Chocolate cafe with a small storefront

Dessert lovers, couples and friends on evening outings, families, students and shoppers or tourists in busy areas.

Sales of drinks and desserts at the counter, with extras from boxed chocolates, gift items and seasonal specials like Valentine's Day and the winter holidays.

• Making drinks and desserts consistently
• Customer service
• Managing stock, costs and food waste
• Basic bookkeeping

• Health department permit and plan review for the space, check with your county or city early
• Local business license, sales tax registration and any food manager certification your state requires
• Lease terms, build-out costs and zoning for food service
• Thin margins from rent, labor and ingredient costs, plus slower sales in summer
• Allergen handling, especially nuts and dairy, and labeling rules

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on the size of the space, build-out, equipment, lease deposits and opening stock. Your location and how much fit-out the premises need drive most of the range.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, foot traffic, menu and opening hours (from about 40 hours a week). Rent, labor and ingredient costs can make margins thin. These are estimates only.

Check early with your county or city about a health department permit and plan review. Also check your local business license, sales tax registration, any state food manager certification, lease and zoning for food service, and allergen handling and labeling rules.