What is needed to open a cafe in Russia: choosing a cafe format + advice on selecting premises + equipment costs + staff in the cafe + monthly costs + approximate calculation of payback.

Where in the summer can you quickly take a break from the heat and the smell of hot asphalt? Where can you warm up in winter and hide from the rain in spring and autumn?

Of course, in a cozy cafe, where you can not only warm/cool your body, but also eat and drink while talking with friends. You can also celebrate the end of the work week or a child’s birthday there.

It turns out that a cafe is a universal thing that is in demand at any time of the year. Therefore, if there is demand, then there will be a business that can make good money in this niche.

What do you need to open a cafe or small restaurant?– in our article.

Where to start launching your cafe or mini-restaurant?

To open a cafe you need to remember a simple step-by-step plan:

1. Analysis of the location (the area where the cafe will be located).
2. Analysis of the target audience (who will be your main client).
3. Selection of a cafe format (to suit the needs of this very audience).
4. Registration.
5. Personnel selection.
6. Purchase of equipment.
7. Advertising campaign.

1) The place you need to open a cafe.

The first three points of our plan can be briefly called “market analysis”. The first thing you need to open a cafe or restaurant is demand analysis.

Since this business is stationary, you need to pay special attention to choosing a place for your establishment. Just like the room.

The first and most important indicator for traditional cafes is organic traffic: how many people will pass by the establishment.

Depending on the average level of income in your region, there may be from 5,000 to 20,000 people per establishment.

For this reason, where traffic is high, cafes and restaurants literally stand on top of each other and do not go under, generating a good income.

If this is the city center, around which there are metro stations, business centers, various shopping centers, etc., then this is an extremely advantageous location. But the competition there is extremely high - most likely, the best places have already been rented by someone.

In a residential area of ​​Moscow, 5-6 thousand residents may be enough to pay for one cafe, but outside the European part of Russia, even 20,000 people may not justify the investment.

But here a lot still depends on the format of the cafe/mini-restaurant and on what audience you are counting on.

2) The format of the establishment.

Here are 3 examples of a variety of cafe formats, designed for different audiences:

1. Summer cafe.
2. Youth cafe.
3. The cafe is a full-fledged restaurant.

Summer micro cafe for a couple of tables near a small retail outlet it can pay for itself in a week - expenses there are minimal, no special permits are needed (you won’t cook there), staff is also not particularly needed (only a salesperson).

They don't cook anything there, they only serve bottled soft drinks and cold snacks like chips or dried fish. Well, maybe some simple sandwiches. This is the simplest and cheapest option for your business.

However, the summer cafe also has its serious disadvantages.

Firstly, at its core, this is temporary income. If you have a stall with chips, ice cream and beer, then setting up tables with tents will not be difficult. But it’s not worth starting it as an independent business.

Yes, in warm countries this is one of the most popular options for simple income, but our winters are not conducive to comfortable outdoor recreation.

A summer cafe can cost 20,000 - 40,000 rubles. per month, and its profitability will be very different. For example, in crowded places (on the highway or in the same market) - the same amount, but per week. However, on the periphery, where there is no human traffic, it is unlikely to be extremely profitable.

In addition, you need to get approval from local residents, because cheap alcohol attracts not the most presentable crowd.

Youth cafe with self-service or “anti-cafe” is often an order of magnitude cheaper than a classic one with waiters, a bartender, etc.

Since this option is very flexible, it is impossible to indicate the exact amount of expenses.

Classic cafe/mini restaurant To open, it will require three to four tables, a couple of waiters, an average menu and no additional entertainment: only food and nothing more. This can be quite beneficial if there are other places nearby where people work or play.

However, with a favorable location, a youth cafe-restaurant can be a very profitable business. However, not only the place determines his success, but also something else.

What is needed to open a cafe - a standard one, without any special innovations? That's right - delicious food at reasonable prices.

3) Average check: the way to the client’s heart is through the stomach.

For example, there are two cafes/restaurants, in one the average bill is 200 rubles, and in the other - 900: where is the service better? Obviously more expensive.

Here is an example of an average check for middle Russia:

But you need to understand that the “average bill” is like the “average temperature in the room.”

At a traditional cafe/restaurant, the day is divided into peculiar periods of activity and downtime. So, if in the morning, immediately after opening, the average check can be around 200 rubles. (coffee, a bun and a salad, for example), then by lunch the amount can run up to 300 - 350 rubles. per person.

You need to prepare more thoroughly for the night, since then the average check reaches 1000 or more. Especially if it's Friday night.

If you cannot decide which cafe/restaurant to open and what prices to set, then hire an agent for economic intelligence. This is not a permanent job and is paid accordingly - approximately 10,000 rubles.

The scout’s task is to go through all the establishments in your chosen area, look at their arrangement, read the menu, try the “signature” dishes and tell you how to make it better, cheaper, etc.

Registration and preparation of premises

If you know where and for whom you will open a cafe/restaurant, then it’s time to officially register.

To simplify the calculations, let’s take the most popular cafe/restaurant format in Russia:

1. The average bill is 400 rubles.
2. Seats – 50.
3. Location - near the business center, the area is central, but not historical (no tourist traffic).
4. Target audience: office workers.

This establishment belongs to the middle category, therefore its registration will require status.

The fact is that an individual entrepreneur simply cannot obtain some licenses; there will be particular difficulties when registering the sale of alcohol.

However, there is nothing overwhelming here. Here's what you need to open a cafe/restaurant as an LLC:

In parallel with registration, you need to deal with the design of the premises. The fact is that some permits must be obtained before you rent premises to open a cafe/restaurant, while others must be obtained after, when the premises are ready to receive visitors.

So, when everything is ready, inspections from the Sanitation Station or the fire inspectorate may come to you, but the Federal Tax Service checks your documents at the stage of business registration.

1. Premises for opening a cafe.

So, the premises for our classic cafe/mini-restaurant format with 50 seats need to be rented with an area of ​​150 -160 sq.m.

If we assume that the cost per square meter will be 500 rubles, then in total you will need to pay about 80,000 rubles. per month .

As you understand, rent in the very center of the city will cost an order of magnitude higher, especially in Moscow, but you can find it cheaper in a residential area.

Finding a premise that has already been prepared for a cafe/restaurant is a great success, so you need to be prepared for large-scale renovations. Don’t forget about the prices for building materials, the cost of finishing the premises, paying workers, etc.

