Small cosplay café with a regular space

Anime, gaming and comic fans, students, groups of friends, and people celebrating birthdays or meet-ups.

Drinks and snacks sold at the counter, plus extras like event nights, ticketed meet-ups, themed merchandise and private bookings.

• Customer service
• Running a food and drink counter
• Staff scheduling and cost control
• Creative theming and social media

• Food premises permit and inspection from your local public health unit; check requirements before signing a lease
• Zoning, signage and building rules from your municipality
• Using trademarked characters in your name, menu or décor can cause copyright or trademark problems; check before you do, or use original themes
• Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• High fixed costs such as rent and wages; plan for slow months and winter weeks
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signs and menus
• Staff costumes should be safe and comfortable, so check for safety issues in the kitchen

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $50,000 to $200,000, depending on premises, fit-out and equipment. Rent and wages are high fixed costs, so plan for slow months and winter weeks.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $15,000 to $50,000, depending on location, menu and events. With high fixed costs such as rent and wages, plan for slow months and winter weeks.

Check food premises permit and inspection requirements with your local public health unit before signing a lease, plus zoning, signage and building rules. Using trademarked characters in your name, menu or décor can cause problems, so check first or use original themes.