We are opening a cafe from scratch. How to open a cafe, where to start? Cafe business plan. Necessary documents to start. Menu and cocktail card

List of necessary things
Paperwork

In any city, even a small one, there are always cafes where you can have a relatively inexpensive and good lunch. But not everywhere children's cafes open. It is believed that children visit cafes much less often than adults. But if you organize your business correctly, you can make good money at a children's cafe. Let's look at how to open a children's cafe and why this business is worthy of your attention.

Summary of the children's cafe business

The latter cafe, where you can go with your children or have a good time with the whole family, is in great demand. Families come to relax together in the cafe, which has space for adults and children, an interesting menu and exciting games. The children's cafe is a godsend for mothers who stay at home with their babies, families with small children, and for those who want to organize a birthday or an exciting holiday for their children.

But for the organizers, opening a children's cafe requires serious preparatory work. If you want to open a children's cafe from scratch, in addition to starting capital you will need:

analyze demand and draw up a business plan,
choose a location and agree on a rental
prepare documents for a children's cafe
think over the interior and make repairs
purchase equipment, furniture and toys
hire staff and buy toys
think over the menu
conduct an advertising campaign

It seems complicated, but any global task can be easily solved if you break it down into several small tasks. It is quite possible to open a children's cafe in 3 months.

Interior and design of a children's cafe

A children's cafe requires a special design. The main thing here is bright colors, a fabulous setting and a “magical” menu. The main task is to attract children so that, having visited your establishment once, they want to come again and again. Therefore, for a long and successful work in this business, you need not only to provide services in the field of catering, but also to organize holidays. In general, a children's cafe requires imagination from the owners: this is a business idea for creative people.

An excellent example of this kind of establishment is the Anderson cafe in Kazan. Everything here is done for the convenience and comfort of preschool and school-age children: columns in the shape of toy houses, unusual serving of dishes, beautiful children's furniture, even very comfortable toilets. And, of course, fascinating labyrinths and toys. There is even an inscription for adults: “Children left unattended will be eaten or sold into slavery.”

There are many very interesting cafes for children on earth with wonderful design and interior. One of the most amazing children's cafes in the world is “Alice in Wonderland” in Japan, where all the decorations of the Disney cartoon are reproduced: huge volumes, a checkerboard-shaped floor, unusual doors. There is a Barbie Cafe for girls in Taiwan.. The entire interior of the establishment is designed in pink.- from curtains to waiters' clothes.

A good children's cafe is always creativity + love for children. If you just want to make money, stop at a regular cafe or other catering outlet.

How to open a children's cafe - step-by-step instructions

Before opening a children's cafe, you need to carefully consider your business plan, and how, exactly, you want to attract visitors to your establishment? To get a good income, an interesting menu needs to be combined with a good entertainment program. Let's look at how to open a children's cafe step by step.

Step 1. Analyze demand. Go to all the children's cafes in the area and see how the work is organized: what kind of design, entertainment, menu, prices there are. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of these establishments. Analyze the number and composition of visitors. Who comes there - couples with small children or schoolchildren? What hours or days are cafes full? How often do they organize parties?

Step 2. Find a room. It is advisable to choose a room for a cafe on the ground floor of a residential building. The second option is a shopping and entertainment center. It is desirable that the area be at least 100 square meters. meters, since it will be necessary to place a hall with tables, a games room, and utility rooms. If possible, you can open

small cinema hall,
pets' corner,
a point selling children's clothing;
a place for renting cosplay costumes.

Step 3. Repair and selection of equipment. Let's look at it in more detail below. At the same time, you can begin to register the enterprise.

Step 4. Find staff, think over animation and distinctive features of your cafe. It would be nice if there were clowns in the cafe, and waiters dressed in costumes of fairy-tale characters. You can also organize additional off-site events.

Step 5. Create a cafe operating schedule that suits all visitors. The cafe can be open from 10 to 22 hours. For small children with their parents - up to 18 hours, and the rest of the time - for high school students, to whom you can also offer your own tricks, for example, interesting events.

Step 6. Create a menu. Firstly, it should be different from an adult, secondly, the portions should be smaller, and thirdly, come up with an interesting presentation and names of dishes. Certain dishes can be served in the form of figures: snowmen, animals, etc. It will be much more interesting for a child to eat a rice snowman instead of rice porridge, or a white mouse instead of a dumpling. As for the names, the tonis should also be original: “funny hamburger”, “shaggy sausage”, “sunshine on a plate”.

Step 7 Advertising campaign. A new children's cafe definitely needs good advertising. It is best to give it on social networks, and also make your own website. You can also place advertisements on sites that are somehow related to children: children's entertainment, clothing for children, etc. You definitely need to make a good colorful sign, and if possible, place advertisements in kindergartens and schools.

List of necessary things

Equipment for a children's cafe is a special item, since it is subject to certain requirements. You will need:

For the hall:

tables (low);
chairs (various sizes);
showcase.

For kitchen:

slabs;
cabinets of a certain height,
fridge,
Dishwasher;
tables;
hood;
special tools and utensils.

For the play area:

labyrinth;
Stuffed Toys.

As for the rooms where children will be, they should be as comfortable as possible for them. It is not advisable to use fragile dishes or slippery materials. The main criteria are functionality and safety. It is better to choose wooden furniture, without sharp corners, and have special chairs for children.

Paperwork

To open a businessWithno problem, you must register it immediately. For a children's cafe, two forms of business registration are acceptable: individual entrepreneur or LLC. You can register either at the tax office itself or complete the documents online. There are no problems now.

The easiest way is to register an individual entrepreneurship. To do this, you need to pay a state fee of 800 rubles, fill out a special form, and prepare a photocopy of your passport. Forming an LLC will cost more, and you will also need charter documents. Individual entrepreneur is an easier way, but you need to take into account that in case of failure, an individual entrepreneur will pay with his property, and an LLC - only with the property of the organization.