It is believed that a fairly high-quality finish will cost about 300 rubles/sq.m, and the same amount for the services of craftsmen.

That is, 160 sq.m. meters * for 600 rubles. = 96,000 rub.

However, not everything is so simple... 160 sq.m. is the basic area, but it is not the floor (or rather, not only the floor) that needs to be finished, but also the ceiling and walls. It turns out 96,000 rubles. you need to multiply by three to get 288,000.

Taking into account inflation, you can safely round up to 300,000 rubles. initial investment in refurbishing the premises.

Of course, you can get by with cosmetic repairs, then it will be much cheaper, but you don’t need this for a closed workshop that no one outside will see, you need it to open a cafe, which means the interior should be cozy and attractive to customers.

2. Preparing the hall and kitchen for opening a cafe.

But renovation is not all the work that needs to be done to open a cafe. You need to connect all communications, exhaust hood, purchase equipment, etc.

It's worth starting with power supply, without which you cannot work.

You can calculate your costs quite simply: one socket with wiring and connection to the network costs approximately 600 rubles. How many sockets you need - such are the costs. If they are already in the premises, then the expense item is removed from the agenda.

Next come water supply and sewerage. Since you have a cafe in the form of a mini-restaurant, both of these points are extremely important for both staff and customers. It is worth considering in the same vein ventilation and exhaust system in the kitchen.

For convenience, it is better to summarize all this communication data in one table:

Category	Details	Cost, rub.
Total		85,500 rubles.
Electricity	20 sockets for the kitchen, living room, and storage areas.	18 000 (600 * 20)
Water supply		17,500 (50 m * 350 rubles per 1 linear meter)
Sewerage	Laying pipes of different diameters - up to 50 m	35,000 (50 m * 700 rubles per 1 linear meter)
Consumables	Fasteners, connectors, etc.	10 000
Ventilation	Ventilation ducts, exhaust hood, etc. – up to 50 m	25,000 (50 m * 500 rubles per 1 linear meter)

Equipment you need to open a cafe

Let's start this section where we left off earlier - with ventilation. Yes, we made ventilation passages, but for all this to work, we need built-in fans. Especially for the kitchen, where it will be impossible to work in the summer without ventilation.

For a hall, kitchen, warehouse and bathroom, you may need 4–7 fans, the cost of which can reach 40–45,000 rubles.

Please note that without good ventilation and exhaust hood in the kitchen, the regulatory authorities will not issue you a permit, so you need to pay very close attention to this section to open a cafe.

Next, you need to consider equipment separately for the hall and kitchen, as well as for storage areas. In the first case, the task is to beautifully serve food and drinks to the guests of the establishment, as well as to entertain them, and in the second case, to prepare food, preserve food so that it does not spoil, etc.

With the hall everything is relatively simple. Here you will need tables and chairs for 50 people (plus spare ones), as well as auxiliary equipment and entertainment equipment.

Here is an approximate estimate of what is needed to open a cafe in relation to the arrangement of the hall:

Furniture and equipment for the hall	Quantity	Cost, rub.
Total		422,500 rubles
Table	13 pcs.	19 500
Chair	55 pcs.	33 000
Bar counter	1 PC.	150 000
Customer self-service line	1 PC.	100 000
TV	1 PC.	20 000
Special effects system (“color music”, spotlights)	1 PC.	10 000
Speakers and microphones (audio system)		30 000
Showcase with cooling function	1 PC.	30 000
Refrigerator for drinks in the living room (with transparent door).	1 PC	30 000

Furniture and equipment for warehouse and industrial premises that are needed to open a cafe are as follows:

Furniture and equipment for work areas	Quantity	Cost, rub.
Total		269,000 rubles
Production table	4 things.	16 000
Washing	2 pcs.	6 000
Racks for vegetables and fruits	2 pcs.	8 000
Electric stove	1 PC.	50 000
Fridge	2 pcs.	100 000
Freezer	2 pcs.	40 000
Microwave	4 things.	28 000
Deep frying equipment	1 PC.	15 000
Grocery scales	2 pcs.	6 000

In addition to all this, you need to purchase dishes to open a cafe.

Since we are talking about an average establishment for 50 people, this list will be huge:

• digesters,
• plates for first and second courses,
• cups with and without saucers,
• glasses (separately for dry and red wine, for champagne and cocktails),
• salad bowls,
• pots,
• frying pans of different diameters,
• glasses,
• cutlery for customers and kitchen staff.

The total cost of this will be from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles, depending on the manufacturer, size, material from which they are made, etc.

Thus, the cost of registration, decoration of the premises and the purchase of all necessary equipment will cost you approximately RUB 1,275,000 – 2,000,000.

Is this too much? Of course, this is not a small amount, but if the location is chosen correctly, then the initial investment will be able to pay for itself in six months to a year.

However, that's not all: we have expenses for daily activities, such as purchasing products, supplies, and paying employees.

What will be the costs after opening the cafe?

The hall for the cafe was prepared, equipment for the establishment was purchased. It's time to worry about staff and supplies.

We will need the following staff: 2 cooks, 2 bartenders and 2 or 4 waitresses. Plus, two service employees are needed: a cleaner and a loader/plumber (“a narrow specialist with a wide profile”).

Since this is not a full-fledged large restaurant, you do not need highly experienced chefs, and accordingly, their salary will be more modest. On average they receive 20 - 25,000 rubles.

The rest of the employees will have a salary in the range of 15,000 - 18,000 rubles. (average for the Russian Federation according to Rosstat).

Cleaning and maintaining the restaurant premises can be done by one person: if the equipment is new, then there won’t be much hassle with it.

	Job title	Quantity	Approximate salary of 1 employee, rub.
1	Director (owner)	1	Profit percentage
2	Accountant	1	Part-time 8,000 or outsource – 3 - 4,000
3	Cook	2	25 000
4	Bartender	2	18 000
5	Waiter	2-4	12-18,000 + tip
6	Cleaner (cleaner)	1	12-15 000
7	Helper (loader, plumber)	1	12-15 000

At a minimum, you will have to hire 7 people for the establishment, and the cost of their salaries will be approximately 125,000 rubles.

Why so much? Is that really all it takes to open a cafe?

Yes, exactly that much because The cafe operates in two shifts - morning and evening. Therefore, the entire staff of one shift must be multiplied by two. Hence two cooks, two bartenders, etc.

Let’s not forget about the administrative staff of your establishment – ​​the accountant and the director. If you are a director, you will take your share from the profit, so we will not take you into account, but we will, but you can take it part-time or outsource.

