Is there anything quite like a hot cup of Joe first thing in the morning? No matter the time of year, people flock to coffee shops to get their caffeine fix on their way to work or school. During the day, they return to keep their mind alert and escape the daily grind, even if only for a few minutes.
Perhaps this is why coffee franchises have become so popular. Is it the right franchise choice for you? Let’s take a look at 5 reasons why you should consider a coffee franchise.
1. It Attracts a Loyal Crowd
Do you live by a university? Do a lot of people work from home in your area? If so, you have an audience that longs for a change of scenery to sit quietly and unwind. This audience is your potential customers.
When you open your doors, people will be drawn in curious about the ambiance you’ve created. If they like you and your coffee, these same people will start to make your coffee shop a second library or office to sit, sip, and study or work. If there’s demand in your area, you’ll instantly have a loyal core group of customers.
2. It’s Trendy (But Not Too Trendy)
Coffee shops are popular right now. Perhaps that’s because having access to the Internet means having the ability to be productive while having a change of scenery. Perhaps that’s because coffee is considered a staple in social gatherings, making cafes an easy place to gather. No matter the reason, coffee shops are trendy.
But, coffee shops are not overly trendy. The reasons for this type of franchise’s popularity aren’t going away anytime soon. For example, it’ll always be hip to chat over a cup of Joe. The world is moving into more location independent working behaviors, making it easier for professionals to escape the office to come to a coffee shop.
3. It’s Easy to Upsell
Coffee franchises aren’t exclusively about coffee. There are pastries, sandwiches, bistro boxes, merchandise and more to sell. What’s more, people will gladly buy these upsells to satisfy a sweet tooth or sport some swag.
In other words, a coffee shop is a moneymaker for reasons beyond basic cups of coffee.
4. It’s Still Simple
In spite of being easy to upsell to a variety of products, it’s still simple to manage your menu at a coffee shop. Customers tend to make their own concoctions. Yes, you should have a variety of syrups available, but you don’t have to worry about managing varieties of food and beverage inventories. Coffee franchises tend to have simple menus and items, yet still serve complex drink options simply because the customers can make their own beverage.
5. It’s Relaxed
Or, at least it’s becoming more relaxed. More and more franchises have apps that enable customers to pre-order. That means you can save time and manpower to make drinks ahead of time without skimping out on customer service. Today’s coffee franchises make it easier to serve customers in a timely manner, helping you earn more loyal customers and therefore, a higher profit.
Are You Ready to Start a Coffee Franchise?
There’s a lot to consider before starting any franchise. Industry is one important item to mull over. With a coffee franchise, you’ll enter a hot niche that naturally attracts a loyal following. Take a look at your location and the customers surrounding you to decide if this is something that’s needed in your area.
Susan Payton is the President of Egg Marketing & Communications, a marketing firm specializing in content writing and social media management. She’s written three business books, including How to Get More Customers With Press Releases, and frequently blogs about small business and marketing on sites including Forbes, AllBusiness, The Marketing Eggspert Blog, and Tweak Your Biz. Follow her on Twitter @eggmarketing.