While the origins of coffee shops go back some five hundred years, there are few periods in history where their popularity has been greater than in the present time. Coffee houses in Mecca were already a concern to the Imams in the early sixteenth century, indicating that they had been established as centers for gathering for some time. You?ll see similar complaints from English monarchs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. By the 1960s, coffee houses were places where gatherings — often music-oriented — would occur, especially in the U.S.

By fitting a little bit of each century into modern coffee shops, they remain a force to be reckoned with. Two friends can find a quiet place there to have a real conversation, away from the din of the pub. Others go to sample the best coffee in the neighborhood and catch up on some reading. Meanwhile, all of the freelancers and telecommuters enjoy the ability to work with an internet connection and have the same type of social element they left when they gave up on the traditional office environment.

Maybe the biggest difference between old fashioned coffee houses and their modern counterparts is the coffee itself. These days, besides the improvements on the part of farmers (in both growing and storage), the global character of the business world has brought the best coffee available to the hands of any company willing to do the homework and pay the import prices. Bringing this coffee into local shops has only increased the popularity of the caf?.

For entrepreneurs looking for a business opportunity, coffee franchises should definitely be on the list of possibilities. The success of many brands in international and domestic markets has been incredible in the last 20 years. Most of them began with the basic coffee, but specialized drinks have grown in popularity over the last few years, making some coffee ?cocktails? rival prices found in pubs and restaurants, only with a much greater profit margin.

There are a number of spots in any community where a recognized brand could park itself and draw an instant clientele. Taking a brief tour through the main districts in your area will yield a number of potential corners.

Anyone looking to open a coffee franchise should have the ability to create a welcoming, interesting atmosphere. Whether it?s putting together a series of events or getting the right staff to work for you, the right feeling in your coffee shop makes all the difference. You might want to consider live music or spoken word performances as ways to attract attention.

Setting the right tone for your caf? is important, as it will become a social center before you know it. Customers of all ages should feel welcome, from teens who aren?t ready for the pubs to anyone looking for a lively, relaxing place.

For franchise owners who can make the coffee shop concept work, the opportunity for other businesses is right behind. The community will see you as a name and brand to trust and the clientele will follow.

Damian Papworth uses a 5 cup coffee maker for dinner get togethers. But he knows one cup coffee makers are more suitable for making his morning coffee.

Tagged with: • • • • • • •

Filed under: Nutrition

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!