When registering a business, you will need to indicate the OKVED code. The OKVED code 55.30 is suitable for you, which includes the operation of restaurants and cafes, and it is also advisable to indicate the OKVED code 92.72 - for organizing entertainment and recreation.

When choosing a tax system, it is most convenient to choose the simplified tax system - a simplified system that involves not too complicated reporting and payment of taxes, in which you have to pay 6% of net profit or 15% of earnings.

The downside is that children's institutions are checked more often than others. Therefore, the following should always be available:

lease contract;
permitting documents from SES, State Fire Inspectorate and local administration;
certificates for products and toys;
staff health records.

No licenses or special permits are needed to open a children's cafe.

Financial plan for a children's cafe

Before seriously thinking about opening a children's cafe, it is worth calculating the costs and expected income.

How much does it cost to open a children's cafe?

A cafe is not a cheap idea. Let's calculate how much it costs to open a children's cafe. first you need to be ready to shell out a round sum of about 2,000,000 rubles for your business, depending on what exactly you plan to do. In small cities the amount may be slightly less, in Moscow - even higher.

The biggest expense will be the purchase of equipment. It can cost from 1,000,000 rubles or more.

Purchase of products - 75,000 rubles.

Business registration - 40,000 rubles.

In addition, the amount of starting capital must include rent, taxes, and utility bills, which will amount to another 150-250 thousand rubles.

How much can you earn at a children's cafe?

As a rule, a children's cafe pays for itself in a period of one to three years. Let's calculate how much you can earn from a children's cafe. If we take into account that the average check will be 500 rubles, and the income during events will be 1000 rubles, then with an average occupancy of a cafe with 10-12 tables, you can earn from 3,000,000 to 4,500,000 rubles per month.

How to open a children's cafe in a small town

In megalopolises and large cities, there is some competition in the field of children's cafes. In a small town, a children's cafe may be the only one, but this does not mean that the requirements for it will be less. And we are talking not only about the requirements for premises and equipment. If you want your cafe to work for a long time and generate good income, it must be suitable for both adults and children. The establishment may not have a large area, but you shouldn’t skimp on design, interior and food.

The original design of the establishment, high-quality prepared dishes with unusual names, an exciting program - will certainly bring a large number of customers to your cafe. Moreover, for small towns such an “advertising ploy” as word of mouth remains relevant. If the first visitors like your cafe, they will tell their friends and acquaintances about it, and therefore you will not have to incur extra advertising costs: the establishment’s attendance will increase due to word of mouth.

In addition, you can save on staff. You will need 2-3 waiters, a cook who can also be a pastry chef, and a cleaning lady who also doubles as a cloakroom attendant. So opening a cafe in a small town is even easier and cheaper than in a metropolis. Another advantage of a small city is better transport accessibility compared to a metropolis and the inexperience of the population. If in Moscow and other large cities it is difficult to surprise visitors with animation and a new play area, in a small city it is easier to do this. But keep in mind that the average price tag in your cafe should be “reasonable” for people with an average income in your city.

An alternative to a children's cafe - a cafe with a play area

An alternative to a children's cafe can be a cafe with a children's playroom or area. That is, the cafe can be for adults, but the trick is to make it a playground for children: install a labyrinth, a dry pool, buy toys. A cafe with a gaming room will attract more customers for the following reasons:

Parents will have a place to leave their children, and they will be able to sit quietly at tables;

Children will play exciting games without disturbing adults.

A cafe with a games area is a good option for families with children who want to spend the evening together.

Opening a cafe with a children's playroom or area is not difficult, but it will require additional expenses. The play area does not have to be in a separate room. It is enough to make a play area and, for example, put a small labyrinth in it.Cafe for children's parties

These are rather cafe-clubs where children can gather to spend time together, have fun and play. The program usually includes food, games, and animation. Seats in these cafes are always reserved in advance. Additional services are well sold there - for example, calling animators.

Children's mini-cafe

To begin with, you can try your hand at opening a mini-cafe. It can be placed in a large playroom: a small display case and 2-3 tables will completely solve the problem.

Children's cafe franchise

If you don’t know how to open a children’s cafe from scratch, if difficulties arise, you can start working as a franchise. What do franchisors usually offer?

ready-made project for business development;
ongoing support;
fast start;
raw materials and equipment.

It is better to start working with well-known brands that have already established themselves in the market and are well known.

What franchises can you consider?

Franchise of the Kinderland network To start, you need 3,500,000 rubles. Monthly contributions -5% of earnings. The project can be repaid within one and a half to two years.
Franchise of the network "Cinderella". Initial investment - 2,500,000 rubles, royalties -5%. The investment pays off within a year.
Franchise of the Anderson network. Starting capital 2,000,000 rubles. Royalty - 10%. Payback 1.5-2 years.

It's up to you to open a cafe from scratch or as a franchise. Of course, if you open a cafe from scratch, the costs will be lower and you will have more freedom in choosing the design and interior. If you work as a franchise, an already promoted children's cafe brand will help you.

A children's cafe is a sought-after and popular business, because most parents want to see their children happy and do not spare money for this. If you are creative and love children, you will like this business and, if successful, it will bring not only pleasure, but also high income.

Entertainment facilities for children are very popular nowadays. As a rule, everything in them is thought out to the smallest detail: comfortable, safe furniture, bright decoration, a menu with children’s favorite dishes and all sorts of events that make little visitors delighted.

Cafes for children are in great demand, so the prospect of opening such an establishment attracts budding businessmen. For an entrepreneur's business to be successful, he needs a children's cafe with calculations.

Where to begin?

