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coffee guides, city spotlights, and stories from the indie coffee world.
what licenses and permits you need to open a cafe
opening a cafe requires food service permits, health department approval, business licenses, and food safety certification in both the UK and US.
how to start a mobile coffee cart business
starting a mobile coffee cart costs $24,000–$100,000 for equipment, permits, and inventory. here's how to launch your specialty coffee cart.
how to find a wholesale coffee supplier for your cafe
finding a wholesale coffee roaster starts with minimum order quantities, lead times, consistency, and support. here's how to vet suppliers in 2026.
the best pos systems for coffee shops in 2026
Square offers the best value with a feature-rich free plan, Toast excels with advanced hardware for cafes, and Lightspeed handles multi-location inventory.
how to price coffee drinks on a cafe menu
calculate cost of goods sold, add overhead, then apply markup. most cafes use 60-75% gross margin on espresso drinks to cover rising labor and coffee costs.
coffee shop profit margins, explained
most cafés operate on 5-15% net margins in 2026. labour takes 25-40%, rent 10-15%, and COGS 25-35%. honest numbers on what stays in your pocket.
how to choose a commercial coffee roaster machine
match batch size to two years of projected weekly output, choose drum for control or fluid-bed for speed, and budget $3,000–$30,000 based on tier.
the best espresso machines for a new cafe
choosing the right commercial espresso machine means matching budget to volume. here's what works for new cafes in 2026, from $5,000 to $23,000.
how to start a coffee roastery business
starting a coffee roastery in 2026 requires a commercial roaster ($10,000–$80,000), green bean sourcing strategy, and monthly operating costs near $21,600.
the cafe equipment checklist for a new coffee shop
a complete equipment list for opening a new coffee shop in 2026, organized station by station with named brands, honest costs, and barista tools.
how much does it cost to open a coffee shop in the usa
opening a coffee shop in 2026 costs $80,000 to $300,000 depending on format, with equipment at $20,000 to $100,000 and buildout at $75 to $150 per square foot.
how much does it cost to open a cafe in the uk
opening a uk cafe in 2026 costs £50,000 to £150,000 for most sit-down shops. here's the full line-item breakdown by fit-out, kit, and rent.
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