Starting A Coffee Shop

To many, coffee is life. The aroma of freshly brewed and percolated coffee is one that no one walking by can simply resist. Coffee shops are not only a quick stop for a good cuppa, but have evolved into breakfast, brunch, lunch and late night stop options for people, both young and old. With the populations growing interest in different types of coffee, it is an opportune time to consider opening up a coffee shop or cafe.

Coffee shops and cafes are a good long-term investment as you can always add to your menu, adapt to latest trends and your customer needs. Many coffee shop owners not only sell coffee, but pastries, muffins, cakes, sandwiches and doughnuts.You will attract a larger customer audience, thus profiting in the process

If you are interested in opening up your own coffee business, here are some tips to get your coffee business brewing:

1.Conduct Research

2.Choose your speciality, menu and business concept

3.Find a suitable location

4.Purchase equipment

5.Hiring and Training of Staff

6.Marketing and Advertising

7.Maintenance and service of Equipment

Once you're ready, Caterquip is here to help you turn your business goals and dreams into a reality. Additionally, some of our equipment allows you to expand on the beverages and food served at your shop. Check out our list of coffee shop equipment essentials:

Beverage Preparation Equipment

Coffee machines

These are basic coffee brewers which use coffee beans/grounds. These machines are used to serve filter black coffee and white coffee They consist of a decanter (or pot/jug) a hot plate and a brew basket (filter pan). These are suitable for immediate service or self service.

Basic coffee machines such as Avenia and Bravilo coffee machines, come with a glass decanter jug or in stainless steel, which is preferred as it keeps your coffee hot during service. They also come in the option of 2 jugs /decanters.

TheBravilo Iso machine boasts a sturdy design which offers many coffee specialities,including a milk cooler and a user-friendly touch screen.

Espresso Machine

An espresso machine is the heart and soul of a coffee shop and it is imperative to choose one of the best quality. Espresso machines use espresso beans to produce espresso, which is the foundation to all your signature gourmet drinks:cappuccinos, lattes, frappes and other specialized drinks. These machines will allow you to broaden your drinks menu from just serving plain black coffee,increasing your revenue.

Caterquip offers you espresso machines of different capacities, in both semi automatic and fully automatic.

Semi Automatic machines require you to grind the coffee, load the filter, tamp the coffee and start the shot with a press of a button or lever. These machines give you more of a sense of control over the size of the espresso shot, the grind size, and how much or little coffee to use as you have to manually start and switch off the machine with every use.It allows for more experimental use and with practice and finesse, can produce unique drinks, but requires skill.If this sense of control and responsibility is a daunting task, a fully automatic machine is a better choice.

Fully Automatic machines require you to grind the coffee , load the filter, tamp the coffee and start the machine with a button or lever, but uses a timer to stop the machine in time so you can step away and tend to something else whilst the espresso shot is made and poured. It makes for a more consistent beverage everytime as even a few second delay in stopping the machine can impact the flavour of your drink. They also boast automatic cleaning.

Both espresso machines are available in single steam jet nozzles or double jet nozzles(which steams and foams your milk) , depending on the volume of your production requirements.

Espresso/coffee Grinder/doser

These are specialized automatic machines that has a strong motor and blades that grind coffee beans into coffee grounds for your espresso or coffee machines.They are available in 1.2kg capacity, with a bean hopper which stores the coffee beans on the top of the machine, before it is ground, and is programmable with auto dose functions.

Coffee percolator/Urns

Coffee percolators are a special pot that brews or 'percolates' coffee. The hot water extracts the flavour from the coffee through slow brewing . Percolators are great for serving large quantities of black and white coffee in a short amount of time. With its heating function, it will keep your coffee hot as well. It is available in a basic 15litre electric model with a stainless steel finish.

Coffee Urns keep your ready percolated or prepared coffee hot during service using gel burners. They have a stainless steel finish with or without a drip tray, andare available in 6litres with a contemporary design. Both percolators and Urns have a tap, which makes it a great self service friendly tool, such as during buffet breakfasts and brunches.