The first step is to decide on the direction of the establishment. The level of investment, as well as subsequent attendance and the amount of income, will directly depend on it. Ideas for a children's cafe format:

An establishment with a games room. Both children and parents can have a pleasant time there. Adults can sit at the tables, chatting while waiting for their order, and kids will play in a special area. It usually contains ball pools, trampolines, slides, labyrinths and even a small sports complex. Children are supervised by animators or teachers. You can also equip a development corner with board games, construction sets, crayons, paints, brushes, etc.;
Themed cafe. The design of the site in such an establishment is designed in a certain style. For example, the theme of a popular cartoon, book or children's comic is taken. Animators wearing life-size puppets entertain visitors;
Family restaurant. Such a place may not have a games room, but the menu and interior of the room will be adapted for families with children of different ages.

Interior of a cafe for children, decorated in a fairytale style

Whatever concept an entrepreneur chooses, he must understand that organizing a children's cafe is not an easy task. It is necessary not only to think through the equipment and furniture to the smallest detail, but also to take care of reliable suppliers who will deliver high-quality food products. This is especially important if the cafe's main customers are children.

How to open a children's cafe from scratch: a package of documents for starting a business

A similar project can be launched after completing the registration procedure with the Federal Tax Service. A businessman planning to open a small establishment needs to register as an individual entrepreneur. This is a budget procedure (no more than 800 rubles) that will not take much time.

It is better for future owners of large offices to register as an LLC. The total cost of paperwork will be about 14 thousand rubles, but the legal entity will have an expanded range of opportunities.

Entrepreneurs who want to open one large cafe or chain of establishments should immediately register an LLC. This will give them a number of advantages that are not available to individual entrepreneurs.

After a businessman has registered, he needs to obtain permits from the authorities exercising control over the activities of enterprises:

Rospotrebnadzor;
fire inspection.

In addition to these documents, the entrepreneur will need quality certificates for gaming equipment and food products. He must have agreements on hiring staff, renting premises and contracts with suppliers. The owner of the establishment must ensure that each of the workers he hires has a health certificate.

All cafe staff are required to have personal medical records

Cafe for children as a business: premises requirements

In the place where it is planned to open a children's institution, there must be:

water pipes;
fire alarm;
waste system;
lighting;
ventilation;
circuit;
security and video surveillance systems.

The area of the room must be more than 100 square meters. m, it includes:

dinner Zone;
kitchen;
children's area (if necessary);
office premises;
administrative office;
bathrooms.

Good cafe attendance often depends on the availability of parking and the proximity of transport interchanges. If it is difficult to get to the establishment, it is unlikely to pay off.

For this reason, entrepreneurs often locate children's restaurants in shopping centers and malls. Large-scale establishments with large trampolines and areas for riding electric cars can also be opened there; they will quickly gain popularity among families with children. Parents will be able to leave their children in a specially designated area while they go shopping in peace.

If you open a cafe in a residential building, then you need to think about the decoration of the facade. The exterior design should be bright and interesting (so that it immediately attracts the child’s attention).

When choosing a premises, you need to inquire in advance whether the building is subject to demolition. This can be done at the city department of architecture. If the institution gives a positive answer, you will have to look for another home to open a business.

It is also important to take into account all the requirements of SanPiN. If you do not comply with them, you can receive colossal fines or even a criminal sentence.

The cost of renting space directly depends on the region and population. In small cities, the price per square meter starts from 40 thousand rubles, in large cities - from 80.

A children's cafe located in a shopping center will definitely not be left without visitors.

Financial plan with calculations 2019: equipment purchase

The choice of purchased equipment and furniture depends on the format of the cafe. The minimum list will be like this:

tables for visitors;
sofas, armchairs or chairs;
toys and decor for the hall;
cutlery and dishes;
refrigerators;
kitchen tables;
dishwashers or wash tubs;
slabs;
blender/coffee maker/microwave (depending on the menu);
grill;
pizza oven.

This equipment is enough for a small establishment. If an entrepreneur decides to open a children's cafe with a playroom in a small town, he needs to count on more equipment and furniture, to which will be added toys and other children's entertainment. For example, about 300 thousand rubles will be spent on decorating the hall:

8 tables for adults;
2 tables for children;
32 chairs for adults;
10 high chairs for children;
2 sofas;
2 carpets;
1 bar counter;
3 floor hangers;
children's labyrinth;
a pool filled with balls;
information desk;
4 sets of blinds;
4 pillows;
Other decor and toys.

Approximately 500 thousand will be spent on equipping the kitchen:

pizza oven;
oven;
electric stove;
Dishwasher;
blender;
meat grinder;
coffee machine;
fridge;
a set of dishes for 40 visitors;
overalls for staff;
tablecloths;
towels;
napkins.

All kinds of games and soft poufs for the children's corner will cost about 80 thousand rubles, for office equipment for the staff - 90 thousand. If the cafe will have televisions, then you need to allocate 100 thousand for them. In total, about 100 thousand will be required for equipment, furniture and arrangement of the children's corner 1 million rubles.

Recruitment: where to start?

You can place advertisements on job search portals, as well as conduct a campaign on social networks. These are the most reliable ways to attract potential employees in the service sector. In order for an entertainment cafe for children to start operating, it will need:

good cooks with appropriate education;
waiters with experience;
animators and teachers;
cleaners;
administrators;
security guards;
accountant.

Kitchen workers and hall staff in contact with children are required to have health certificates. In general, it is worth hiring people with an active lifestyle who love children. A close-knit team focused on a common result is half the success.

Workers must be friendly

Marketing plan: what is needed to open a cafe?

In order for the establishment to begin operating successfully from the first days of opening, it is necessary to think through an advertising campaign in advance. It may consist of:

posts on social networks;
distribution of leaflets;
creating your own Internet portal;
placement of banners on third-party resources;
posting advertisements;
announcements at events;
buyout of airtime in the media.

