Neighbourhood chocolate cafe

Families, students, couples on dates, friends meeting up, and people nearby looking for a treat after dinner or on weekends.

Sales of drinks and desserts, with extra from add-ons like toppings and gift boxes. Drinks bring good margins, while desserts raise the average spend per visit.

• Making drinks and desserts to a steady standard
• Customer service
• Managing stock and costs
• Basic marketing and social media

• Food premises permit and inspections from your local public health unit, plus a food handler certificate where required
• Zoning, signage and building rules for your chosen unit, check with your municipality before signing a lease
• Lease terms, fit-out costs and rent are the biggest risks, so negotiate carefully and get advice
• Allergen handling for nuts, dairy and gluten, and clear labelling
• Slower winter or summer periods depending on location, and cash flow to cover them
• Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $180,000, depending on the unit, fit-out, equipment and lease terms. Lease terms, fit-out costs and rent are the biggest risks, so negotiate carefully and get advice.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on your location, menu, opening hours and seasonal slowdowns. This is revenue before rent, stock and wages, so it is not the same as profit.

Check food premises permits and inspections with your local public health unit, plus food handler certificates where required. Also check zoning, signage and building rules with your municipality before signing a lease, allergen handling and labelling, and insurance.