Startup costs for a coffee cart business range from $9,000 to $18,000. Costs include the cart itself and the coffee equipment. There are a variety of types of coffee carts that you can get, most of which are trailers you hitch to your vehicle. If you get one that is not a trailer, you’ll need a trailer to transport it.
With the right blend of enthusiasm, creativity, and determination, you can make your coffee cart business profitable and successful. This comprehensive guide outlines 11 steps for starting a successful and profitable coffee cart business. So if you have a passion for coffee and the determination to bring creativity and unique ideas to the table, let’s get started on your journey to becoming a successful coffee entrepreneur!
Important Steps to Get Started
While a coffee cart business is a simpler coffee business concept when compared to a coffee shop, you’ll still need to take some essential steps such as setting up your business structure, writing a business plan, and selecting your menu.
Earning Potential and Costs
If you can get situated in a high foot traffic location, you can expect upwards to 300-400 customers per day bringing in anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 daily. Commercial Coffee Cart / Espresso Cart – The average cost of starting a coffee cart is roughly $30,000.
How Coffee Carts Make Money
Mobile coffee cart owners can operate their business in several ways: by selling cups of coffee, by renting their cart to clients with an open bar business model, or by offering a combination of both. The first option works well if you plan to operate at a farmers market or other event for which you personally rent a space and then sell coffee to attendees. The second option involves a client hiring your cart at a flat rate to provide an open bar service. The third option involves renting your coffee cart to local companies and selling cups of coffee at events.
If you plan to have a brick & mortar location for your coffee cart, you must consider the costs of rent, which can vary greatly by region and specific areas of town.
Advantages of a Coffee Cart Business
- Low start-up costs: A simple coffee cart can be bought for as little as EUR 4000.
- Coffee is a growing trend: There is a demand for high quality coffee.
- Great Profit Margins: Coffee offers incredible gross profit margins of up to 90%.
Having your very own coffee cart business can provide you with flexibility and the opportunity to cater to a wide range of customers. Not only that, but starting a coffee cart business requires significantly less upfront investment compared to opening a traditional coffee shop.