Total personnel costs will be approximately 150,000 rubles. per month .

a) Products and consumables.

To open a cafe and its subsequent uninterrupted operation, it is necessary to establish logistics connections with suppliers of products in your category (acceptable in price and quality).

Average costs for the purchase of meat, vegetables/fruits, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), etc. are approximately 85,000 - 100,000 rubles. per month.

Much depends on whether the product is produced locally or imported from abroad, so this process needs to be controlled.

In addition to groceries, you need to allocate money in advance for such seemingly unobvious expenses as stationery, garbage bags, all kinds of rags and washcloths.
This usually costs about 3,000 rubles per month if the cafe has high customer traffic.

In the future, it will also be necessary to pay attention to the depreciation of equipment - plates and cups tend to break, chairs break (especially cheap ones), and clothes get dirty.

However, this is not included in the initial cost plan, which in the business plan covers the first 6 months of operation. Everything that happens in the second half of the year and later should be covered directly from the cafe’s revenue.

b) Other regular payments.

Regular payments, in addition to salaries and costs of purchasing products, include utility bills, rent of premises and taxes.

All of them are also best presented in table form:

In general, I’m ready – we’ve sorted out the consumable part. It's time to take stock and determine profitability.

The best way to learn is from other people's experiences, don't you agree?

Roman Nikitin will tell you about starting his business in this video:

Results of a business plan for opening a cafe

First, let's determine the starting capital that is needed to open a cafe.

As we have already said, it includes both one-time expenses (repairs, purchase of equipment, etc.) and regular ones (salary salary, utilities).

In reality, to open an establishment in a cafe format, you need to have about 2,000,000 rubles. , since there are always unforeseen expenses, plus we must not forget about inflation.

We took the average check for our establishment, which is the most crisis-like - 400 rubles. per client (for comparison, Moscow establishments charge 900 rubles). You will have about 80 clients per day if you really opened near a business center.	Approximate restaurant calculations: 80 people * 400 rub. = 32,000 rub. There are 20 working days in a month: 32,000 * 20 = 640,000 rubles.
Add to this corporate parties and other holidays - this establishment is adapted to them. There the average check will be approximately 800 rubles. per person, and a week usually holds no more than two events for 4 - 8 people.	That is, on average per establishment: (4 people * 800 rub.) * 6 events per month = 19,200 rub.
If we round up, then our establishment will generate monthly income of approximately 660,000 rubles. : 660,000 * 3 = 1,980,000 rub. - this means that, in theory, your business will pay for itself in three months.

However, in practice everything will not be quite the same. The fact is that initially your establishment will be unknown to anyone, and you should not count on peak attendance figures for the first three to four months.

The real payback will come after about 6 months of operation of the cafe.

So we've covered everything, what is needed to open a cafe. The business plan came out quite detailed, so now it’s up to the entrepreneurs...

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* The calculations use average data for Russia

1,200,000 RUR

Starting investments

750,000 ₽

150,000 - 220,000 ₽

Net profit

12 months

Payback period

A cafe for children is a niche in the catering industry in which you will not have many competitors and many additional ways to earn money: from conducting master classes to organizing family holidays.

A children's cafe is a specific business that combines the spheres of catering and entertainment. It opens up a lot of opportunities for development and promotion, and is in demand in large and small cities. Competition in this area is still small, so it’s worth using all the opportunities and occupying a niche.

Earn up to
200,000 rub. per month while having fun!

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Why is a children's cafe a relevant business idea? Firstly, targeting a children's audience is relevant under any economic circumstances. Secondly, there are not many similar establishments in our country; the niche of specialized cafes for children is empty. Thirdly, the demand for the services of entertainment outlets for children is very high.

Business Features

The main differences between a children's cafe and other establishments are a special concept in design and menu, the priority of satisfying children's requests, the specifics of the entertainment program, as well as the age division of the audience. The cafe's offer depends on the age of visitors it is aimed at.

As a rule, the atmosphere in the cafe is aimed at children from six months and older, including teenagers up to 14 years old. Children's cafes hold parties for preschoolers and schoolchildren, celebrate birthdays, organize leisure activities: various master classes, show programs, etc. Some cafes rely on a play area, others on the work of animators, and still others on organizing family leisure activities that will be of interest to both children and their parents. Any children's cafe concept can become successful. The main thing is that it is clearly thought out.

Before deciding on the format of the establishment, you need to work out the concept: identify the target audience, the main idea and the feature that distinguishes you from competitors; think through the menu and interior in detail.

Choice of concept and format

To stand out in the market and attract the maximum number of guests, the cafe must have an original concept. This issue should be approached with special responsibility, since not only the cafe’s attendance, but also its profit depends on the concept.

An establishment for children has special requirements that should be taken into account when developing the concept. A children's cafe is a place where it is important to create all the conditions for an interesting, comfortable and safe leisure time for a child. Therefore, the design of the room, the color scheme, all the decor, zoning, furniture and the concept of the playground are carefully thought out.

The classic format of a children's cafe is a catering area and a play area, which may have attractions, an amateur activity corner, a classroom for educational games, etc. Some establishments are equipped with carousels, slides or a pool with balls. The playroom must be safe, so it is important to choose the right finishes and furniture. There should also be a special employee in the play area who will monitor the children. Animators are often hired for this work.

To develop the concept of a children's cafe, you should analyze competitors, research foreign experience, evaluate the needs and interests of the local audience - and, based on the collected information, come up with your own idea for an establishment. It is important to consider the layout and area of ​​the cafe premises. Without a thorough niche analysis, investments will be risky.

There are many options in what form to present a children's cafe. They may differ in presentation, main idea, scale, theme, focus, amount of investment. Some formats are implemented with a budget of 500 thousand rubles, others require capital of 1.5-2 million rubles.

This is an establishment that combines delicious cuisine and the organization of creative events: painting, theater, music, literary evenings, master classes, etc. The main role here is given to the creative development of children, and the topic of food is secondary.

Ice cream is one of the most favorite treats for children, so you can bet on the product. Opening a highly specialized establishment will be much easier and cheaper. Therefore, if the project budget is minimal, then a gelateria-style cafe would be a good option. You can read more about opening an ice cream parlor.

Another product that children love are cakes and a variety of pastries. The atmosphere of a cozy confectionery evokes a feeling of celebration and fits perfectly into the format of a children's cafe. You can find out more about opening a cafe in the pastry shop format.

