How to create your own cafe. How to open a cafe, where to start: step by step instructions

05.08.2019 Dishes for children

The restaurant business is becoming more and more popular in Russia. Now you can open a cafe or bar of exactly the kind that you have always dreamed of. This could be a mini café or a fast food diner. Perhaps you want to open a confectionery 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 look for when it's the first project?

Choosing a room for a successful establishment

The first key moment in setting up a bite-sized establishment is the choice of premises. The success or failure of the project will depend on it. You can make a chic renovation, create a unique atmosphere and hire a brilliant chef. But if an inappropriate area is chosen, then there will be no visitors: the cafe and the ticket office will be empty day after day. Unfortunately, there are a lot of such examples among those who think

A business plan starts with finding an area. When choosing a foothold, pay attention to the state of the main communication systems. Pay attention to sewerage, water supply and heating. A good option would be to buy out the old dining room, which already has a kitchen. It is harder and more expensive to build a new cafe out of unadapted food preparation, but cheaper premises: hangars and warehouses.

Most eateries and bars are located in residential areas.
If this place already had a dining room, pub or restaurant, 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 in order to avoid a lot of pitfalls? If the sounds of music and the aromas of the kitchen become uninvited guests of the tenants' apartments, then problems can begin very quickly. Therefore, it is worth taking care of good zoning of the room, soundproofing and exhaust hood in advance. If residents find the neighborhood inconvenient, the cafe can simply be closed.

Rent or redeem?

Renting is not the best option. Especially when it comes to a large cafe. The rent tends to grow, and not because of the good economic situation in the country. If you suddenly decide to move, the repair and clientele will remain with the owner. Most of the venerable, established restaurateurs opened their business with the purchase of premises in the property. After that, the institution can be advertised on a large scale, realizing that the cost of PR is an investment in the future. In addition, if the project for some reason does not take place, you can always lease your area, and subleasing is more difficult.

Before opening, it is worth contacting specialists in order to find out whether it is profitable to open a cafe, to take into account all legal regulations and guest requirements. Based on these recommendations, a project plan is drawn up. After the business plan of the cafe has been received, an example must be submitted to Rospotrebnadzor. After agreeing on the project with government agencies, you can proceed with the repair and redevelopment.

Good Taste Meal

It is very important to choose a unified concept and style of the restaurant or cafe. What kind of audience do you want to work for? Who do you want to see among the guests? Answering these questions will help you understand the values ​​of your potential visitors and develop a suitable image. Do not forget to consider your ideas, because now your personal dream is coming true.

It doesn't matter what level of the restaurant you are planning to open - it is important to find your own "zest" around which the concept will be built. Think, what is this criterion 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 perform 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 cash 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 of where the cafe will receive the main profit is being decided: due to high turnover or high markup? If, for example, your typical guest is a young student who enjoys spending time with friends, consuming chips and light beer, then it is unlikely that expensive gourmet meals will be appreciated by him. Nor will he understand the fabulous prices for a cream of 30 ingredients and goose liver cooked according to a special recipe. This type of business planning is likely to end in disaster, despite the fact that you manage to open a cafe.

Where to start: documentation and registration

To do this, you will need a package of documents.

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

Second, build the following documentation package:

  • permission to place an institution, issued by Rospotrebnadzor;
  • permission obtained from the fire safety authorities;
  • confirmation of the compliance of the premises with sanitary standards (lease agreement, medical records of personnel, certificate of state registration, permission for raw materials and commercial products);
  • licenses for the sale of retail trade, alcohol and tobacco;
  • a patent for trade activities in the given territory (issued by local self-government bodies);
  • notification of the beginning of activities.

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 with a copy-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.

Getting started

The work of even the smallest catering 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 over all the details at the stage of designing the premises.

All equipment should be as functional and practical to use as possible, durable, meet the requirements for bars, restaurants and cafes. Otherwise, the technique simply won't pay off.

Modern gadgets allow you to quickly prepare quality meals. But high productivity is not only the result of a powerful technical base of the institution, but also the ability of the staff to work on it. It is very important to hold a master class for employees after purchasing a new car.

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

Furnishings and furnishings

This is another important issue to devote your attention to before opening a cafe. Where to start building the environment? 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. Ready-made furniture can be purchased. If a cafe is the first such enterprise, then cheap furniture will serve as a model to better see the needs of the institution. Next time ordering the right furniture will be easier.

Human factor: we select talented staff

The number of employees will depend on the sales volume of the establishment. All roads in "edalnaya" are reduced to the cook. He's like a captain on a ship. The chef must not only prepare delicious dishes, but also arrange them beautifully. It is 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 right hand of the owner - the chef - must cook quickly, while not compromising the quality of the dishes, since in such places there are quite often influxes of visitors.

