Start a dessert cafe with seating

Couples, friends and families after dinner, groups celebrating birthdays, and locals looking for a sweet treat and a place to sit.

Sales per dish and drink, with extra from takeaway boxes, celebration cakes and group bookings. Drinks usually lift the average spend per table.

• Dessert making and plating
• Menu costing and stock control
• Customer service and managing staff

• Food business registration with your local council and food safety supervisor requirements, check your state rules
• Council approval for change of use, fit-out and signage on the premises
• Liquor licence needed if you plan to serve alcohol, check your state's licensing body
• Public liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire staff
• Lease terms and rent, as premises costs are the biggest risk
• Allergen labelling and handling, such as nuts, dairy and gluten

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment. Lease terms and rent are the biggest risk, so check them carefully before you commit to a shopfront.

Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on location, opening hours and menu. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and rent, stock and wages all come out of that figure.

Check food business registration with your local council, food safety supervisor requirements, and council approval for change of use, fit-out and signage. If you plan to serve alcohol, check your state's licensing body. Also check insurance and allergen handling.