The main idea is that in such an establishment parents can enjoy good cuisine and a cozy atmosphere while their children play and have fun. Most often, this format is combined with Italian cuisine. The cafe should have a pleasant interior with a homely atmosphere and must have two menus - for children and for adults.

The main “attraction” of such an establishment is the gaming area. This could be a labyrinth, a trampoline complex, a children's playground with houses, a dry pool, etc. This is a standard children's cafe format that can be made more interesting. For example, conduct music classes, culinary master classes or puppet theater performances. Organize a baby sale or family brunch buffet. Everything here is at the discretion of the owner.

Thus, the success of a children's cafe will depend on how thoughtful and convenient the format of the establishment is. It is important to take into account the opinions of both children and adults.

Project implementation

Where to start for an entrepreneur who wants to open a children's cafe? There can be two options:

Conduct a market analysis, assess demand, develop a concept, draw up a business plan - and then look for suitable premises for this project;

First, choose a room - and only then think through the concept, adjusting it to the features of the layout.

It is much more expedient to first decide on the premises, and then develop a project specifically for it. Firstly, this way you can think through the space - and for a children's cafe, with its complex layout, this is important. Secondly, finding a suitable premises is more difficult, so you need to start with this question. And then move on to organizing a business.

Permits and documents for a children's cafe

The first stage is registering a business and obtaining permits. To open a children's cafe, you need to register an LLC with the simplified tax system (“income minus expenses” at a rate of 15%).

Type of activity according to OKVED-2:

56.10.1 “Activities of restaurants and cafes with full restaurant service, cafeterias, fast food and self-service restaurants.”

As additional activities you can choose:

93.29.9 Other entertainment and entertainment activities

92.51 Activities of libraries, archives, club-type institutions

Ready ideas for your business

You will also have to collect an impressive package of permits, comply with all SES requirements, etc. You can read about all the nuances of opening a catering establishment. The registration procedure for a children's cafe is no different from the usual one.

Choosing a children's cafe premises

This issue needs to be addressed in advance. Firstly, because when registering a business, you will have to provide a rental agreement for the premises and obtain permits to work in a specific premises. Secondly, finding a suitable premises is not so easy. The difficulties arise from the fact that catering establishments are subject to strict requirements that they must comply with. Thirdly, a children's cafe requires special zoning, layout, and design. Often there is a need for alterations, which not every owner of the premises will agree to.

You will be very lucky if you manage to find the premises where the catering establishment used to be located. This way you will save on paperwork and, possibly, on some equipment. Often such premises are rented with extractor hood, ventilation, and air conditioning.

When choosing a room, there are two main criteria: its geographical location and the condition of the room itself. A favorable location will be a good advertisement, and the good condition of the premises will reduce repair costs and preparation time for the opening.

The most profitable places to open a children's cafe:

shopping centers;

in a residential area on streets with high pedestrian traffic;

parks, squares, embankments;

premises near children's institutions.

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The premises can be located in a shopping center, on the ground floor of a residential building or in a separate building. The main thing is that it has the necessary communications and the ability to decorate the facade in a corporate theme. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the cafe is easy to get to, and there is convenient parking nearby.

In a cafe, you need to fit in this space: a gaming and dining area, administration, kitchen and utility rooms.

As practice shows, in most cases, premises of 80-100 sq.m. are chosen for children's cafes. It is difficult to arrange all the necessary zones in a smaller area. There are also larger-scale projects, when a children's cafe occupies 300 sq.m. and contains a whole range of attractions.

When choosing a room, pay attention to the decoration and the possibility of redevelopment. A children's cafe is a project with its own specifics and a standard room may not be suitable. In this case, you should have the opportunity to refurbish the premises - this issue should be immediately discussed with the landlord.

Another tip is to try to sign a long-term lease agreement with the owner. This will protect you from unforeseen actions on the part of the owner: increasing payment, terminating the contract, changing the conditions for renting the premises, etc.

The cost of renting a premises with an area of ​​80-100 sq.m. will be about 100 thousand rubles. Figures may vary by region

Equipment purchase

The list of equipment for a children's cafe is very extensive: it is necessary to equip the kitchen, play areas, equipment, furniture, and decorative elements.

Sample list of kitchen equipment:

kitchen stoves;

cutting tables;

household appliances (meat grinder, milkshake maker, blender);

To decorate the play area you will need to purchase various attractions:

slides and modules;

ball pool;

• toys and play sets

To decorate the dining area you will need:

furniture (tables, chairs, armchairs, sofas, poufs)

interior items

Thus, to equip a small cafe, the area of ​​which does not exceed 100 sq. m., you need to spend at least 500 thousand rubles.

Furniture and interior of a children's cafe

A children's cafe is a specific establishment, since the visitors here are diverse - and each with their own interests. It is important that all guests feel comfortable. The design of a children's cafe does not necessarily mean cartoon characters and decor from toys in the “eye-popping” style. Another option is possible: when the interior is calm and cozy, and the mood is set with the help of various decorations.

A good idea would be to zone the cafe – and design each zone for a specific group of visitors. For example, the play area where children are located can be decorated thematically and brightly; the dining area where parents can relax is calmer and more comfortable.

Ready ideas for your business

The interior of the cafe is selected based on the concept. It is up to the business owner to decide how to do it. But there are a few recommendations to keep in mind:

the floor must be level, without thresholds or steps, easy to clean and non-slip to avoid hazardous situations. It is better to lay soft mats on the floor in the playroom;

exclude from the interior all objects “dangerous” for children: ornate stairs, open sockets, small parts, fragile dishes;

Consider the important quality of the interior - accessibility for all ages. Games, furniture and decoration should be chosen for different ages in order to please all visitors: the youngest, the oldest, as well as their parents;

Pay special attention to the choice of furniture: for a children's cafe, its functionality and safety are important. Furniture should have no sharp corners. It is better to purchase round-shaped tables and replace the chairs with soft sofas, ottomans or bean bags. It is better to choose massive tables so that the child cannot tip them over. The best option would be non-toxic, environmentally friendly furniture made of wood or safe plastic.

Not only the quality of the furniture is important, but also its location. The chess arrangement, which is usually used in cafes, will not work in this case. Because in a children's institution it is necessary to create free space for active games and events. It is better to place furniture around the perimeter along the walls.

Don’t forget also about such important little things as:

high chairs for feeding children under 3 years of age;

a separate bathroom and toilet room with a changing table and feeding screen, as well as a children's sink and toilet.