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

If you have no experience in hiring workers, then try the following advice. Think back to your favorite spot and try to chat with its owner about staff selection. Ask him for details on how to open a cafe. The business plan of his idea already lives within the walls of the institution, and, perhaps, his advice will save you from financial and emotional disasters. A colleague's successful experience 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 it is necessary to defend the honor of the institution and not to lose the client. Here, of course, you need quick-wittedness, 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 when calculating your salaries, pay your employees for it.

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

In order for the cafe to be inexpensive, you can invite an already established team there, or at least the backbone of a team that has worked together for quite a long time. This will help make the work process fast and harmonious. This is an important nuance that distinguishes new establishments unfavorably from established chains.

"Delicious" day

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

Where to start purchasing? This question is pretty well worked out in chain coffee shops. They have fine-tuned supplies with the best suppliers for the network, and when a new outlet is opened, the franchise owner will already have an approximate estimate, phones for coordinating purchases. You can use this experience on your own, especially if you are going to discover where the experience has a place to pick up.

"Edible" budget

A good advantage of large cities like Moscow is the ability to borrow or borrow a piece of equipment for free.

Suppliers can donate In addition, venerable firms 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 are eager to open a cafe at an inexpensive price. Some of the equipment, such as a microwave or a kettle, can be brought from home.

If you open a cafe in an average Russian city, 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 glamorous image of the institution. It may even scare off visitors who understand the word "comfort" differently than "metropolitan things".

The first major expenses will be advertising, payroll and grocery costs. The first months are usually unprofitable, but don't despair if you've already managed to open a cafe. Where to start in this situation is to gut the "financial pillow". This is the amount that is initially budgeted for a similar period. Once the company is on a level track, the costs will primarily relate to equipment repairs and upgrades.

Quick Scoop: 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 poor groups of the population due to the low cost of lunch and office workers who have a snack on the go. This creates a certain blur in the client's portrait, but brings other design criteria to the fore.

The fast cafe should be located in a place with high traffic of people. You need to isolate 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 streams of people do not intersect.

From a legal point of view, opening a fancy restaurant takes as much work as opening a fast food restaurant. But investments in the second will be ten times less. The owner of such a business mostly invests in primitive kitchen equipment and rental of premises.

The smallest gourmets

Kids are also connoisseurs of gourmet cooking. But they rather appreciate something else. How to open a children's cafe in your city and not miscalculate? It should be noted 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 little ones feel comfortable. It is better to invite a designer and consult with the animators, because they will arrange holidays and events here. Perhaps it is worth choosing one stylistic line, fairy tale, era. The entourage should make children feel comfortable and recognizable, and their parents - fabulous.

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

Confectionery business

This is the most fertile ground for investment. To open a diner with one oven, 100 thousand dollars is enough. Therefore, it is quite easy to open a cafe-pastry shop.

This place will delight guests with fresh pastries and a hot drink. By the way, why they come to the confectionery is delicious bakery products, and they are good only fresh. Therefore, this type of cafe does not need a chef, but a baker.

Business profitability reaches 30% with an investment of 400 thousand dollars.

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

Novice businessmen often pay attention to catering, considering it one of the most profitable industries. This area can really pay off quickly enough, despite the high initial investment. How to open your cafe from scratch so that it becomes a profitable investment of your own money? Drawing up an action plan and following it strictly will be the key to future success.

Benefits of opening a cafe in a small town

Opening a cafe in a small town is a great way to secure yourself a stable profit. This business segment has its own advantages:

  • an entrepreneur will not have to spend a lot of money on advertising, since opening a cafe in a small town will be an important event for local residents, which will surely attract customers;
  • low rental cost (in comparison with large cities);
  • relatively small costs.

Possible risks include a low mark-up on the dishes sold and the low purchasing power of city residents, because their salary level is much lower than that of clients in the capital.

Where to start: step by step instructions

Having decided on the desire to acquire his own catering establishment, the businessman asks the question, where to start opening a cafe? The success of such an enterprise depends on several factors at once:

  1. premises;
  2. interior and equipment;
  3. qualified employees;
  4. the right menu.

It is necessary to work on these issues based on the concept of the institution itself. Fast food is becoming an increasingly popular type of catering. A small amount of money is spent on opening a cafe of this format when compared with full-fledged restaurants, the menu of which contains gourmet dishes.

Fast food is not something new, but it brings its owner a stable income. Many aspiring businessmen open cafes of this format. It becomes a safety cushion. People buy fast food even during the crisis due to the low cost. At first, you need to work, aiming at the following components:

  1. simplicity;
  2. cheapness;
  3. security;
  4. good taste.

When the businessman has decided on the choice of the concept, he can proceed to the search for the most suitable premises.

Location selection

What does it take to open a cafe from scratch? The first step is to find premises that would increase the likelihood of high profits. A person can choose one of the following strategies:

  1. premises in the city center with high traffic;
  2. a point on the periphery with sufficient traffic.

In the second case, it will be possible to save on rent, but the size of the monthly profit will also be lower than when choosing a place in the city center. In a small village, it is better to choose the first option.

