So, you’ve found the perfect location for you dream coffee shop. You’ve researched all your décor and made the place look as warm and welcoming as you possibly can. But beyond your cosy trinkets and the major things like cookers, coffee makers and cups, what exactly will you need to make your café a success?

We’ve put together this handy list to make sure you don’t forget the important details, allowing you to get up and running smoothly and efficiently as soon as your first customer walks through the door.

Finishing touches

1. Cardboard cup sleeves

Customers ordering hot drinks to take away will appreciate you offering cardboard cup sleeves to prevent your paper cups from burning their hands. If you opt for branded cup holders, they also double up as an excellent marketing opportunity, as passers-by are likely to notice people walking around with your coffees and will want to learn more.

2. Paper straws

Of course, customers ordering juices and soft drinks may also need a straw. Whilst plastic straws are obviously bad for the environment, paper straws make a great, eco-friendly alternative. Make sure you present them in a clean container in areas that can be easily accessed by your customers, such as your bar or countertops.

3. Drinks prep area

Whether you’re only serving in house or also plan on offering drinks to go, you will need to give your customers an easy-to-access drinks prep area, where they will find all the napkins, sugar and drinks stirrers they need, in addition to any syrups or toppings you may wish to offer. Placing everything in one convenient station helps to keep things organised and makes for a more pleasant café experience overall.

Things for your table

1. Tablecloths, coasters and placemats

Not all establishments will want to use tablecloths – it all depends on the aesthetic you’re going for and the atmosphere you’re trying to create. Nevertheless, placemats and coasters always go a long way when it comes to keeping your café clean and presentable.

2. Cute cutlery

Mismatched cutlery of differing sizes simply won’t cut it – unless, of course, that’s the aesthetic you’re going for! Investing in nice cutlery is just as important as choosing the right earthenware, ceramics or china. It’s also a good idea to invest in some nice cutlery holders if you plan on keeping cutlery and napkins on the table, rather than placing a new set on the table for each individual customer that walks in.

3. Napkin holders

Napkins never go amiss in catering settings. Make sure your customers have access to an unlimited supply by placing a neat napkin holder on the side of each table. It will keep slips from drips and spills to a minimum and will also prevent customers from having to ask for a tissue whenever they need one.

4. Candles, flowers and other trinkets

Placing a candle or small arrangement of flowers can add an extra touch to your café tables. Not quite right for you? Pick anything that reflects your brand and vibe – but steer clear of anything too big, as you don’t want to clutter your tables.

5. Menus

Menus are absolutely essential in any café. Customers might even want to see them before they decide to come in, which is why pavement signs are such a good idea (more on that below). Make sure your menus are easily accessible by placing them neatly on each table. You may wish to laminate them to keep them clean, or alternatively, might like to place them in a handy menu folder. However, we find that menu folders tend to work best for larger, more elaborate restaurant menus and feel that menu holders tend to work best in café establishments. Choose from a simple clip variety that you can slot your menus into, or go for more elaborate menu holders that will also house condiments and cutlery.

6. QR codes

Nowadays, many cafés, bars and restaurants are choosing to take orders from in-house customers online. Use a small menu holder to hold a QR code on each table. Customers can then click on the link directly and order via their mobile phones. You might even decide to make your menus fully digital. We highly recommend considering your target customers before you do this and always keep a few spare printed menus on hand, just in case.

Additional essentials

1. Pavement signs

As mentioned earlier, people might want to see your menu before they walk in. Pavement signs are a great way to share your menu with passers-by and can also be used to encourage more customers to come in.

2. A good website

Think about your digital presence as well as your online one. Make sure you appear on Google maps and make sure online customers can find you when they search for your type of café in their area.

3. Customer Wi-Fi

If customers can access your Wi-Fi for free as they eat, they’re much more likely to return and spend longer at your café. Workers might even come to do their daily business, ordering drinks, sandwiches and sweet treats as they go. Don’t want to enable universal access? Menu holders can also be used to hold small cards with your Wi-Fi password, thus limiting access to paying customers already sat at a table.

4. A good security system

Last but by no means least, you will need to invest in a good security system for your café to protect your property and give you full peace of mind. This should help massively with insurance, too.

We hope this checklist has helped and you now feel ready to start opening your doors to the public. Best of luck with your new café – here’s hoping it’s a roaring success!