As you can see, designing a children's cafe is a rather labor-intensive process in which it is important to take into account many nuances. Therefore, it is recommended to entrust the design of a cafe to a designer in order to create a cozy, functional, safe space for different visitors. The success of children's cafes is largely determined by the general atmosphere that is maintained in the establishment. People come here not so much for delicious dishes, but for a comfortable stay.

Children's cafe menu and suppliers

The menu of a children's cafe should be very well thought out. It means that:

The dishes are not only tasty, but also necessarily healthy;

The dishes are beautiful and creatively designed to attract the child: pay attention to the latest trends, for example, in recent years, unicorn food has been in fashion, that is, food in the color palette of unicorns.

The food is neutral, i.e.: not too fatty, not too salty, not too spicy and only made from natural products;

All products are as fresh as possible;

The prices for dishes are not inflated so that parents of different incomes can come to the children's cafe;

Portions should be kept small;

Include in the menu dishes that all children love: milkshakes, juices, pizza.

Good raw materials are important for any establishment. Especially when it comes to products for children. Therefore, you need to decide on suppliers in advance, before the establishment opens. Don’t rush to make a choice; carefully study the offers on the market. A quality supplier is one that delivers exactly according to the agreed schedule and delivers fresh products that comply with GOST standards.

Compare prices, product quality and service - and choose the most profitable partnership option. It is better to work with trusted companies and large wholesale stores. The choice of suppliers concerns not only kitchen products, but also stationery, toys, and creative materials. They must also meet the requirements.

Children's cafe staff

What kind of employees are required to work in a children's cafe? In a small establishment the staff will consist of:

cook/pastry chef - 2 people;

game room worker/animator - 2 people;

bartender-waiter – 2-4 people;

administrator;

accountant (outsourcing possible);

cleaner (outsourcing possible).

The position of purchasing manager is also relevant. But it can be occupied by the entrepreneur himself. For a vacancy as a gaming room worker, it is advisable to look for a person who has experience working with children. It is best if the employee has a pedagogical or medical education. As for the animator, it is not profitable for small establishments to keep a permanent employee on staff. Typically, the services of an animator are required only on weekends, as well as during vacations and holidays. This is the busiest time to visit children's cafes.

Costs and profits of a children's cafe

To effectively implement a project, it is imperative to draw up a business plan. And pay special attention to calculating project income and expenses. The article provides approximate amounts, since each project is individual - the amount of investment depends on the price level in the city, the scale of the project, the concept of the establishment, etc.

Calculation of initial investment

Thus, opening a restaurant will require about 1.2 million rubles. In addition to the initial investment, you need to plan your monthly expenses. On average, they will amount to 530 thousand rubles.

Calculation of monthly expenses

These are averages that you should focus on. Now you can calculate your approximate revenue. Let us immediately note that planning catering income is quite difficult. Therefore, the profit amounts are approximate. It is advisable to plan revenue volumes by month to take into account the dynamics of the indicator. At the start, revenue is always lower - it takes the establishment 3-4 months to promote itself and gain an audience. At first, you will have to work on your behalf, actively advertise, attract visitors with profitable promotions and free events. But with the right approach, your efforts will yield appropriate results.

Let's determine the approximate amount of revenue. In the calculations, we will assume that the daily attendance of the establishment is about 50 people per day. On weekdays, attendance will be lower, and on weekends it will be higher - usually 1.5-2 times. Let's consider the option of a small cafe, where the average check per visitor is 500 rubles. Then the revenue will be 25 thousand rubles per day, and per month – 750 thousand rubles.

Now let's calculate the profit for the month:

Net profit = 50×500×30 – 530,000 = 220,000 (rubles).

Of course, one cannot expect such a volume of profit from the very first months of work. But in the future, it is quite possible to reach this level, which will allow the initial investment to recoup within 8-10 months. For the catering industry, a normal indicator is the payback period of 1-1.5 years.

Advertising for a children's cafe

In order to reach the declared revenue volumes, it is necessary to invest in an advertising campaign at the initial stage and think about how to effectively use marketing tools:

a memorable name, attractive design and corporate identity can distinguish you in the market;

distribution of flyers and leaflets in public places;

participation in city events: catering for events, sponsorship, fairs, etc.;

flexible system of discounts: accumulative system, various promotions, happy hours;

a well-designed entertainment program that may interest visitors;

a quality product and service that will provide a positive effect from word of mouth.

Risk factors

Risks need to be dealt with before they occur. It's much cheaper and easier. Therefore, the business plan must compile a list of threats and provide measures to overcome them.

Changes in legislation and changes in requirements for institutions where children stay. The difficulty is that this risk cannot be controlled. You can only create a flexible business model to respond to changes quickly and without losses.

Lack of qualified specialists. This risk can be minimized by carefully selecting employees, offering favorable working conditions to attract good employees, and ensuring staff development.

Responsibility for the health and safety of children. Unpleasant incidents can significantly damage the business reputation of an establishment, which will lead to serious problems. To prevent such situations from arising, it is necessary to conduct thorough instructions for both cafe workers and visitors.

Renting issues are typical for any business that rents space. Firstly, the cost of rent may increase, which means an increase in fixed costs. Secondly, the lease agreement may be terminated with you - then you will have to leave the promoted place and start all over again. This risk can be reduced by concluding a long-term lease agreement.

INhigh level of competition. Despite the fact that there are not many children's cafes, competition may arise from other catering establishments that open children's rooms. Recently, many establishments have come to this decision. And it will be difficult for your cafe, as a newcomer to the market, to compete with well-promoted establishments. To minimize this risk, you must initially take care of creating competitive advantages.

Decrease or loss of reputation among the target audience. This can happen due to management errors, a decrease in the quality of services, actions of competitors, etc. You can reduce the risk by constantly working to improve the service, monitoring feedback on the quality of services and taking corrective measures.

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Entertainment facilities for children are very popular nowadays. As a rule, everything in them is thought out to the smallest detail: comfortable, safe furniture, bright decoration, a menu with children’s favorite dishes and all sorts of events that make little visitors delighted.

Cafes for children are in great demand, so the prospect of opening such an establishment attracts budding businessmen. For an entrepreneur's business to be successful, he needs a children's cafe with calculations.

Where to begin?