Advertising should be selected depending on the type of locality. If it is a big city, then it is better to give preference to leaflets, social networks, websites and the local press. In a small town, you can use both the above methods and outdoor advertising.

Income and expenses: how much does it cost to open a cafe?

If we take as a basis an establishment with 30-40 tables and a games room, then you will need to invest about 1.5-2 million rubles in it. They are distributed like this:

Repair, design and equipment – 1 million;
Advertising – 120 thousand;
Salary to employees – 400 thousand;
Documents, rent and outsourcing – 200 thousand;
Reserve fund - 100 thousand.

These figures are approximate, since you can hire fewer staff and also save on advertising. The establishment's income will be from 1 to 1.5 million per year. Thus, it will pay for itself in 12-18 months.

To increase your profit margin, you can introduce additional services: holding holidays, making baked goods to order, field service, etc.

Opening a children's cafe is not difficult. It is important to draw up a business plan correctly and decide on the direction of the establishment. If you comply with all standards and sincerely love your business, then it will bring not only income, but also pleasure to the owner.

The restaurant business is becoming increasingly popular in Russia. Now you can open a cafe or bar of exactly the type you have always dreamed of. This could be a mini cafe or a fast food restaurant. You may want to open a pastry shop or make the first children's cafe in the area.

There are a lot of options, but what are the first steps you need to take to open a cafe? Where to start a business plan and what to pay attention to when this is your first project?

Choosing premises for a successful establishment

The first key point in creating an establishment where you can have a snack is the choice of premises. The success or failure of the project will depend on it. You can make a luxurious renovation, create a unique atmosphere and hire a brilliant chef. But if the wrong area is chosen, then there will be no visitors: the cafe and ticket office will be empty day after day. Unfortunately, there are a lot of such examples among those who think

A business plan begins with finding space. When choosing a beachhead, pay attention to the condition of the main communication systems. Pay attention to the presence of sewerage, water supply and heating. A good option would be to buy out an old dining room that already has a kitchen. It is harder and more expensive to build a new cafe from premises that are not adapted for food preparation, but are cheaper: hangars and warehouses.

Most eateries and bars open in residential areas.
If there was already a canteen, pub or restaurant in this place, then everything is in order, you can open a cafe in a residential building. But if you decide to open a cafe for the first time, where to start the process to avoid a lot of pitfalls? If the sounds of music and the aromas of the kitchen become uninvited guests in residents' apartments, then problems can begin very quickly. Therefore, it is worth taking care in advance about good zoning of the room, sound insulation and exhaust hood. If residents find the neighborhood inconvenient, the cafe may simply be closed.

Rent or buy?

Renting is not the best option. Especially if we are talking about a large cafe. Rents tend to rise, and not because of the good economic situation in the country. If you suddenly decide to move, the repairs and clientele will remain with the owner. Most of the venerable, established restaurateurs opened their business by buying out the property. After this, the establishment can be advertised on a larger scale, understanding that PR costs are an investment in the future. In addition, if the project does not take place for some reason, you can always rent out your space, but subletting is more difficult.

Before opening, you should contact specialists in order to find out whether it is profitable to open a cafe, take into account all legal regulations and state requirements. Based on these recommendations, a project plan is drawn up. After receiving a business plan for a cafe, an example of it must be submitted to Rospotrebnadzor. After the project has been agreed upon with government agencies, repairs and redevelopment can begin.

A meal with good taste

It is very important to choose a single concept and style of a restaurant or cafe. What audience do you want to work for? Who do you want to see among your guests? Answering these questions will help you understand the values of your potential visitors and develop an appropriate image. Do not forget to take into account your ideas, because your personal dream is now being realized.

It doesn’t matter what level of restaurant you are planning to open, it is important to find your own “zest” around which the concept will be built. Think about what this criterion is that will distinguish your shop from all others? This question will help you successfully open a cafe.

How to implement a business plan?

The first step is to carry out segmentation and risk assessment. Enthusiasts often skip these stages, underestimating the weaknesses of the enterprise and the strengths of competitors. In addition, at this stage it is worth calculating the monetary costs, finding out

A working cafe business plan is an example of good preparation. It cannot be done without an accurate portrait of a potential client, his social income, tastes, and lifestyle.

Right now the question is being decided about where the cafe will receive the main profit: through high turnover or high markup? If, let's say, your typical guest is a young student who likes to spend time with friends, consuming chips and light beer, then he is unlikely to appreciate expensive gourmet food. Nor will he understand the fabulous prices for a cream made from 30 ingredients and goose liver prepared according to a special recipe. This type of business planning will most likely end in failure, despite the fact that you manage to open a cafe.

Where to start: documentation and registration

For this you will need a package of documents.

Firstly, only an entrepreneur can do business in our country. You must first open an LLC or individual entrepreneur.

Secondly, collect the following documentation package:

permission to locate an establishment issued by Rospotrebnadzor;
permission obtained from fire safety authorities;
confirmation of the premises’ compliance with sanitary standards (lease agreement, staff medical records, state registration certificate, permit for raw materials and commercial products);
licenses for the sale of retail trade, alcohol and tobacco;
patent for trade activities in a given territory (issued by local authorities);
notification of the start of activity.

Federal Law No. 294-FZ of December 26, 2008 “On the protection of the rights of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs in the exercise of state control (supervision) and municipal control” regulates this activity.

A legal entity (entrepreneur) provides the necessary documentation to Rospotrebnadzor at its actual location. The completed notification is supplemented by a copy of an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (entrepreneurs), as well as a copy of the certificate of registration with the tax authorities. These documents are enough to open a cafe.