When looking for the most suitable room, you need to pay attention to the following features:

  • the presence of an entrance from the street (it is better to choose the first line of houses, it is not recommended to open a cafe in the back, there the traffic is very low);
  • high traffic (not only pedestrian, but also automobile);
  • being at the intersection of streets (if the cafe is placed on the corner, then the traffic level will increase significantly);
  • proximity to bus stops;
  • exit of windows to the street (the more beautiful the view from the windows, the more time customers will want to spend in a cafe);
  • location on the ground floor.

Choosing a suitable room

The room itself should be spacious, with high ceilings, so as not to cause discomfort for visitors. A cafe is a place for food for citizens. Wishing to ensure the safety of its visitors, the business owner must follow the requirements of the SES and the fire inspection. The legal functioning of the cafe is possible only after obtaining the appropriate permits from these authorities. The complete list of requirements should be clarified with the institutions themselves, the most important working conditions are as follows:

  • the presence of sound insulation when located in a residential building;
  • compulsory processing of utility rooms with special refractory compounds;
  • the presence of a high-quality ventilation system.

Fulfillment of all requirements will avoid the need to pay fines and comply with regulations.

Room size

Since the cafe opens in a small town, a large room is not required. 40-50 seats will be enough. To serve such a number of visitors, there will be enough 100m 2 as a hall. Additionally, you will need about 20m 2 for the bar and 30m 2 for the kitchen and utility rooms. It turns out that the total area will be equal to 150m 2.

It will definitely be necessary to repair the premises in accordance with the requirements of the SES. The appearance should correspond to the concept of the establishment, be comfortable and attractive to potential customers.

Favorable lease terms

In the food service industry today, many landlords provide rental vacations to their customers. This term refers to an agreement concluded for a specified period during which the lessee is released from the need to make rent payments. This is usually associated with repairs.

It is necessary to search for a room precisely on such conditions, since this will significantly reduce the amount of initial costs.

Equipment purchase

Fast food is fast and easy to prepare food. A lot of equipment is not required. The list of required tools includes:

  1. refrigerators compartment;
  2. showcase;
  3. freezer;
  4. baking cabinet;
  5. oven;
  6. microwave;
  7. coffee machine;
  8. mixer.

This is just the basic kitchen equipment. In general, it will take about 500-600 thousand rubles for its purchase, including the necessary inventory. You should not save on equipment, since the quality of the prepared food will largely depend on it. Choosing suitable options, you need to study specialized sites, visit exhibitions.

A businessman, planning to start working in a new direction, must definitely ask how much does it cost to open a cafe? The initial cost includes cosmetic repairs, purchase of equipment, furniture, dishes, window dressing.

One seat is spent from 10 thousand rubles. It turns out that for a cafe with 50 seats, it will take from 500 thousand rubles for a complete arrangement. If you add up these costs with the purchase of equipment (500 - 600 thousand rubles) and the cost of the showcase (about 100 thousand rubles), you get about 1.1 million rubles... To this should be added 25-50 thousand for the purchase of cash register equipment and the necessary software. This is how much it costs to open your own cafe in a small town, excluding current costs.

Number of staff units

An equally important issue is how many employees do you need to work in a cafe? If we are talking about a small institution, then you can get by with 6 people:

  • 2 cooks;
  • 2 waiters;
  • 2 bartenders.

You don't need to hire eminent chefs, because fast food is a simple and fast kitchen. The average salary for a small town is 15-20 thousand rubles per person. It is possible to develop a bonus system that would encourage employees to perform their duties at a high level.

Business registration

When opening a cafe, you can register as an individual entrepreneur or LLC. The first option is more preferable, since paperwork will be easier and faster. As a tax system, you can choose UTII and STS. The safest of them is the STS “income minus expenses”, since a cafe always means a high level of costs.

If an entrepreneur plans to sell cigarettes and alcoholic beverages in a cafe, then he will have to obtain an appropriate license. The only alcohol that can be sold without a license is beer.

Calculation of financial indicators

When drawing up a business plan for a cafe in a small town, you need to focus on the estimated income level. With 50 visitors a day and an average check of 300 rubles per month, you can earn 450 thousand rubles.

The profitability of such a business in a small town is about 30%. The main cost items are:

The net profit for the month will be equal to 135 thousand rubles. The initial cost is 1.15 million rubles. It turns out that the cafe will pay off in 9 months and the business will start to pay off.

An elegant restaurant in the style of a modern loft on the fourth floor of the Oceania shopping center was opened by restaurateur Alexander Zaturinsky (White Rabbit). The feeling that you are in a shopping center disappears from the doorway: everywhere fashionable concrete combined with wood, upholstered furniture and living plants. At the top of the menu are grilled dishes: Chuck roll steak, lamb shoulder and even filling for juicy burgers are fried. Many dishes are prepared in our own smokehouse and wok; the open kitchen allows you to spy on the process.

