Internet and gaming cafe with print services
Rent out computer stations by the hour, with drinks, printing and gaming nights, in a small shopfront near students or newcomers.
- C$20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small shopfront with a handful of computers customers rent by the hour. Many Canadians have internet at home, so the shop needs a clear reason to visit: high-spec gaming PCs, printing, scanning and photocopying, form help, and a cozy place with drinks and snacks. A small team usually runs it with evening and weekend opening hours.
Your first three steps
- Check the area: look at who lives or studies nearby, which gaming or print shops already exist, and typical commercial rents
- Price out a small setup of 6 to 10 computers, a fast business internet plan, a printer and a booking or timer system
- Talk to local schools, colleges, newcomer centres and gaming groups to see what they would use, and get a quote for the lease
Who pays
Students, gamers, newcomers to Canada who need printing and document help, travellers, and people without a home computer or printer.
How it makes money
Hourly or prepaid-block computer rental, per-page printing and scanning fees, and drink and snack sales. Tournaments, birthday bookings and group sessions add extra income.
Skills that help
- Customer service
- Basic computer and network setup
- Cash handling and bookkeeping
- Building a friendly local community
Watch out for
- Check zoning and the business licence rules with your municipality before signing a commercial lease
- Check the food and drink permit rules with your local public health unit, as selling only packaged drinks may be treated differently from preparing food
- Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and cover for theft of equipment
- Software and game licences for public or commercial use; check publisher terms, since home licences often do not cover a cafe
- Playing music may need licensing, check SOCAN and Re:Sound requirements
- Customer privacy and security: wipe sessions between users and decide what you log; check privacy rules in your province
- Rules for minors and late opening hours may differ by municipality
- Revenue may be slow in the early months while you build a regular crowd; plan for rent and utilities with a cash buffer
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: internet and gaming cafe with print services
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an internet and gaming cafe in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on how many computer stations you set up, the shopfront you rent and your fit-out. Plan a cash buffer too, as revenue may be slow in the early months.
How much can an internet and gaming cafe earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $22,000, depending on location, opening hours, number of stations and how much comes from printing, drinks and gaming nights. It may take time to build a regular crowd.
What licences and rules should I check before opening a gaming cafe?
Check zoning and business licence rules with your municipality before signing a lease, and food and drink permit rules with your local public health unit. Also check software and game licences, music licensing (SOCAN and Re:Sound), insurance and privacy rules.
Similar hospitality ideas
Small rooming house or guest house
Lease a house with several furnished rooms and let them weekly or monthly to lodgers and longer-stay guests.
- C$20k-90k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small serviced apartment operator
Lease several apartments from landlords, furnish them and run them with housekeeping for corporate and relocation guests.
- C$30k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bartending school with a training bar
Rent a small unit, fit out a practice bar and run regular bartending courses for people starting out in hospitality.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small guesthouse or cabin business
Run a small inn, guesthouse or a few cabins as a full-time lodging business.
- C$20k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Lease and operate an existing motel
Run a motel you do not own, by leasing it or taking it on from an owner, with far less money up front.
- C$20k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small residential retreat house
Run a small countryside house where guests stay for weekend and week-long programmes you host.
- C$15k-75k
- Part-time
- Own premises