Hong kong-style cafe (cha chaan teng)

Local diners, students, the Hong Kong and wider East Asian community, and office workers looking for a good-value lunch or afternoon tea.

Sales of set meals, drinks and snacks. Lunch and afternoon-tea sets with a drink included help raise the average spend per table.

• Cooking quick wok and oven dishes
• Making consistent milk tea and coffee
• Running a busy kitchen and front of house
• Food hygiene and cost control

• Food business registration with your local council, and a food hygiene inspection rating
• Allergen rules: you must be able to tell customers about the 14 major allergens in every dish
• Planning permission for change of use, extraction and ventilation for a hot kitchen (check with your council)
• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance once you hire staff
• Rent, lease terms and staffing costs can be heavy for a small cafe, so test your numbers first

Startup costs are typically around £25,000 to £100,000, depending on the premises, kitchen equipment and fit-out. These are estimates, so test your numbers, including rent, lease terms and staffing, before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £10,000 to £30,000, depending on location, opening hours, menu pricing and how busy you are. These are estimates of takings, and rent and staffing costs can be heavy.

Check food business registration with your local council and the food hygiene inspection rating. Also check allergen rules, including the 14 major allergens, and planning, extraction and ventilation for a hot kitchen with your council.