Neighbourhood chocolate cafe

Locals, families, couples on dates, friend groups, shoppers and tourists in busy streets or shopping strips.

Sales of drinks and desserts eaten on site, plus add-ons like extra toppings and gift boxes. Drinks have good margins; a strong location and steady foot traffic matter most.

• Making drinks and desserts consistently
• Customer service
• Managing stock, costs and rosters
• Basic food safety knowledge

• Food business registration with your local council and food safety requirements, such as a food safety supervisor, which differ by state
• Council or landlord approval for fit-out, plus the lease terms and rent, which can make or break a cafe
• Public liability insurance, and workers compensation insurance once you hire staff
• Allergen handling (nuts, dairy, gluten) and accurate menu labelling
• Check award wages and weekend or public holiday penalty rates before you set prices
• Long hours on your feet, especially in the first year
• A liquor licence is needed if you serve alcoholic drinks, so check your state's rules

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on your premises, fit-out, equipment and lease terms. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes for your own site before you commit to a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically around $20,000 to $70,000, depending on location, menu, opening hours and foot traffic. Rent and wages come out of that, so check award rates and penalty rates before you set prices.

Check food business registration with your local council and food safety requirements, such as a food safety supervisor, which differ by state. Also check fit-out approval, allergen labelling, and whether you need a liquor licence if you serve alcohol.