Coffee brewers

Bravilo Airpot brewers brew delicious fresh filter coffee in an airpot. Coffee brewers also keep your coffee hot and fresh for an extended amount of time. They are easy to use, able to produce large quantities of coffee in a short time and are available in single 2.2litre,1.5litre and double 5 litre.

Blenders

For all your cold-based coffee drinks such as frappes and iced coffees, food blenders are your best option to get your signature creamy, cold drink. These blenders have a powerful motor and blade and is available in various capacities(950ml to 4 litres). They are available in glass, plastic or stainless steel jugs Immersion or stick blender is more suitable if you reserving soups at your cafe.

Yourchoice of blender will depend on what you're using it for, the density of your product,your production rate and budget.

Fridges/coolers

Every coffee shop needs a bar cooler/refrigerator to keep milk chilled. For a coffeeshop, bar fridges and underbar fridges (fridges that fit under the counter) are best suitable. These are available in various sizes,based on the volume of your business.You may also require beverage coolers as many people may want to purchase water,juices and cool drinks. You may purchase single or double door coolers,based on your preferences and drinks selection menu.

Spares,accessories and maintenance for the above mentioned equipment is available on request and order

Snack and Confectionery Equipment

One simply cannot have a cup of coffee without a sweet treat. The perfect accompaniments to coffee are muffins,cakes,pastries and doughnuts.

Convection Ovens

Most coffee shops use convection ovens to bake all their cakes, muffins, scones,pastries and other delectables. It is a specialized oven that has fans to circulate even air flow around food. They promote faster baking and even browning of your products. They are available in various sizes to suit the volume output of your business.

Doughnut Fryers

A coffee and a doughnut cannot be separated. A global classic combination. A doughnut fryer fries prepared doughnut dough or batter for a perfect,even browning and cooking. It has a drip tray and tilting tray to make use easy.Doughnut fryers are available for normal sized doughnuts and mini doughnuts.Our mini doughnut fryer automatically molds,dispenses and turns mini doughnuts.You may also purchase a deep fat fryer to fry large amounts of doughnuts in a short amount of time. Our deep fat fryers are available in electric andgas,with single and double models.

Glass Displays

Just from your display, customers are obliged to order a treat to go with their cup of coffee, thus the presentation of your menu items are very important. You can display your muffins, doughnuts, sandwiches and pastries in our display cabinet available with or without a shelf. They're also available in heating function to keep your pies, pastries and other savouries warm and toasty for your customers.A cooling or refrigerated display is best used for keeping foods chilled. Your choice of display stand depends on your choice of menu.

Microwaves

Commercial microwaves are a staple in a coffee shop to heat drinks, light meals, pastries,depending on your menu.

Coffee Shop Set up Accessories

The ambience and set up of your coffee shop is very important. Tasteful decor,correct cutlery and crockery and design will play a role in developing a professional image of your coffee shop or cafe.

Heresome essential items that are needed:

Crockery

Serving coffee based drinks is complex. Each drink requires a specialised cup that enhances and keeps the aroma,taste and texture of the drink. You require plain white coffee cups for black and white coffees,but require cappuccino cups for cappuccinos as they help keep the foam stable when serving. Espresso cups are small cups as plain espresso is normally served as a shot, and to preserve the coffee's intensity, the right crockery is crucial. Saucers,side plates,soup bowls and plates are also needed, depending on the size of your cups and your menu.

Disposable Cups and spoons

Many People stop at a coffee shop on the go. Disposable coffee cups, spoons,sweeteners and packets of sugar are essential to every coffee shop. Sweeteners,sugar and plastic spoons should be set up to be accessible to customers,on counters and tables. One may also require cake boxes,grease proof bags and foam trays to sell baked goods for people who prefer takeaway.

Cutlery

Coffee spoons,teaspoons and tablespoons are required in your coffee shop for all sit-down customers. Remember to match cutlery needed to what you serve at your coffee shop.

Salt And Pepper Mills

These are table essentials. Salt and pepper mills are important especially if you serve savoury meals at your cafe. These allow customers to season their meals by crushing salt and pepper manually. They are available in acrylic,wood,plastic and stainless steel. Your choice is based on your coffee shop decor and personal preference.

To View Our Coffee Shop Equipment Range Click Here