Espresso bar in a small shopfront

Commuters, office workers, tradies, shoppers and local residents wanting a regular daily coffee.

Sales of coffee and snacks at a few dollars each, with profit built on steady daily volume, regular customers and careful control of milk, beans and wages.

• Making consistently good espresso coffee
• Customer service and remembering regulars
• Managing stock, costs and staff rosters

• Food business registration with your local council and food safety supervisor requirements, check your state's rules
• Council or landlord approval for fit-out, signage and any footpath seating
• Public liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire staff
• Lease terms, rent and fit-out costs can make or break the numbers, get advice before signing
• Long early hours and thin margins, so plan your cash reserves

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment. Lease terms, rent and fit-out costs can make or break the numbers, so get advice before signing anything.

Monthly revenue is typically around $20,000 to $70,000, depending on location, opening hours and how many regular customers you build. Margins can be thin, so plan your cash reserves. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check food business registration with your local council and your state's food safety supervisor requirements. Also check council or landlord approval for fit-out, signage and footpath seating, plus public liability insurance and workers compensation once you hire staff.