell very little espresso. How can I increase my sales?

Go to this site: How to Increase your Espresso Sales

I have an existing business and would like to add espresso. What do I do?

Go to this site: How to add a successful espresso operation

I understand the importance of educating myself before I start investing my hard earned money in opening a coffee business. What is the least expensive and the most effective way to educate myself?

Go to this site: Espresso Business Success Program

NEW! Coffee Shop Business/Barista School

What are the major mistakes that people make when they plan and open a coffee business?

Go to this site: Mistakes that people make

I need a Business Plan for my lender. Where can I get one?

What is a business plan? It is a projection of what you are planning to do, how much it will cost and how much money your business will expect to generate. It is impossible to write a business plan without having a SPECIFIC shop location. Your cost and revenue projections will vary greatly from one location to another. But if you have a location already, you will find a generic business plan for a coffee shop in Alex's book "Espresso Business Success Program".  A lender or a landlord may require to see a business plan. That will show them that you understand the business and/or have expert people that will help you to plan, set it up and train you in all phases of the operation.

The dealer that I am buying my espresso equipment from told me not to waste my money on consultants, that he would train me on how to run the espresso machine. Why should I waste my money on your consulting or your book?

Making drinks is a very important part of the Espresso Business, but you can have the best drinks in the world and still go broke if you don't have a good location, proper shop design, an effective, "espresso focused" marketing strategy and know how to attract new customers. Please go to these sites to learn more: Why do you need expert help and "Coffee Shop Business for Dummies"

OK, I read your whole site. But how do I know that you are "legit" and will be able to help me? I want to be sure before I send you any money for your book or hire you as my consultant.

The only way to know is by talking to some of our former clients. You will find their  endorsements and our references here 

What do I need to do FIRST if I want to open a coffee business?

You need to determine within yourself if you are serious or just dreaming about it. If you are serious, then you need to take certain steps leading to the successful completion of the project.

After thirty one years, having opened and operated sixteen of our own shops and helped to open some two hundred shops for my clients, we've met three basic types of individuals:

a. The Dreamers
b. The Whiners
c. The Doers

The Dreamers fantasize about having a business, but constantly find excuses for not even taking the first step.

The Whiners take the first step but give up after encountering the slightest obstacle or difficulty.

The Doers persevere until they succeed. This is what they do:

1. Read all of the information on this web site so you begin to understand what it takes. Request and read our free report.
   
   
2. Line up the financing. Alex's book, "Espresso Business Success Program" has some suggestions on where to get the money, plus a business plan for your lender.
   
   
3. Find a PROPER location. We can't find you one, but will be happy to advice without cost or obligation about a site that you have in mind. Alex's book will tell you what constitutes a "proper location".
   
   
4. Call us and we will talk about the location. This is a free consultation. Before you call, make sure that you have ALL the facts: What kind of a street is it on? Approximate traffic count? Is it easily visible from the road as people drive? Is it easily accessible? Parking? Rent? Find out from the landlord if you can lease it for that purpose. Just because a shop may be available, that does not mean that you can get it to open a coffee business.
   
   Start-Up Coffee Business Advice

After that you have several choices: 

•  "Espresso Business Success Program"  the Very Basic
  
•  Basic Consulting 
  
• "Turn-Key. on Location Full Training and Consulting Program" 

How much are your consulting services? I am on a tight budget and don't know if I can afford your fees.

If you cannot afford at least Alex's book & video, how will you afford $15,000 - $300,000 to open your business? 

CONSULTING PROGRAMS:

• $4000-$6000 Turn-Key on Location
• $1450 1 per/$2250 couple - Three Day Coffee Business and Barista School
• $895 - Barista Training School 1 day
• $729.50  Basic Consulting
• $425.50  Mini Basic
• $239.50- $339.50 "Espresso Business Success Program" Book & DVD

If you add all the money saved in preventing mistakes, purchasing wrong or not needed equipment, superfluous  design, probably nothing. If you add to that all the additional money that you will be making through the years due to your increased understanding of this business, you will be a zillion dollars ahead! But in the short term, our full, personal on your site consulting service will be probably equivalent to what you would be paying for an espresso machine or even less, depending on the number of employees to be trained and days on location. Please call us for your specific project.   

"Espresso Business Success Program" Book & Video

Consulting Services Details

HOME

Before you call us about a drive-thru, PLEASE do your home-work that I suggest on my Drive-Thru site.

Questions?
Oksana or Michael Fisenko 503 590 9423            9:00 AM-6:00 PM Pacific Time ONLY

Alex & Assoc.
6107 SW Murray Blvd. PMB 297
Beaverton, OR 97008
e-mail: alex@espressobusiness.com

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