Average bill: 700-1500 rubles

Kutuzovskiy prospect, 57, SEC "Oceania", 4th floor

Paradise for vegetarians on Kutuzovsky prospect. The interior is made in the eco-eclectic style, and the menu is divided into two sections: dishes made from raw ingredients and cooked dishes. From "raw" try superfood with hemp seeds and mushrooms, coconut okroshka and pea sprouts with mint sauce. When cooked, look at the cute vegetable tart with oyster mushrooms and chia seeds, Chlorella cake made from chickpea flour with coconut and warm beetroot salad. From drinks, of course, kombucha.

Average bill: 700-1500 rubles

Kutuzovsky prospect, 36, building 4

A two-story craft bar with an atypically extensive menu, where there was a place not only for quick snacks, but also for street food hits from around the world. The open kitchen serves impressive burgers, wok noodles, sandwiches and tom yum soup. They make good coffee for 69 rubles and pour it from the taps. To discover the whole variety of drinks, go down to the basement floor. There is more space and a wider choice: from domestic craft to Belgian ales and cider. For non-drinkers, a special cranberry juice was prepared.

Average bill: Up to 700 rubles

Taganskaya, 1, building 1

A two-story pastry bar for adults who are still children in their hearts and still desperately in love with sweets. And sweet cocktails. The atmosphere was created fabulous: the walls are decorated with animated pictures with scenes from the fairy tale "Masha and the Three Bears". The menu includes sets with an original presentation. Order "Chamomile Meadow from Oz" (480 rubles), they will bring a wicker basket with desserts, decorated with live chamomiles. And then there is "Sleeping Beauty", "Secrets of the Pyramids", "Dreamcatcher" and other sets with fabulous names.

Average bill: Up to 700 rubles

B. Dmitrovka, 32, building 1

The name of this place translates as "Soup Street". The menu is small but contains all the hits you need: pho-bo soup, mute, glass noodles and fried rice. Banana cakes pair perfectly with Vietnamese coffee. And if you want something unusual, take Pho Cha - red, black or green iced tea with condensed milk, Vietnamese marmalades and tapioca balls.

Average bill: Up to 700 rubles

st. Usacheva, 26

Golden khachapuri teasing with bright egg yolk, achma with various fillings, penovani (pies with cheese and herbs), crispy pita bread with chicken and vegetables, which is cooked in a tandoor in the middle of the hall - this paradise for those who did not go on vacation is located on Novoslobodskaya. There are two bakeries at once, you just have to cross the Garden Ring. And to finally feel like you are on vacation, take baklava and churchkhela from Georgia.

Average bill: Up to 700 rubles

st. Suschevskaya, 9
Veskovsky lane, 4

American pastry shop on Patriarch's Ponds with a huge amount of sweets and cakes to order. The menu includes solid cupcakes, homemade waffles with colored meringues, pancakes with a mix of berries, sandwiches, toasts and pieces of cake. Everything is decorated in the best traditions of Instagram: sprinkles in the form of stars and hearts, photogenic blueberries and raspberries, as well as creams in pastel shades are used. And even coffee is not simple here, but with marshmallows.

Average bill: Up to 700 rubles

Nikitsky blvd, 14

Craft, wine and burgers - why not a Friday night recipe? The walls of the bar are adorned with hazy drawings of wolves, and a huge chandelier of glasses multiplies under the ceiling. The assortment includes beer, cider and wine on tap, as well as in bottles. The Burger Heroes team is responsible for the food, which means that it will not do without the "Black Mamba" with cherries and cheddar. At the opening, madness reigned here with long-legged beauties and pipers - all that remains is to keep the bar.

Average bill: Up to 700 rubles

Myasnitskaya, 38

At one time, the yellow food truck on tour roamed the parks, and now it has finally found a nest on the Presnenskaya embankment. Sometimes, of course, he runs off to significant events like Afisha's Picnic, but then he steadily returns to the City. Complete meals are prepared: Peking duck, soup, salad and bao. In fashionable restaurants, a duck will be asked for an amount with three zeros, and in Duckit - 390 rubles.

Average bill: Up to 700 rubles

Presnenskaya emb., 10

Wine place in the Blagoveshchensky lane. If you're more in the mood for a bite to eat, take a seat in the first room and grab a British chicken and mushroom pie, arabiata spaghetti or tapas with smoked salmon mousse. If you have a drink, it is better to go straight to the second hall. The wine is sold in bottles and poured by glass, the collection includes more than 150 items. For those who like to combine wine with sweets, a showcase with desserts is open. Sea buckthorn, strawberry, berry, lemon and classic cheesecake, Pavlov's cake - everything is in place.

Average bill: 700-1500 rubles

Blagoveshchensky per., 10, bldg. 2

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How much does it cost to open a cafe: the dynamics of the development of catering establishments + advice on creating a concept for an establishment + a business plan for opening a cafe + calculation of costs and payback.