Let's start work

The operation of even the smallest catering establishment is unthinkable without equipment. In order to brew a cup of coffee or make ice cream, you need a technical base. It is necessary to think through all the details at the design stage of the room.

All equipment must be as functional and practical to use as possible, durable, and meet the requirements for bars, restaurants and cafes. Otherwise, the technology simply will not pay off.

Modern devices allow you to quickly prepare high-quality dishes. But high productivity is not only the result of the establishment’s powerful technical base, but also the ability of the staff to work on it. It is very important to conduct a master class for employees after purchasing a new car.

The right equipment will increase the profitability of the business, while the wrong machines will lead to losses.

Furniture and furnishings

This is another important issue that you should devote your attention to before opening a cafe. Where to start building the situation? A profitable solution would be to order a set of furniture designed in a single design. However, this is an exclusive option - it is always more expensive. You can purchase ready-made furniture. If the cafe is the first such enterprise, then cheap furniture will serve as a model to better understand the needs of the establishment. Next time it will be easier to order suitable furniture.

Human factor: selecting talented personnel

The number of employees will depend on the establishment's sales volume. All roads in the “eating room” come down to the cook. He's like a captain on a ship. The chef must not only prepare delicious dishes, but also decorate them beautifully. It’s very good if you know your future chef in advance, even at the stage when you are developing a business plan for a cafe.

An example when a business is opened under a famous master will definitely not go unnoticed in the city.

The ideal composition of a kitchen is a chef, the required number of cooks and dishwashers. There should be two such trains - for a shift work schedule. The owner's right hand - the chef - must cook quickly, without compromising the quality of the dishes, since in such places there are often influxes of visitors.

If the chef is the soul of the establishment, then the next group of workers is his face. Bartenders, waiters, administrators personally address the client. The impression a venue manager makes when greeting guests can be a turning point in future relationships.

If you don't have experience hiring employees, try the following advice. Think about your favorite place and try to chat with its owner about choosing staff. Find out from him the details of how to open a cafe. The business plan of his idea already lives within the walls of the establishment, and perhaps his advice will save you from financial and emotional disasters. The successful experience of a colleague is always invaluable to someone who knows how to learn.

Any owner will tell you that you shouldn’t choose employees based on just good looks. Sometimes administrators, like waiters, have to find themselves in very delicate situations, where they need to both defend the honor of the establishment and not lose a client. Here, of course, you need intelligence and resourcefulness. Such a person can make mistakes, but should not let the owner down. The ability to resolve conflicts peacefully is a precious talent, so pay your employees for it when calculating salaries.

A good waiter is also an excellent salesperson who will be able to offer exactly what the client wants or does not yet know what he wants.

To make the café inexpensive, you can invite an already established team there, or at least the core of a team that has worked together for quite a long time. This will help make the work process quick and harmonious. This is an important nuance that unfavorably distinguishes new establishments from venerable chains.

"Delicious" day

So, when the basic procedures are completed and guests can be invited, the stage of purchasing food begins. Of course, if you have not invested in advertising and are not expecting an influx of visitors on the first day, then you can gradually improve the menu by refining the kitchen. And yet you have come this way for the sake of success, and the success of an establishment is its full house. Groceries are perishable goods, but it’s better to stock up on them in abundance than to be left with a full room and empty refrigerators, explaining that you were just able to open a cafe.

Where to start purchasing? This issue has been pretty well worked out in chain coffee shops. They have established supplies with the best suppliers for the network, and when opening a new outlet, the franchise owner will already have an approximate estimate and telephone numbers for coordinating purchases. You can use this experience yourself, especially if you are going to discover where there is room to gain experience.

"Edible" budget

A good advantage of large cities like Moscow is the opportunity to borrow or use some equipment for free.

Suppliers can provide free of charge In addition, venerable companies with deep pockets offer free souvenir accessories to attract customers. Bar mugs, ashtrays and even furniture with logos. All this will be an invaluable contribution to those who want to open a cafe inexpensively. Some equipment, such as a microwave or kettle, can be brought from home.

If you open a cafe in an average Russian city, then the advantages will be different. There is no need to invest in interior design and diversify the menu every week. There is no need for fabulous advertising and a glamorous image of the establishment. This may even scare off visitors who understand the word “comfort” differently than “metropolitan things.”

The first major expenses will be advertising, salaries and food costs. The first months are usually unprofitable, but do not despair if you have already managed to open a cafe. Where to start in this situation is by gutting the “financial cushion”. This is the amount that was initially budgeted for such a period. Once the company is on an even course, expenses will primarily relate to repairs and equipment upgrades.

Quick Spoon: How to open a fast food cafe?

If you are deciding on the type of cafe, then it is worth noting that the demand for fast food is very high.

The fact is that this type of food is suitable for poorer groups of the population due to the low cost of lunch and for office workers who snack on the go. This creates a certain blur in the client's portrait, but brings other project criteria to the fore.

A fast cafe should be located in a place with high traffic of people. You need to separate yourself from your competitor. To do this, it is enough to open a mini-cafe at least around the corner from the shopping center where the rival is located: the main thing is that the flows of people do not intersect.

From a legal perspective, opening a fancy restaurant requires as much work as opening a fast food joint. But investments in the second will be tens of times less. The owner of such a business mostly invests in primitive kitchen equipment and renting premises.

The smallest gourmets

Kids are also connoisseurs of gourmet cooking. But they value, rather, something else. How to open a children's cafe in your city and not go wrong? It is worth noting that this is still an unfilled niche in Russia, while in the West there is a children's cafe in every crowded place, and a children's menu in every self-respecting restaurant.

Here, of course, special attention should be paid to the design of the room so that the kids feel comfortable. It’s better to invite a designer and consult with the animators, because they will organize holidays and events here. Perhaps it is worth choosing one stylistic line, fairy tale, era. The surroundings should evoke a feeling of comfort and recognition in children, and a fabulous feeling in their parents.