The first step is to decide on the direction of the establishment. The level of investment, as well as subsequent attendance and the amount of income, will directly depend on it. Ideas for a children's cafe format:

• An establishment with a games room. Both children and parents can have a pleasant time there. Adults can sit at the tables, chatting while waiting for their order, and kids will play in a special area. It usually contains ball pools, trampolines, slides, labyrinths and even a small sports complex. Children are supervised by animators or teachers. You can also equip a development corner with board games, construction sets, crayons, paints, brushes, etc.;
• Themed cafe. The design of the site in such an establishment is designed in a certain style. For example, the theme of a popular cartoon, book or children's comic is taken. Animators wearing life-size puppets entertain visitors;
• Family restaurant. Such a place may not have a games room, but the menu and interior of the room will be adapted for families with children of different ages.

Interior of a cafe for children, decorated in a fairytale style

Whatever concept an entrepreneur chooses, he must understand that organizing a children's cafe is not an easy task. It is necessary not only to think through the equipment and furniture to the smallest detail, but also to take care of reliable suppliers who will deliver high-quality food products. This is especially important if the cafe's main customers are children.

How to open a children's cafe from scratch: a package of documents for starting a business

A similar project can be launched after completing the registration procedure with the Federal Tax Service. A businessman planning to open a small establishment needs to register as an individual entrepreneur. This is a budget procedure (no more than 800 rubles) that will not take much time.

It is better for future owners of large offices to register as an LLC. The total cost of paperwork will be about 14 thousand rubles, but the legal entity will have an expanded range of opportunities.

Entrepreneurs who want to open one large cafe or chain of establishments should immediately register an LLC. This will give them a number of advantages that are not available to individual entrepreneurs.

After a businessman has registered, he needs to obtain permits from the authorities exercising control over the activities of enterprises:

• Rospotrebnadzor;
• fire inspection.

In addition to these documents, the entrepreneur will need quality certificates for gaming equipment and food products. He must have agreements on hiring staff, renting premises and contracts with suppliers. The owner of the establishment must ensure that each of the workers he hires has a health certificate.

All cafe staff are required to have personal medical records

Cafe for children as a business: premises requirements

In the place where it is planned to open a children's institution, there must be:

• water pipes;
• fire alarm;
• waste system;
• lighting;
• ventilation;
• circuit;
• security and video surveillance systems.

The area of ​​the room must be more than 100 square meters. m, it includes:

• dinner Zone;
• kitchen;
• children's area (if necessary);
• office premises;
• administrative office;
• bathrooms.

Good cafe attendance often depends on the availability of parking and the proximity of transport interchanges. If it is difficult to get to the establishment, it is unlikely to pay off.

For this reason, entrepreneurs often locate children's restaurants in shopping centers and malls. Large-scale establishments with large trampolines and areas for riding electric cars can also be opened there; they will quickly gain popularity among families with children. Parents will be able to leave their children in a specially designated area while they go shopping in peace.

If you open a cafe in a residential building, then you need to think about the decoration of the facade. The exterior design should be bright and interesting (so that it immediately attracts the child’s attention).

When choosing a premises, you need to inquire in advance whether the building is subject to demolition. This can be done at the city department of architecture. If the institution gives a positive answer, you will have to look for another home to open a business.

It is also important to take into account all the requirements of SanPiN. If you do not comply with them, you can receive colossal fines or even a criminal sentence.

The cost of renting space directly depends on the region and population. In small cities, the price per square meter starts from 40 thousand rubles, in large cities - from 80.

A children's cafe located in a shopping center will definitely not be left without visitors.

Financial plan with calculations 2019: equipment purchase

The choice of purchased equipment and furniture depends on the format of the cafe. The minimum list will be like this:

• tables for visitors;
• sofas, armchairs or chairs;
• toys and decor for the hall;
• cutlery and dishes;
• refrigerators;
• kitchen tables;
• dishwashers or wash tubs;
• slabs;
• blender/coffee maker/microwave (depending on the menu);
• grill;
• pizza oven.

This equipment is enough for a small establishment. If an entrepreneur decides to open a children's cafe with a playroom in a small town, he needs to count on more equipment and furniture, to which will be added toys and other children's entertainment. For example, about 300 thousand rubles will be spent on decorating the hall:

• 8 tables for adults;
• 2 tables for children;
• 32 chairs for adults;
• 10 high chairs for children;
• 2 sofas;
• 2 carpets;
• 1 bar counter;
• 3 floor hangers;
• children's labyrinth;
• a pool filled with balls;
• information desk;
• 4 sets of blinds;
• 4 pillows;
• Other decor and toys.

Approximately 500 thousand will be spent on equipping the kitchen:

• pizza oven;
• oven;
• electric stove;
• Dishwasher;
• blender;
• meat grinder;
• coffee machine;
• fridge;
• a set of dishes for 40 visitors;
• overalls for staff;
• tablecloths;
• towels;
• napkins.

All kinds of games and soft poufs for the children's corner will cost about 80 thousand rubles, for office equipment for the staff - 90 thousand. If the cafe will have televisions, then you need to allocate 100 thousand for them. In total, about 100 thousand will be required for equipment, furniture and arrangement of the children's corner 1 million rubles.

Recruitment: where to start?

You can place advertisements on job search portals, as well as conduct a campaign on social networks. These are the most reliable ways to attract potential employees in the service sector. In order for an entertainment cafe for children to start operating, it will need:

• good cooks with appropriate education;
• waiters with experience;
• animators and teachers;
• cleaners;
• administrators;
• security guards;
• accountant.

Kitchen workers and hall staff in contact with children are required to have health certificates. In general, it is worth hiring people with an active lifestyle who love children. A close-knit team focused on a common result is half the success.

Workers must be friendly

Marketing plan: what is needed to open a cafe?

In order for the establishment to begin operating successfully from the first days of opening, it is necessary to think through an advertising campaign in advance. It may consist of:

• posts on social networks;
• distribution of leaflets;
• creating your own Internet portal;
• placement of banners on third-party resources;
• posting advertisements;
• announcements at events;
• buyout of airtime in the media.

Advertising should be selected depending on the type of locality. If it is a big city, then it is better to give preference to leaflets, social networks, websites and the local press. In a small town, you can use both the above methods and outdoor advertising.

Income and expenses: how much does it cost to open a cafe?

If we take as a basis an establishment with 30-40 tables and a games room, then you will need to invest about 1.5-2 million rubles in it. They are distributed like this:

• Repair, design and equipment – ​​1 million;
• Advertising – 120 thousand;
• Salary to employees – 400 thousand;
• Documents, rent and outsourcing – 200 thousand;
• Reserve fund - 100 thousand.