A cafe is a place that is customary to visit during dates, friendships and family outings.

Many go to a cafe, but only a few think about it, not as a cozy place to spend an evening, but as a job.

In this article, we will analyze in detail, how much money does it take to open a cafe given its features.

First steps to open a cafe

First, think carefully about your idea of ​​opening a cafe. What will be its concept, style, and what will be the main focus.

Visitors come to such establishments not only for food, but also for a special atmosphere.

The share of cafes and bars in the Russian public catering market is about 98 billion rubles and occupies an honorable third place.

In first place in terms of profitability among catering establishments is fast food with a market share of 410 billion rubles.

In second place are food courts and self-service establishments, which make up the category worth 130 billion rubles. Traditional restaurants and canteens are less popular among the population.



Think about what your cafe will be like before you open it. Will it be an Italian pizzeria, a coffee shop or a Japanese cafe serving sushi, daifuku and mochi?

Perhaps the most common cafe option among the listed ones is coffee shops. These are establishments that serve hot and cold soft drinks with all kinds of additives, pastries and chocolates.

The coffee-to-go service is convenient for those who do not have time to sit in a cafe, but want to buy a drink.

Choose a location with a convenient location, taking into account the style and specifics of your establishment.

When choosing a place to, take into account its peculiarities. Is it convenient to get to it, are there local attractions, educational institutions, offices nearby, whose employees will come to you.

If the cafe is located in the courtyard of the house, you need to hang up signs and advertising stands so that visitors can easily find you.

If there is fierce competition in the location where you are going to open a business, make your cafe special, one that will be different from everyone else.

All is fair in this matter. Hang a bright and enticing sign, put on stylish furniture, lower prices a little or enter "happy hours" - this is a certain interval of time every day when a certain discount applies to the assortment.

For example, from 14:00 to 16:00 there is a 25% discount on desserts or when buying one latte, the second as a gift, etc.

A cafe should not only have delicious cuisine and high-quality service, but also a certain charm. Do not forget about such benefits of civilization as the availability of Wi-Fi. Almost 50% of surveyed Russians aged 18 to 54 complain about the lack of free internet in cafes and restaurants.

Since people often come to cafes to work on a laptop, the availability of free wireless Internet will contribute to the influx of visitors.

For clarity, we will give specific numbers. About 70% of cafes and bars in Moscow have free Wi-Fi. In St. Petersburg, this figure is slightly lower and amounts to 64.8%. Further on the rating Lipetsk, Kemerovo, Ufa, Chelyabinsk and Kaliningrad.

Menu planning as the most important step in opening a cafe


When opening any cafe, the main focus is on the menu.

If you are planning to open a cafe, you should pay attention to the following when drawing up a menu:

  • Cafe concept.
  • The cuisine that the people of your region prefer.
  • Optimal value for potential buyers.

According to a social survey, 48% of people in Russia would like to increase the variety of dishes in cafes and restaurants. But a large menu, while it seems tempting for customers, will actually bring a lot of problems.

The main disadvantage of the extensive menus that is, customers will spend significantly more time studying the assortment and prices. If, after opening the menu, visitors find it difficult to choose dishes, they will consult with the waiters, which will negatively affect the speed of table service in the cafe.

The most optimal option- Medium length menu with photos. Of course, additional resources will be required to publish it, but this format will optimize the quality of service. In addition, customers will have an idea of ​​their appearance, composition and serving before ordering dishes.

Let's return to the survey data: 24.5% of respondents would like to choose dishes to order through automated programs on a tablet. Great idea, but unfortunately more suitable for fast food chains or expensive restaurants.

After all, in order to open a cafe with a database of electronic orders, you need to equip each table with a tablet with special software. As practice shows, such a service experience is not beneficial for small cafes and bars.

Among other wishes of visitors: availability of food delivery to home or office, as well as high quality service. Almost 37% of respondents would like to see a cafe, and 32% of visitors would like to receive larger portions.

Consider these features when you are considering opening your own cafe.

As statistics show, most Russians eat outside the home for lunch. It is the lunch break that accounts for 35% of daily visits. In second place is an afternoon snack from 14:00 to 16:00. At this time, the share of visitors per day is 21%.

In third place are evening (18% of visitors) and morning (17% of visitors).

Take into account these data on the development of the menu even at the stage of opening the establishment. Compose your morning breakfast items, business lunches, and hearty yet economical lunch options.

How to write a business plan to open a cafe without headaches?


A well-thought-out business plan will help you set priorities in the development of a cafe, manage your budget correctly, make a list of advantages over competitive establishments, identify the potential audience of your customers and outline an action plan for opening and the amount of money that will go to start.

Perhaps drawing up a correct and competent plan is one of the most important points that must be completed in order to open a cafe.

Do not save time and money, find an experienced and qualified assistant who will help you outline the main points of the cafe's business plan.
At the same time, you will be able to avoid in advance a number of mistakes that beginner entrepreneurs make.