A good place for a children's restaurant would be where there is a kindergarten, a clinic for children or a playground nearby. It is enough to make a hall with 60 seats and fill the menu with fancy-shaped pasta, soups and delicious cereals - with such a base you can already open a cafe.

Confectionery business

This is the most fertile ground for investment. To open a snack bar with one oven, 100 thousand dollars is enough. Therefore, opening a bakery cafe is quite simple.

This establishment will delight its guests with fresh pastries and a hot drink. By the way, that’s why they come to the confectionery - delicious baked goods, and they are only good when fresh. Therefore, this type of cafe requires not a cook, but a baker.

The profitability of the business reaches 30% with an investment of 400 thousand dollars.

Confectionery shops are very different. These could be art trams at metro stations, where you can buy muffins and tea bags. But it could also be a confectionery house with a century-old history, where real works of art are made. And people are willing to pay for tasty and beautiful carbohydrates.

About 2 years ago a client came to our company. Of course, there is nothing unusual in this situation; they come to us all the time. His request was unusual: “How to open a cafe and where to start?”

We are periodically ordered to perform various analyses, marketing research, etc. But this is the first time we have encountered such a request. And, to be honest, we were even a little scared.

And not even because they had not dealt with similar projects before, but because his request included the note “Do whatever you want, there is money, and even the premises have already been purchased.”

Where to begin

Experienced restaurateurs have already realized that the whole failure was in the words “the premises have already been purchased.” Because this initially kills the entire strategy of a successful cafe in the bud.

True, at that time we still did not understand this (now we are no longer ashamed to admit it) and happily got down to business. Looking ahead, I will say that even despite our inexperience, at that moment the project turned out to be quite successful.

Some things will seem simple and obvious to you, some will be a revelation, but at least for a person who plans to open a cafe, this article will be very, very useful.

Let's figure out what steps need to be taken so that after saying the phrase: “How to open a profitable cafe and where to start?” you got it and it was successful.

And since we haven’t had any cases for a long time, I’ll tell you how we followed this plan and what we implemented in the cafe.

WE ARE ALREADY MORE THAN 29,000 people.
TURN ON

Choice of concept

Yes, opening any cafe, coffee shop or restaurant begins with choosing a concept. And yes, I will chew your ears once again, but you will have to think about your target audience.

Why? Well, at least, because the premises, where it will be located geographically, what the menu will be and, naturally, who your visitors will depend on this will depend.

And in this matter, experienced restaurateurs will support me with both hands. Everything must be taken into account here from the name, location to pricing policy and menu.

How we did it: We came up with the concept of the establishment after hearing a song somewhere, to which we then found suitable images of clothing stores.

As a result, the idea was born: it was supposed to be a youth cafe with trendy music, inexpensive food, and take-away coffee. Waiters and bartenders wear fashionable plaid shirts. And a completely alcohol-free establishment.

Design example

Search for premises

Another important point. If not even the most important one. More than half of the success of the future establishment will depend on the place where it will be located.

Availability of parking, is it as close as possible to your potential client, is it easy to get to him.

Do you think I find fault so much because I'm so smart? I think you all know McDonald's. Here is an excellent example of how to approach the search for premises (in their case land), because they do not choose places at random.

Previously, they used helicopters to assess cheap land and development prospects for the region.

And since 1980, they developed their own Quintilion program, which suggested potential locations for restaurants using satellite images, demographic data of the region and a lot of other data for analysis.

It's no surprise that they are currently the largest fast food chain in the world. Because they think through everything to the smallest detail and think ahead.

How we did it: Here we were both lucky and unlucky at the same time. The owner already owned the premises, so we came up with the concept, design and interior based on it.

By the way, here is an example of a bar counter that we created jointly with the project designers, based on the concept that we defined above.

Bar counter layout

Revealing the pitfalls

You already have a cafe concept. You have found a room. Start ordering a design. Stop! It's time to check whether you have taken into account all the pitfalls!

A simple example. You have come up with a cafe with hookahs, have already practically developed the project, found a room, and then it turns out that in this room it is impossible to install a hood, as required in the project.

Or an even more life-like example. Cafe with alcohol. You've almost decided to open, all that's left is to get a liquor license.

And then it turns out that no one will give you a licensed medical facility or an alcohol license near you, even on pain of death.

Do you think the examples are stupid and an experienced businessman wouldn’t do that? I took examples not from my head, but from real life and the experience of my friends. So draw conclusions and analysis 😉

How we did it: We were faced with the problem that we had less cooking space in our kitchen than was required according to sanitary and epidemiological standards.

I had to solve this in the most favorite way in Russia, “by closing the eyes of the inspection authorities for gratitude.” I hope you don't tell anyone about this ;)-

Creating a menu

Will your cafe serve food? What will the prices be for food? Can your audience afford such expensive food? A huge number of questions and so few answers 😉 Here's what you need to pay attention to when creating a menu and setting up a kitchen:

The kitchen must be designed in accordance with SanPiN 2.3.6.1079-01 (this is, of course, a requirement for the premises, but also an important issue);

If you want your cafe to be distinguished by the fact that it is delicious, then I will disappoint you - this is not the primary criterion for choosing an establishment. When I come to any cafe, I expect it to be delicious.

Therefore, food should a priori be tasty and boast about it; there is no need to rely on it. It just doesn't work.

However, you don’t have to act like McDonald’s. If you don't already know, my favorite chef, Jamie Oliver, recently won a lawsuit against them, proving that their burgers are not edible.

Because it's not food, as they simply soak beef fat in ammonium hydroxide and add a drop of meat to it.

That is, they actually poison a person. McDonald's is actively trying to hush up this trial, but we'll see how it all ends.