These figures are approximate, since you can hire fewer staff and also save on advertising. The establishment's income will be from 1 to 1.5 million per year. Thus, it will pay for itself in 12-18 months.

To increase your profit margin, you can introduce additional services: holding holidays, making baked goods to order, field service, etc.

Opening a children's cafe is not difficult. It is important to draw up a business plan correctly and decide on the direction of the establishment. If you comply with all standards and sincerely love your business, then it will bring not only income, but also pleasure to the owner.

The most important rule in business is to find your niche. Some entrepreneurs are seriously thinking about opening a children's cafe, but many competitors and high demands discourage them from this venture. Yes, you will have to invest a lot of money and effort, but with proper business management, the payback of the project will not take long to arrive.

Is it profitable to open a children's cafe?

Opinions about the profitability of a children's cafe vary greatly:

• such an establishment is not a catering establishment, so the likelihood of receiving high income from sales of cakes, sweets and other food is very doubtful;
• entertainment programs for children will bring much more than other activities;
• The demand for children's cafes is extremely low: no one will visit the establishment.

However, it is simply impossible to give an accurate estimate for all possible cases in advance. Everything depends on every single detail of the business, so the structure of all points should be clearly defined. And it’s better to do this even before:

1. Food.

Parents bring their children to the children's cafe, obviously not with the goal of feeding the child (the prices are too high), but to organize a party or pamper the kids. However, everything is in the hands of the entrepreneur: if the treats are prepared in the best possible way, made from high-quality products, and the margins are higher than competitors, then income can be significantly increased.

But there is also a downside: when opening a children’s cafe, it is important to seriously study the market and analyze demand among the population. It is possible that the consumer segment will not be able to afford expensive treats, which means the business will suffer significant losses.

2. Entertainment.

Competitions, songs and other programs and events will indeed generate the most income. But this does not make sense if all other components of the establishment are at a minimum level.

3. Attendance.

It directly depends on the region, the chosen location, prices and other indicators. It is for this reason that it is so important to draw up in advance, fully think through a business strategy and qualitatively analyze the market.

All mentioned features are a preliminary assessment of the profitability of the business. More accurate amounts and a general idea of ​​the effectiveness of activities can only be learned after a thorough study of demand.

Business plan for a children's cafe

In any business, it is important to draw up a clear plan that the entrepreneur will follow in the course of his activities.

Its presence will seriously affect the success of the business, because thanks to it you can foresee possible difficulties in advance, accurately determine the main goals and thoroughly study future income and expenses.

The business plan should consist of the main points that directly affect the profitability of the children's cafe:

1. Market analysis and placement.

The first step is to check this area of ​​business, namely:

• analyze demand;
• study all competitors, find their strengths and weaknesses;
• understand your own advantages and disadvantages, and then decide whether they are enough to attract potential clients;
• find a suitable place to open, etc.

It is important to note that there is no point in opening an establishment near competitors. They already have a regular audience, therefore, they will have the main flow of visitors, while a certain skepticism will remain towards the new children's cafe.

It also makes no sense to open an establishment in a shopping center, next to the game rooms, for the same reason. It is best, in principle, to discard places where there is a certain number of regular customers:

• next to a pizzeria/catering/other entertainment establishments;
• shopping centers;
• development centers, etc.

The most advantageous location for a children's cafe will be the area most distant from competitors where there is demand. This is where the information collected about potential clients will help - the presence of young families, small children and places of family leisure in the selected location (you should remember about competitors).

Sleeping areas are the main part of the target audience. Such places will have a good impact on the establishment’s attendance and its profitability/recoupment.

2. Premises and design.

Having found various options for opening a children's cafe, it is imperative to focus on the GOST 30389-95 standard. This document clearly indicates the required dimensions:

• 1.6 sq. m per seat (for 50 people you will need an area of ​​about 170 sq. m);
• mandatory availability of warehouse and work premises;
• the play area for children should be 75-100 sq. m.

Opening a children's cafe without a play area is not profitable, since it is the games and entertainment in this establishment that will bring maximum income to the entrepreneur. If there is no gaming hall, it may be better to open a regular cafe (this will be much more profitable in economic terms).

If a building for a children's cafe is built separately and not rented, then during construction it is necessary to comply with the requirements of the document GSN (DBN) 360-92.

According to the requirements, the premises must have:

• heating;
• ventilation system;
• electricity;
• water pipes;
• full compliance with the requirements of the sanitary and epidemiological station and the fire service.

Although the play area for children occupies most of the room, you should also allocate space for a cafe area, bathrooms, kitchen, dressing room, vestibule, warehouse. Taking all this into account, 120 sq. m - the minimum acceptable size for a children's cafe.

The decoration and design of the establishment should be handled by a professional designer. A “cartoon” style with appropriate decorations is perfect. The cost of designing a children's cafe averages from $1,500 to $3,000. However, you can find cheaper options, but in such establishments the interior is of great importance, so the quality of the design must be at its best.

3. Equipment.

An important point of the business plan, in which you should take into account all the necessary equipment, furniture and take care of their compliance with the sanitary rules of public catering (in particular, SanPiN 42-123-5777-91):

• furniture: tables, chairs, bar counter, benches;
• household appliances: refrigerator, stove, meat grinder, etc. (coffee machine, cocktail maker, display case with treats are also possible);
• tableware safe for children;
• lighting and music equipment, for example, for various events, birthday celebrations;
• costumes for staff and animators;
• specific paraphernalia: various decorations with cartoon characters, inflatable structures, dry pool, swings, inflatable balls, etc.;
• alarm system for security of the establishment;
• additional plumbing (for example, washbasins).

Also, for a full-fledged business, it is necessary not only to buy cash registers, but also to legally formalize them in accordance with all the rules. They will be discussed in more detail below.

4. Suppliers.

Any person understands that all products intended for children must be of the highest quality. Therefore, suppliers should be chosen accordingly, otherwise the establishment’s reputation will suffer catastrophically without bringing any profit. And perhaps even serious losses.

If a child is poisoned by food/drinks and the entrepreneur’s guilt is proven, he will have to pay very serious sums. First, a fine for negligence and neglect of GOST requirements, and then compensation for the victims. The judicial system in the Russian Federation takes cases in which children have been injured extremely seriously, so an entrepreneur should take care that this never happens.