The amount of money to open a cafe depends on your capabilities. If your budget is tight, you need to find an affordable concept and style that matches the size of your wallet.

Everything ingenious is simple. Nowadays, furniture and decorative elements made from improvised means are very popular. For example, using your imagination, several pallets and soft pillows, you can make tables and comfortable sofas that will undoubtedly please your visitors.

1) Choice of premises for opening a cafe + renovation work.


As a rule, entrepreneurs are looking for premises or buildings for rent. More wealthy businessmen can afford to buy it.

The rented premises can be moved to another building over time. An added bonus is that if your café is not popular with residents, you can move to more vibrant areas without significant loss of money.

Rental prices vary greatly depending on the proximity to the center, the condition of the premises, historical value, parking, the flow of people, even from the floor.

In Moscow, you need to pay the amount for renting premises from 1000 rubles per square meter... To rent a modern renovated space near the parking lot will require more money, here prices start from 4 - 5 thousand rubles.

The main criterion for choosing a rental location is the presence of a flow of people. You need to take a few days of free time to spend it where you plan to open a cafe.

Please note that the lease must only be signed after consulting a qualified lawyer. This will protect you from "pitfalls" in the text of the agreement.

2) Legal registration of the cafe.


To open your own cafe, you need to register as an entrepreneur.

You will be able to register as LLC (limited liability company) or SPD (business entity). Registration in the face of SPD will take place faster.

Additionally, you will need a license to trade alcohol or tobacco products in a cafe.

After registering with the tax office, you need to report the opening of your cafe to Rospotrebnadzor and the fire inspection. The first scheduled fire safety check will take place before the opening of the establishment, the second - in 3 years.

3) Development of the menu for the establishment.

To make a lot of money out of running a café, it’s not enough to just print a menu. It needs to be made well-sold so that a person opens it, imbued with the atmosphere of the institution and is ready to spend a lot of money.

Scientists from the University of Michigan outlined the creation of an effective list of dishes back in the 80s of the last century. Donald Smith and Michael Kasanava brought menu engineering ideas to life.

In order to assess which dishes will bring more money, you need to divide them into 2 categories: the most popular among buyers and those that have the highest mark-up.

There will be 4 groups:

  • "Most Popular Dishes"- high mark-up and high level of sales.

    Namely, they bring the most money to your cafe.

  • "Working dishes"- a high level of sales, but a low margin.

    Such dishes should be left on the menu, but you need to raise their cost a little.

  • "Riddles"- high mark-up, but low sales.

    You need to stimulate customer interest in such positions.

  • "Superfluous"- poor markup and low popularity among visitors.

    Such positions should be removed from the list of dishes, since they do not bring money to the cafe.

How much money does it take to create a menu when you open a cafe?

The design will cost at least $ 50. The cost directly depends on the complexity of the task, design style, availability of photographs or graphic illustrations.

The price for printing a ready-made menu depends on its size, number of copies, type of paper and cover. The cover can be made of laminated paper, heavy cardboard, plastic, or leather.

4) Cooperation with food suppliers is an important stage in opening a cafe.


The secret of a profitable catering establishment lies primarily in fresh, high quality food.

Saving money on low-quality orders from uncertified vendors can turn out to be bad luck for you. Cases of poisoning or feeling unwell after your meals will certainly not add to your money and popularity.

And a damaged reputation is difficult to return, especially to such an institution that only recently opened.

Try looking for suppliers from local farmers. They need a little more money to buy products from them, but using the products of their own production will increase your popularity among customers, you just need to mention it on the menu.

Instead of brand-name spirits, look for craft breweries or wineries near the café you are about to open.

Don't stop with one supplier. To do this, indicate in the contract that you do not undertake to order goods from only one seller.

Review a few suggestions before choosing a product supplier. Indeed, in a hurry, you can miss out on more favorable terms of cooperation that will bring more money to your cafe.

5) Recruiting staff when opening a cafe.


Another no less important point in order to open your own cafe or bar.

Decide who you are looking for: high quality middle aged professionals or young student waiters. Submit ads to social media and recruitment sites.

Consider the questions you will ask candidates during the interview beforehand. Calculate how much money you can offer them as wages.

Discuss with candidates knowledge of foreign languages ​​and dishes of famous cuisines, as well as the length of the trial period.

For better working capacity of employees, they need to be encouraged with a convenient work schedule, additional days off and cash bonuses.

Do not forget about the need to install television cameras in the cafe hall and in the kitchen for the safety of visitors and staff.

The “main” employees of the cafe are the kitchen workers and the administrator. How much money do you need to pay their salaries?

Average salary of a chef in a cafe starts at 20,000 rubles.

To hire administrator you need more money - at least 35,000 rubles.

6) Purchase of equipment and furniture required for the opening.


Be guided when choosing the design of your cafe for the kitchen. For example, a coffee shop predisposes to the loft style, a pizzeria to Italian delicacy, a pastry shop to French charm.

