Coffee Shop business?
However, this friend has a bit of a personal hygiene problem, and as he will be working there for the first 6-months or so, I fear that because of this, his business will fail before it has begun, all for the sake of a deodorant stick!
How would you handle this delicate situation? He doesn't always smell bad, but I can't imagine any customers would stick around. Oh, any other tips on new coffee shops would be great.
Answer:
Unless your friend will stay in the kitchen far away from customers, he would be fine. Otherwise, if he is going to serve the customers, I suggest you point out to him (in subtle hints) his underarm odor problem. Nothing is more disgusting than having your coffee and pastry and then whiff a scent of foul odor as the owner walks by.
As for information on starting a coffee shop, here are some articles that can give you more information on the business:
So, You Wanna Open a Coffee Shop http://www.restaurantreport.com/departme.
EspressoBusiness.com (has a nice section on what to avoid in terms of coffee shop business) http://www.espressobusiness.com/.
Links to various resources on starting a coffee business http://www.aboutcoffee.net/linkster/link.
Coffee Shop Sample Business Plan (free) http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/busi.
For in-depth information, you may want to read the following books:
Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting and Running a Coffee Bar (The Complete Idiot's Guide) by Linda Formichelli http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0.
Start and Run a Coffee Bar (Start & Run a)by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0.
How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0.
FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner (FabJob Guides)by Tom Hennessey http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0.
ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan and Julie Sheldon Huffaker http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0.
One important note, though -- this is a business that requires capital and can hardly be started on a $5,000 budget. In fact, according to Bellissimo Coffee Infogroup, http://www.espresso101.com/coffee_faq.ht. you will need the following amounts to start your coffee shop business:
Coffee Cart: Usual start-up cost is $20,000–$25,000 to open and stock.
Kiosk: Depending on the size and what menu items are offered, it will usually cost between $50,000–$60,000.
Coffee Drive-Thru: The cost of opening a drive-thru espresso business operation can vary dramatically, from the the very small units for less than $30,000 to anywhere between $80,000–$180,000 depending on how the shop looks.
Sit Down: The cost of opening a sit-down coffee shop is comparable to the cost of opening an upscale drive-thru. Start-up costs for most 1200 sq. ft. coffee bars average $150,000 to $300,000.
First of all he would need a health and hygene certificate, possibly this might help.
buy hima deo.
elseforegt the customers with such a sharp nose
Employ a nice blonde who will be on the front. He has to stay behind the counter and take payment.
If you are a true friend you'll tell him he stinks.
To open a food retail outlet you need all your food hygiene certificates, if your friend has them he should know about basic personal hygiene. If not being his friend you should tell him straight before he looses his business and money!!He will thank you for it.
I would go it alone if I had the opportunity.
You are definitely right, if he is that bad customers will be put off, first impressions do count.
some good tips would be advertise well before opening, make your customers feel special then they will take over advertising for you - word of mouth is very good and a lot cheaper than other advertising. There are a lot of chain coffee shops around so the personal touch really does work because customers don't tend to get this at a chain.
Decide what market you are aiming for and look into what they want.
Think about whether it is a coffee shop you do want, catering magazines seem to suggest at the moment that Tea Rooms are becoming more popular, these thing usually do go round in a circle and it looks like coffee shops may be going out.
Everybody on here is suggesting that this person who is going to work in his Friends Coffee Shop just needs a Deodorant ?
He probably does, but nobody has suggested that this person must have a change of Clothes every Day.
Perhaps New Shirts with the Shop Logo on them,he will need more than 1.
Obviously he will not be the only Member of Staff working in this Coffee Shop so they could all be wearing either {depending if there is going to mixed Staff M&F} Shirts for Men and Blouses for Women with the Logo on the Pocket.
They must all be told to look Smart at all times,especially if the Shop is Up-Market it's a must. and not a Local Greasy Spoon type Establishment,where they wear a Teacloth around thier Waist as an Apron.
Just make sure that when all the Staff are together they are all told about Personal Hygene too, can I suggest you leave a few Deodorants in both Ladies and Gents Locker Rooms to start off with, or even thier own Toilets with Hand Basins.
Most importantly, make sure they all have an up to date Health and Hygene Certificate otherwise the local Council will come down on your Friend like a Ton of Bricks.
Hope your Friend doe's well in his New Venture.
In a busy coffee shop that's blasting out significantly strong smells of coffee's and toasted ciabbata's I would find it very hard to believe any customer would get close enough to notice his odour problems..
However, as a friend, you could perhaps start the conversation with a spot of "diverse psychology" - ask the following question (after a few pints):
"hey mate, is there anything you would change about me"?
and see how the conversation progresses
Then ask:
"Do you think it's important to look after your appearance"
this of course could lead into a discussion about personal hygiene - how often do you wash etc
you could then follow it up with
"hey. what kind of deodorant do you wear." and make a few suggestions.
leave it two weeks, if nothing changes then make a light hearted comment along the lines of ". jeese mate - did you skip the showers after PE this morning."
oh. and perhaps ask him if he this Ginger people smell of wee.
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