As a general guideline, you are likely to need 8-, 12- and 16-ounce sizes of coffee
mugs; 8-ounce cappuccino cups with saucers; espresso cups and saucers; double espresso cups with plates; demitasse cups and saucers; other specialty coffee
cups; bone china tea cups and saucers for serving tea; plus a range of different sized glasses for cold drinks and juices.
If you also sell alcoholic beverages, you will
need to serve them using the appropriate glassware, such as brandy and liqueur
glasses and 0.5-, 1- and 1.5-ounce shot glasses.
Additionally, you will need to purchase a range of matching china plates and
bowls and silverware, in line with your side-snacks and dessert menus.
Pay
particular attention when choosing the design of the dessert plates, dishes, and
parfait glasses. Remember, presentation often will result in impulse orders for an
extra portion of dessert, so it pays not to scrimp on the purchase of eye-catching
dessert-ware.
Bear in mind that breakages will be highest for key items of chinaware, such as
espresso cups and dessert plates; order extra stock accordingly.
Also, keep in
mind that dishwashers and other machines all work at different speeds and that
not maintaining enough stock will slow down service. Too much stock, however,
will cause you to store items in the shop, tying up cash.
Figures will need to be
adjusted depending on the menu and how many uses you can have for the same
piece of China or flatware. Apart from standard flatware for serving snacks and desserts, you also will need
to stock up on specialty flatware such as small espresso spoons, long latté spoons
and large spoons for scooping foam.
Do not overlook the importance of attractive containers for your countertop or
refrigerated food displays. For example, if you are trying to promote your
signature “hand-baked” pastries and muffins, you will need to invest in attractive
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display chinaware, cake plates, or baskets.
Other miscellaneous items and utensils you may need to purchase before opening
your coffee, espresso, and tea shop include:
• Knockbox for used coffee grounds
• Multi-level rack for syrups
• Cinnamon and nutmeg shakers
• Honey dispensers
• Baskets for individual creams and sugars
• Steam milk thermometers
• Espresso pourers
• Steaming pitchers (32- to 48-oz.)
• Cream thermos
• Muffin tongs
• Dessert or cake servers
• Cutting boards
• Dry and wet measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Prep knives
• Cookie flippers
• Ice cream scoops
• Chocolate graters
• Plastic sealable containers
• Bean blending containers
• Steel scoops for green coffee
• Individual teapots and tea cozies
• Whipped cream dispenser (with extra chargers)
Worksheets
The following worksheets, provided courtesy of the Small Business
Administration, will aid the coffee and tea shop manager greatly in estimating
start-up costs and expenses.
How Much Money Do You Need?
To help you estimate the amount of financing you will need to get your venture
off the ground, use the following checklist. Keep in mind, however, that not every
category applies to your specific business. Estimate monthly amount.
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