Search the internet for ideas for decorating your room and feel free to experiment.

The amount of money required to open a café depends a lot on the style you choose and the size of the diner.

Price level for furniture, dishes and equipment for opening a cafe:

NamePrice range from and to, rub.
Chair930 - 21 500
Bar stool 1280 - 24 000
Armchair3200 - 61 000
Sofa7600 - 540 000
Bar table5200 - 66 500
Wooden table8370 - 44 100
Glass table3700 - 38 000
Set "Table and 4 chairs"9790 - 49 720
Floor hanger2500 - 35 500
Mirror1930 - 48 750
Blender4000 - 33 400
Showcase16 600 - 243 950
Coffee machine42 450 - 184 580
Mixer5200 - 77 700
Juicer5 200 - 88 800
Bar fridge10 640 - 25 000
Refrigerator cabinet66 900 - 143 950
Pizza oven50 000 - 79 000
Plate35 000 - 267 000
Dishwasher87 520 - 144 250
Baking dish760 - 5 300
Cup95 - 250
Cup70 - 100
Salad bowl130 - 3 530
Plate150 - 650
Pan1200 - 7700

7) Website development.

According to research, more than 50% of people, before visiting a cafe or bar, study its assortment and pricing policy via the Internet. Therefore, creating your own website and social media group is an important step in marketing.

Submit on the official website of the cafe a selection of dishes served in your institution, messages about promotional offers, a detailed route to the cafe and opening hours.

The design of the site must be approached no less responsibly than the design of the cafe interior. After all, the first impression of you can both interest customers and scare them away.

8) Advertising options.


Order and hang a bright banner at the entrance to the cafe to attract the attention of passers-by.

Enter a system of club discounts and coupons for your regular visitors.

Do you want to figure out how to open your own cafe?

You will learn important nuances regarding this business from this video:

How much money does it take to open a small cafe with 15 tables without a bar and sofas?


Prices for the minimum set of equipment for a coffee shop will show how much it really costs to open your own establishment:

NameQuantityPrice for 1 piece, rub.Total price, rub.
Total:RUB 621 800
Bar table15 5500 82 500
Chairs60 1200 72 000
Sconce20 1000 20 000
Pendant lights10 2000 20 000
Showcase4 16 600 66 400
Coffee machine2 65 200 130 400
Refrigerator cabinet1 67 000 67 000
Plate1 45 000 45 000
Mixer1 5 200 5200
Dishwasher1 87 550 87 550
Cup75 110 8250
Cup40 100 4000
Plate90 150 13 500

In total, for the purchase of interior furniture, kitchen equipment and dishes, you will need at least 622,000 rubles.

But this cost does not provide for the arrangement of washbasins, toilet rooms, utility costs, interior and exterior interior elements. But you will need all this if you decide to open such an institution. And all this costs money.

But still, these are small things compared to the main categories of costs.

Additionally, you need to take into account the salaries of employees, because it also depends on how much money you need to spend on opening a cafe:

Job TitleNumber of workplacesSalary, rubles / month
Total:RUB 191,700
Cook3 25,000 x 3 = 75,000
Barista1 15 000
Waiter5 14,500 x 3 = 43,500
Administrator1 35 000
Cleaner1 11 200
Dishwasher1 12 000

The budget for purchasing products depends on the menu. Average price for products needed to open a cafe:

Name of productprice, rub.Name of productprice, rub.
Almond flour (1 kg)1416,1 Caramel topping (424 g)211,9
Durum pizza flour (5 kg)805,4 Sliced ​​loaf (300 g)21,8 - 23,5
Wheat flour (1 kg)76,3 - 84,9 Wheat tortilla (750 g)171,5
Granulated sugar (1 kg)55,6 - 73 Cocoa powder (100 g)91
Fine salt (1 kg)22,7 - 61 Grain coffee (1 kg)652 - 1400
Sesame oil (250 ml)317 - 486,8 Tea bags (100 pieces)180,7 - 328
Olive oil (1 l)521 - 564,5 Cheesecake pie (2.55 kg)1823 - 2005
Sunflower oil (0.9 l)86,2 - 93,8 Tartlets (800 g)906,2
Drinking water (5 l)31,8 Strawberry cake (2.9 kg)1447,7
Mineral water (1 l)27,4 Margarine for baking (200 g)16,4
Kvass (2 l)57,2 Cream 33% fat (1 l)175 - 224,5
Juice (1 l)70,6 - 185,9 Confectionery cream 30% (1 l)180,8
Jam (320 g)65,2 - 88,7 Ice cream (2.2 kg)686 - 724,4
Flower honey (1.4 kg)399 Butter (500 g)92,9 - 115,4

Summary table of expenses for opening a small cafe:

Waste category nameCost, rub.
Total:RUB 1,132,800
Business registrationFrom 20 500
Premises for rent (60 sq.m.)From 90,000
Room design, furniture, cutlery621 800
Menu design, compilation and printingFrom 6 400
Kitchen equipmentFrom 160,000
Purchase of goodsFrom 23 000
Staff salaries191 700
Cafe advertisementFrom 4000
Website creation1400-7000
Communal paymentsFrom 14,000

According to our calculations, you need to have a considerable amount of money - about 1,132,800 rubles in order to open your own small coffee shop. At the same time, the average payback period for a cafe is from 7 to 14 months.