If you decide to focus mainly on selling food, then let me remind you that the markup on food is 400 percent, and on tea/coffee it reaches 1000%!

Oh! I have just revealed the biggest secret of all establishments! Therefore, think about how you will make money.

How we did it: In the cafe, we have placed the main emphasis on takeaway coffee, and we are very actively promoting this direction. Over the past 2 months, the number of such checks has increased by 50%

Alcohol! 60-70% of any bar's income comes from alcohol. Just think about it!

The menu should be colorful, with appetizing pictures that will arouse your appetite. This way you will increase your sales by simply using your subconscious.

How we did it: Yes, we had to hire a specially trained photographer, allocate time for a chef, etc., but believe me, it’s worth it.

Scientists from the University of Illinois found that a colorful menu (with photos and vivid descriptions) increases establishment sales by 27%.

And here comes the next point. Everything that is photographed on the menu must be served in the same form. Otherwise, the reputation of the establishment will be significantly tarnished.

Last thing. Don't forget to analyze the menu. Remove slow-moving items, slightly raise prices for the most popular dishes and periodically introduce new items. The recommended frequency is once every three months.

Personnel search

Stumbling block. Some people think it is better to hire experienced staff. Some people think that it will be cheaper and faster to teach.

It’s up to you to decide, but at a minimum, you need chefs and bartenders with experience. And remember the concept! You will also select personnel according to it. Even their appearance can become a selection criterion.

Marketing and advertising

The topic of a separate article. Is it true! We have tried so many things in catering marketing that we could write an entire article. But here's what definitely works:

Flyer. Works, tested;
Social networks (in particular Vkontakte and Instagram);
Articles on news portals;
Website;

Becoming an entrepreneur in the restaurant business is the key to success in our time, despite the fact that it is a crisis. The main thing in this matter is to find a good idea to implement your plan. In this article we will tell you in detail how much it costs to open a cafe from scratch and what documents you need to prepare for this. We will describe all the nuances that it is advisable to consider before trying to build your business in this field of activity.

Business Features

There are several basic points that you should definitely understand before getting into something like the restaurant business, namely:

You need to decide on the range of products and services of your future enterprise. This will definitely help you figure out which cafe can be opened specifically in your city with the amount of start-up capital that you have. In addition, you need to analyze the modern service sector in order to understand which cafe is better to open so that people will visit it. Thematic establishments are in particular demand today: Japanese, Chinese and Italian restaurants and mini-cafes;
You should also figure out what place in the city you need to open a mini cafe from scratch or any other catering establishment. It is advisable to choose places where a large number of people always concentrate - near hotels, sports and entertainment centers;
Based on the amount of starting capital, you will need to decide on the form of service in it. At the initial stages, after opening a cafe-bar from scratch, a form such as self-service will suit you. In the future, it will be possible to hire waiters;
There is one more thing you need to open a cafe from scratch. You need to decide whether your catering will operate seasonally or permanently;
You also need to know, if you want to open a cafe, where to start your business - from a mobile enterprise or a stationary one.

In light of the above, one conclusion arises - in order to open your own cafe, you need to know that this is a rather complex and painstaking process that requires special endurance, patience and, accordingly, knowledge in the economic field from a beginning entrepreneur.

Registration of activities

What does it take to open a cafe from scratch, first of all? An enterprise such as a cafe must be officially registered in the state register of small businesses. But in order to open a cafe-bar, you need to be issued the following permits:

To locate the enterprise you have chosen as an object;
From the fire safety service. This is especially true if the premises you have chosen as a place to open a cafe have only recently been put into operation;
The same permission will have to be obtained from the sanitary and epidemiological station. This document is issued within 10 days by the chief doctor of the SES, if you take into account a number of other nuances that are needed to open a cafe.

You will have to additionally collect the following list of documents:

Lease agreement for the premises where your catering will be located;
Licenses for products that you will use in your work;
Certificate of registration of a private enterprise;
Documents confirming that you and your staff have undergone a full medical examination;
You also need to obtain a patent from local governments for trading activities.

You should know if you want to open a cafe, that for this you need to determine the legal form of the future establishment. You can register it like:

IP (individual entrepreneur);
OJSC (open joint stock company);
LLC (limited liability company).

Institution format and concept

Are you still undecided? Try opening your own cafe. For this, as we mentioned above, it is very important to decide on the concept and format of the future establishment. In order for you to understand more clearly in this area, we invite you to pay attention to the following classification of catering establishments.

By type of cafe there are:

General;
Specialized;
Bars.

Each of these catering establishments has its own category:

Luxury - such establishments have unique buildings, premises and furniture (it is made to order). They are provided with all the necessary equipment to have the maximum level of comfort;
Higher - which have a very high level of service, a complex menu, the premises are decorated at the best level, and the technical equipment is of the highest class;
First, this category is assigned to kebab, wine and beer bars;
The second is assigned to canteens;
The third is assigned to buffets that are located in public facilities.

Let's take a closer look at what type of cafe you can open:

How to open a fast food cafe from scratch?

This is the most affordable public catering establishment, which people go to with great pleasure, because they can eat quickly and inexpensively (about 100 rubles per person). The menu of such a cafe includes dishes that are prepared based on semi-finished products. The only alcoholic drinks sold in such establishments are beer. This format of a catering establishment is the best way to open a roadside cafe from scratch.

How to open a small cafe from scratch using the “Free-flo” type?

In such establishments, the menu is dominated by home-cooked dishes, which are prepared after the client orders. In such cafes nothing is heated. On average, a visitor can eat at the Free-Flo cafe for 150–300 rubles. In addition to beer, you can sell stronger alcoholic drinks here.

