Family cafe with a safe play area

Parents, grandparents and caregivers, plus playgroups and families booking small birthday parties.

Food and drink sales, optional play entry fees or memberships, and party or private event bookings during quiet hours.

• Running a food and drink service
• Child-friendly customer service
• Cleaning and safety routines
• Basic budgeting and staff scheduling

• Health department food permit and food handler or manager certification, check your county rules
• Zoning, occupancy, fire code and ADA accessibility requirements for your space
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire staff
• Play equipment safety and cleaning standards, and whether your state treats the play area as child care if kids are ever left unsupervised
• Food allergies and clear allergen labeling
• High fixed costs such as rent and payroll, test demand before signing a long lease

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on your premises, kitchen equipment, play area fit-out, insurance and staffing. Treat this as an estimate, and test demand before signing a long lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your location, menu prices, opening hours and how many families visit or book parties. The estimate assumes roughly 40 or more hours a week.

Check health department food permits and food handler or manager certification with your county. Check zoning, occupancy, fire code and ADA rules for your space. Ask about insurance, play equipment safety, whether the play area counts as child care, and allergen labeling.