The cost of opening a café will vary greatly from city to city. Of course, the cost of renting in Moscow or St. Petersburg will cost much more than in a small town or village. Premises on the central streets of the city will also significantly increase the primary cost of the cafe.

In this article, we examined in detail, how much does it cost to open a cafe and what nuances you should pay attention to.

Remember, there is no clear limit on how much money it takes to open a cafe. It all depends on your wishes, the type of establishment, its location and capacity.

Even with a minimal budget, you can create a stunning and popular café with a signature twist.

A cafe is a place where people come not only for food, but also for vivid impressions, a homely atmosphere and coziness. Keep this in mind when planning to open your own cafe.

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To start a business that is relevant in any locality, some decide to open a cafe. And this is really a fairly versatile option. Where people do not like to have a good time in a company or alone, while tasting their favorite treats and drinks? In not very rich countries and cities, the price also plays a role, and in cafes it is lower than in restaurants.

Definitely, however, you should not expect easy money in this business. This sphere is not easy and requires fundraising to start activities and promotion, documents for various services, and people management skills. In terms of popularity, opening a cafe is comparable to (by the way, it can help here). In terms of complexity, too, although in our case, we still have to think over the features of the menu. Another option for newcomers to the entrepreneurial field - however, this is also a topic for a separate conversation. Let's figure out in what sequence you need to act when opening a cafe.

What does it take to open a cafe?

The first thing you need to decide on is the direction, the concept of the institution. Whether to resort to buying a franchise is a separate question. On the one hand, a lot has already been thought out before you, informational assistance is provided, and on the other, additional costs at the initial stage and a certain framework.

The second point is the collection of money, documents and the choice of a taxation system. It is also extremely important not to miscalculate with the location of your establishment. Let's look at the step-by-step instructions for action in chronological order.

Concept and pricing policy

Do not assume that "creating a cafe" is already a good idea in itself, even if there are few such establishments in your locality. You also need a well-thought-out concept of the institution, which mainly reflects the orientation of the menu and the orientation towards a certain segment of the population.

In short, you need a clear specialization - fast food, pizzeria, ice cream parlor, stylization for the cuisine of a certain country or a certain region. We need a zest, something that will attract visitors. Accordingly, personnel, menus, furniture and equipment should be selected for this focus. Think carefully about the pricing policy of your future cafe based on the expected category of customers and the level of competition.

Choosing a place

To open a successful cafe, you need to calculate a place convenient for visitors. It is very important that it is within walking distance to the place of work or recreation areas of the target category. Buildings that are close to the workplace or recreational areas of the target category are ideal. It is desirable that there is some object with high traffic nearby, such as a shopping center. The building should be located on the first line of houses.

Some important criteria for placement:

  • Size - 70-200 sq. m.
  • Ceiling height - from 3 m.
  • Plumbing, heating and similar amenities are also highly desirable.

Rent or buy? This is another important question, where at the moment there is no definite answer. However, the more fashionable and common option is rent-to-buy.

Advice: do not choose premises where the cafe has already closed before. It's not about karma, but the fact that, most likely, the place was unsuccessful, so listen to someone else's experience.

Note: other important requirements for catering facilities are set out in SanPiN 2.3.6.1079-0.

Taxation: IE or LLC?

Starting a business from scratch inevitably leads to the question of choosing taxation. Regarding the cafe, there is no mistake in creating a business as an individual entrepreneur or under an LLC. Of course, an individual entrepreneur is a more convenient and profitable option, however, if there is alcoholic products in the menu, you cannot do without an LLC - an individual entrepreneur has the right only to cider, beer, mead and similar not too strong alcoholic beverages. Alternatively, to sell alcohol with a higher degree, open an LLC, and conduct the rest of the activity under the IP brand.

The best option for a taxation scheme is UTII. But keep in mind that in this case the area of ​​the hall should not exceed 150 sq. M. Also, the area itself should be clearly demarcated from the rest of the building. Moreover, this design feature should be reflected in the inventory documents. Bookkeeping can either be outsourced, or you can do it yourself using online services.

What documents are needed to open a cafe?

After solving tax issues, you need to start collecting documents, which we will conditionally divide into two groups. For clarity, we will present them in the form of a table:

Of course, when opening a cafe, one cannot do without visits to the city administration, firefighters and architects. Of course, this is not, so there will be a lot of running around. You often have to pay money for pieces of paper, but how much depends on local conditions.