The cafeteria is one of the varieties of catering establishments that brings stable and high profits with minimal investment in starting a business. Therefore, many novice entrepreneurs are thinking about opening their own cafe, but do not know where to start. How to open a cafeteria from scratch will be discussed further.
First steps
The opening of any business begins with the implementation of all calculations and strategic planning. You can do it yourself or use the services of professionals. Today, there are a huge number of organizations ready to assist in promoting the business. When the cafeteria business plan is ready, you can proceed to register the business. You can carry out your activities as an individual entrepreneur or register an LLC.
After that, you will need to decide on the tax system. At the first stages of activity, it is better to give preference to UTII, because this way you can get benefits and reduce your taxes. If there is no opportunity to work on this system, then in this case the USN will be an ideal solution.
Types of cafeterias
The cafeteria is a very versatile option for doing business in the field of catering. It can be carried out in several formats. Today the cafeteria, a photo of which can be seen in our material, has the following types:
- Street family cafe is a very common format in European countries, which is gaining great popularity in our country. A distinctive feature of such an institution is an amazing, warm and relaxed atmosphere, as well as good quality food at an affordable price.
- Network formats. Many entrepreneurs prefer to open a cafe not on their own, but on a franchise. It comes out a bit more expensive, however, when buying a franchise, you get not only the right to use the brand, but also standardized business technologies, a ready menu, product suppliers and assistance in opening and launching a project, which minimizes any possible risks.
- Children's cafe is another very popular format of catering aimed at children. A feature of such an institution is the original menu, as well as the availability of toys and attractions, which children can play without any restrictions. According to statistics, such cafes are very popular, so they can be a win-win option for entrepreneurs who do not have much experience in running such a business.
- Thematic cafeteria is a revolutionary format of catering establishments in the domestic market. Such cafes have a certain theme, for example, music, sports or literary, and attract regular customers who provide a stable profit.
The choice of cafe format should be approached very responsibly, as this is one of the key factors determining the future fate of the entire business. Remember, customers should always feel comfortable.
Where to get money to open a cafeteria?
The opening of the cafeteria is associated with a fairly large financial outlay. If you have the necessary amount at your disposal, then no problems will arise, but if you do not have equity, you will have to attract it from the outside. This can be done in various ways, among which the most common is a bank loan. However, the bank gives money at fairly high interest rates, so a loan is not an optimal solution. In addition, getting a big loan from financial institutions is not so easy.
If you have a business plan in hand, then you can try to attract finance from investors who are always ready to invest in a profitable business, cafeteria and other interesting projects.
Also, do not forget about friends and relatives who can lend the necessary money or become a co-founder of your business.
Cafeteria location
The location of the cafe or its location is the second important nuance that should be considered when starting a catering facility. 70 percent of the success of the future institution depends on it. Best places for opening cafes are suitable public places with a lot of traffic, which will create a constant influx of visitors and allow you to set food prices at a higher level, which will positively affect profitability.
Room requirements
A cafeteria is a place related to cooking and serving visitors, so the room under it must meet certain standards and requirements. For example, if a cafe is open in a residential building, then it should not cause inconvenience to any of the residents.
Most coffee houses are designed for 50 seats, so look for a room with an area of at least 100 square meters. In addition, it must comply with all sanitary and fire standards, which are agreed with representatives of the relevant authorities. The walls in the kitchen should be finished with a special material that is resistant to fire. A good ventilation system should be equipped in the kitchen and in the hall.
Equipment
For the normal functioning of the cafe, the following equipment is required:
- coffee equipment;
- refrigerators and freezers;
- food processor;
- Microwave;
- hob;
- oven;
- cutting table;
- shop windows.
If you plan to serve a large number of visitors daily, then you should not save on the purchase of equipment and interior design of the hall. Guests should be comfortable in the cafe, and they should see that they are served at a high level.
HR issues
When you find a suitable room for a cafe, carry out repairs and purchase equipment, you will have to solve personnel issues. The quality of service and the satisfaction of visitors depends on the skill level of employees. If the bartender gives guests tastelessly prepared coffee or waitresses take orders too long and give orders or take them off the tables at the wrong time, then the success of the cafeteria is under great threat.
For the full work of a catering establishment, it is necessary to hire the following employees:
- manager
- two cooks;
- four waiters;
- one bartender;
- two cleaners.
To increase the efficiency and quality of productivity, you can introduce a bonus system and bonus ones, conduct regular trainings and master classes, as well as draw up a convenient work schedule for staff.
Menu
Regardless of the format of the institution, the assortment of any cafe should include coffee, milk and chocolate shakes, ice cream, beer and various snacks. In addition, the menu can include various pastries and desserts that women and children will certainly buy. As for the main menu, you can make it from the first and second courses, which are perfect for a quick and inexpensive lunch.
Marketing
So, you already know how to open a cafeteria, so it's time to talk about its advertising and promotion. This is a very important step when starting a business, because no matter how good was your cafe, if you do not know about it, then the profit will not bring it. With a properly conducted marketing campaign, you can significantly reduce the payback period and increase the margin.
You can advertise a cafe by distributing paper leaflets, on social networks, in local newspapers, or on the radio. The estimated cost of advertising at the initial stage of the opening of the cafe is approximately 100 thousand rubles.
Associated costs
When opening a cafe, you will have to purchase equipment for storage and cooking, tables and chairs, dishes, household chemicals and much more. These needs will require approximately one and a half million rubles, however, this amount may vary depending on the type of catering establishment.
In addition, in the process of work, you will have associated costs, such as: rent, expenses for the purchase of products, remuneration of employees, utilities, and others. All these expenses should be included in the business plan in the appropriate section so that you can have a clear idea of how much money you need to invest, and after how long you can return them.
Conclusion
Now you know what stages the opening of a cafe consists of. This process is not simple and involves a lot of difficulties, but if you can overcome everything, then you will be provided with a stable and profitable business. The most important thing is to approach the matter seriously and then everything will work out.