Sales Outside the Coffee Shop Can Boost Revenues

In my coffee shop business plan package, I have a chapter on outside revenue sources that can significantly increase your sales revenue if implemented and operated properly.  I go into a lot more detail in the Ebook however this is such good stuff I wanted to share it.  It was hard to cut out a lot of detail but I think you can get the idea of what I am relating here.

Selling coffee beans, coffee drinks and various food items within the four walls of your coffee shop is an obvious means of revenue that all owners should know about. After all, those are pretty much the reasons we are open and customers patronize us.  However, there are other sources of revenue that can come in handy to help boost your bottom line that some shop owners say cannot be overlooked.

Deli catering is one avenue to make available any time for local business meeting lunches, business' grand openings near you, luncheons, holiday parties, networking events, the list goes on.  This would be simple single sandwiches with chips to large sandwich loaves made on huge loaves of French bread and cut in small hunks.

Bakery catering is another way to increase revenues.  This can be to the scale of a full service bakery if you are at that level or just supplying pastries for morning business meetings and the like.  Of course, where would we be without coffee itself so you know what is coming next!

Coffee service is great for corporate and other events in your area.  You can get the ‘beverage on the move' containers that are about 96 oz – 120 oz, supply the cups, condiments including cream, stir sticks, etc. Along with the coffee service goes a great add-on of bakery, even if you do not bake it in-store, you sure can sell it!  You can also add on tea, milk, OJ and other beverages.  And these guests will be asking if there are any bags of coffee beans to take home, or at least where they can get your roasted coffee.

Another avenue is to cater for weddings, parties and other events.  Espresso catering is catching on in some areas as a great way for newlywed couples to impress and service guests for brunch receptions or breakfast gatherings after the ceremony and at evening receptions.  Gourmet coffee is a great addition for guests that do not drink alcohol.

Let me say that there can be a lot of work involved in this but it is a niche area and in my opinion very underserved in most cities. I used to do it with my old shop and it can be very lucrative.  It's basically a small espresso bar set up at someone's event.  Kind of simple!  Most one group and some two group espresso machines will work and handle the volume.  You can include a select few coffee beverages, flavors and even bags of whole bean coffee to limit what you need to bring and set up.

For those warm weather events, I have seen quite a few shop owners set up an espresso bar outside under a canopy and sell coffee like a cash bar.  I used to do it when I lived in TX and had a shop there.  I call these events ‘warm weather' because they are outdoors and run usually from May-Oct, depending on your location.  One event I have done for several years are farmers markets.  As a roaster now, I sell more coffee beans than anything else but I do sell coffee by the cup and biscotti as well.  So sure, sell your bakery as well!  Be sure to check with the health department as they may require a special permit for selling food items and, coffee as well outdoors.

If you are considering festivals, see if you could start off at smaller events and work up to larger ones because they can be a big undertaking.  I would suggest festivals with smaller crowds of people, like 5000-10,000 per day.  Also, pick events that are culturally predisposed to espresso and gourmet coffee beans, like a folk festival or an urban festival with crafts and music.  If you do craft shows look for the ones that blur the fine art line with likes such as high end glass work for sale at $500 - $1000 each.  That is a pretty good indicator that disposable income is all over the place.  You have to think about your target market.

Once again I go into more detail in the Ebook.  However if you ponder to have other revenue streams other than what the shop norm is, utilizing your coffee shop menu and business savvy outside of your brick and mortar is a great way to get it.  After all, it IS your line of business, isn't it?