In fact, this catering establishment is no different from fast food. Only in them can you get higher profits. People can spend 300-400 rubles per visit on delicious and fresh pizza, as well as some types of snacks and side dishes. This option is suitable for those who are looking for a way to open a family cafe from scratch.

How to open a small cafe from scratch like a “Bar”?

These establishments sell mainly alcoholic beverages and simple hot and cold snacks. They are usually equipped in a high-tech style, there is low lighting, and there are quiet and soft areas. It should be noted that such establishments are in quite high demand, so opening them is very profitable. There are several types of bars:

Cocktail bars where fruits, sweets, and some types of snacks are served with alcoholic drinks. The staff consists of bartenders and waiters;
Disco bars, which function like regular cafes during the day, and like a club in the evening, where you don’t have to order food, but only have fun. By the way, the menu of such establishments usually includes sandwiches and sweets. They are equipped very modernly with lighting, musical equipment, video recorders, light music;
Minibars, which are located at entertainment centers such as cinemas and hotels. They sell mainly sandwiches, ice cream and other similar products;
Grill bars are establishments that differ from fast food cafes only in the way they prepare food. Everything here is grilled;
Cafe-bars are elegant establishments that can accommodate a maximum of 50 visitors. The menu here is very extensive - there are first courses, second courses, and alcoholic drinks. As for the cost of dishes, the check for one visitor can be equal to 500 rubles.

How to open a children's cafe from scratch?

This may be a “free-flo” type catering establishment, but they should not have alcoholic beverages. In addition, it is always equipped with various children's entertainment, and the menu includes sweets, dairy desserts and home-cooked dishes that can be as healthy as possible for children.

How to open an anti-cafe?

It should be noted that this format of establishments is very popular today. People don't have to pay for food there. They pay for the time they spend in the cafe. You can offer people coffee, tea and light snacks free of charge.

How to open a coffee shop?

This type of cafe has taken root quite well in Russia. In such establishments, the menu includes different types of coffee, liqueurs and dessert wines. The list of products also includes confectionery products.

Selecting a location

Another question that is included in the step-by-step instructions on how to open a cafe from scratch is the choice of premises and location of the future cafe. Here you need to take into account the following nuances:

The area of the city in which your cafe will be located should be crowded (this could be residential areas, recreation areas);
The area of the premises for a catering establishment must be no less than 70 and no more than 200 m²;
If your cafe is aimed at people with average incomes, you can choose residential areas;
Do not rent premises for your cafe if before yours there was an establishment of a similar type in it, but it received a bad reputation (your cafe will have the same reputation on a subconscious level among visitors);
The premises must be equipped with all necessary utilities - electricity, running water, heating and sewerage;
Carefully study all the documentation for the premises you want to rent. What is meant here is whether it has been redeveloped, whether it is registered correctly, whether advertising signs can be placed on its façade.

Equipment

When planning where to start opening your cafe, you need to calculate how much money you need to open a cafe. After all, you will have to purchase expensive equipment to furnish the hall of your establishment and kitchen. There is a basic set of what you need to buy:

Oven (a convection oven will also work instead). This equipment must definitely be included in the business plan for opening a cafe from scratch, since it is used to prepare most of the main dishes;
Electric multi-burner stove with oven;
Refrigerated spacious display cases for ready-made dishes;
Dispensing stand;
Coffee machine;
Frying surfaces;
Microwave;
Food processor (preferably several);
Washing.

All of the above-mentioned household appliances can be purchased new, or you can save money and purchase it all second-hand in order to save money. In the first stages of business development, it is quite possible to get by with used equipment, and after achieving results, you can already buy a new one.

Financial investments

The most important thing a novice entrepreneur needs to do is calculate the cost of opening a small cafe from scratch. According to our calculations, how much money is needed to open a cafe, you will have to make the following expenses:

50,000 rubles – rent of premises for a cafe;
100,000 rubles – purchase of the necessary equipment;
60,000 rubles – for products and advertising (this amount will have to be spent monthly).

Note that the cost of opening a cafe from scratch will largely depend on the form of catering establishment that you choose.

Profit

Knowing how much it costs to open a cafe from scratch, logical questions arise - how much can you earn and how quickly. It’s impossible to answer unequivocally here, because profit will directly depend on the attendance of your cafe and the amount of money invested.

If you can organize your business quickly and correctly, then you will receive 100,000 rubles in net profit per month.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's figure out what the positive aspects of the restaurant business are:

This is an exit niche in entrepreneurial activity because it is in demand among people;
Having your own cafe is not only profitable, but also very interesting. Business in the future can become a lifelong endeavor and generate high income.

However, as in any business, there are pitfalls in the restaurant business:

If people work in your cafe, then it cannot be ruled out that they will steal food. To avoid this, you can install surveillance cameras in the cafe, but this is an additional cost;
You will definitely need to monitor the cleanliness and sanitation of your cafe at all times;
You may be bothered by constant checks from different authorities;
It is very difficult to find decent suppliers who will become reliable business partners;
High level of competition.

Advertising campaign

An advertising campaign is of decisive importance in business development, because the profitability of an establishment always depends on it. You will have to think and choose the appropriate tactics in organizing advertising for your cafe. It shouldn't be similar to your competitors' campaigns. What you can use:

1. Outdoor advertising (in public transport, for example, or on street billboards), which will constantly flash before the eyes of your potential customers and thereby arouse interest in your establishment;
2. Internet advertising on social networks, online bulletin boards, and websites (including a personal website). You will have to pay a lot for such services. But if you don’t take advantage of them, you may increase the risk of losing everything and achieving nothing by investing a lot of money;

Media and radio advertising that will help inform people about entertainment programs and promotions of your cafe. With their help, the image of a public institution is formed. Visitors are interested in the difficulty of sitting in comfortable conditions; the mood and atmosphere that reigns in the establishment where they decide to dine, for example, is also important for them;

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