5. Menu.

People come to a children's cafe for the purpose of a holiday, and not to eat a hearty meal. The best option would be to add pizza, french fries, various sweets, etc. to the menu card. The menu should not be large. It is enough to focus on the most famous and popular dishes so that they are often purchased.

Photos are required for the menu. They can be ordered from the designer, but it is better that the photos match the prepared dish as closely as possible, so as not to disappoint visitors. It would also be a good idea for a children’s cafe to have creative names: regular pancakes can be called “Pancakes from Masha and the Bear.”

But you need to avoid stupid puns. It is unlikely that parents will appreciate, for example, the name of the hot dog “Cat in Dough.” Everything should be approached with a twist, but within acceptable limits. The main goal of the establishment is a feeling of celebration and a kind, happy atmosphere. With this approach, profits will not be long in coming.

The menu doesn't always have to be static. In the hot season, you can supplement the menu with ice cream and soft drinks, and in winter, hot chocolate, etc. will work great.

It is important to remember that you cannot give up healthy food. On the contrary, it should be promoted first, but designed creatively. Many children do not like porridge, but, for example, beautifully decorated wheat porridge with the addition of fresh fruit will play its role perfectly. Parents will also appreciate such efforts, which will have a positive impact on the reputation of the institution.

6. Staff.

Working with children requires certain skills, abilities and psychological balance. All this should be taken into account. And even the cleaners who don’t really have contact with the kids. After all, the abundance of children's laughter can infuriate any unprepared person, and nervous breakdowns and the tense state of the staff are completely unnecessary.

For a children's cafe you will need:

• waiters;
• nannies (female staff who work directly with children and do everything to please or amuse them);
• administrator;
• accountant;
• cleaners;
• security guards;
• animators;
• cooks and pastry chefs.

It is quite logical that each employee must masterly perform his or her job. You shouldn’t hire untested people even for the position of cleaners; everything should be of the highest quality, because this is being done for the sake of the children, and all these steps will directly affect the reputation of the establishment, and therefore potential income and profit.

7. Marketing.

A well-drafted business plan, in which all of the above points will be mentioned and studied in detail, will be the basis of the business. It will give a complete picture of all expenses, profits, possible risks and benefits.

Registration and documents

A children's cafe is a business like any other. Therefore, it must be registered. To do this, it is enough to complete a list of all necessary documents:

• register a legal entity depending on the desired form;
• indicate (55.30 for the Russian Federation);
• obtain permits from the sanitary and epidemiological station, gas and fire services, strictly comply with their requirements (the amount of fines can be significant, especially since this is for the safety of children);
• advertising permit (required if a sign is installed, which is legally considered outdoor advertising);
• registration of personnel in accordance with the Labor Code;
• lease/ownership agreement for the premises;
• register the cash register with the tax service;
• organize a “visitor’s corner” in accordance with legal requirements;
• possess certificates for the quality of products and equipment used.

If you have difficulties in preparing documents, you can contact an experienced lawyer who will help in this matter. On average, it will take from 3 to 5 months to prepare all the documentation (a lawyer can do it faster, but you will have to pay extra for urgency).

Costs and profitability

When opening a children's cafe initial capital will be spent on:

• repair work on the premises - $170 per 1 sq. m. m;
• purchase of furniture, equipment, etc. - about 20-25 thousand dollars;
• preparation of documentation – $250 + legal services, if needed;
• creation of a corporate identity – $500;
• purchases from suppliers (initial) – $2,000;
• designer decoration of the gaming room - $3,000.

Costs are indicated in dollars due to the constantly changing exchange rate of the ruble. Moreover, many procedures will be paid in foreign currency.

All prices are approximate and may vary depending on many factors.

Fixed (monthly) expenses will be:

• rent – ​​8-10 dollars per 1 sq. m;
• utility bills – $350 or more depending on the size of the establishment;
• wages to employees - $200 each + employee services in the form of piecework payment;
• taxes - individually, but you will have to spend approximately $150;
• replenishment of goods from suppliers - about 1 thousand dollars, if there are regular visitors.

The total cost of opening a children's cafe will be about 40 thousand dollars.

In general, a children's cafe will pay for itself in 3-4 years, but this period may vary depending on the success of the business, its popularity and the rental amount. Custom events (birthday celebrations, etc.) are paid on an individual basis depending on the resources spent by the establishment.

How to open a children's cafe (video)?

A children's cafe is a fairly successful type of business. Its profitability depends on the correct level of service, quality of products and equipment. However, starting such a business is very difficult, so novice entrepreneurs may face serious difficulties.

A cafe is the most popular format of a catering establishment. It doesn't take millions to start this business. costs. If the cafe works well, it is easy to acquire a permanent, loyal clientele. You can work in one place for decades and even pass this business on by inheritance.

But in order for a cafe to bring in a constant, stable income, before opening it, you need to study the key points of this business. Of course, nothing can replace your real experience, but still, it’s worth knowing where to start if you decide to open your own cafe from scratch.

For our users, we wrote a book about opening a small cafe, where we collected only practical recommendations, examples and calculations. This is little more than just step-by-step instructions, so we highly recommend you read it.

What will you learn by reading our book? Before opening your own cafe, you need to answer a number of questions:

• Where will you open the cafe? Will it be a shopping center, a busy street, a residential area or a closed area such as an office center, university, or enterprise?
• Are there enough of your potential clients there? How to estimate the expected attendance of your cafe?
• How are your competitors doing? What niche in the catering market can you occupy?
• Where to buy equipment, furniture and dishes for your cafe?
• How to legally resolve the issue with musical accompaniment?
• What is needed to obtain permission to open a cafe?

Our instruction book will tell you where to start to open your own cafe. But we did not limit ourselves to just describing the procedure for opening a cafe. You will also learn how to evaluate a restaurant’s menu for profitability, what efficiency indicators exist for an operating cafe, what your chef should do, and what area of ​​responsibility you should control.

How much does it cost to open a cafe from scratch?

To understand how much money you need to open a cafe, you need to decide on the format of your establishment. At the preliminary stage of assessing the location, the activities of competitors, possible attendance, and the average bill, you can already guess how much daily income your cafe will generate. A good payback period for a café would be one year of its operation at full capacity, and this is what you should proceed from when calculating how much money you will need to open your café.

All costs of opening a cafe from scratch can be divided into one-time costs and those that will have to be borne throughout the entire period of the cafe’s activity. Let's collect this data in a table:

We did not indicate in the table the most important item of expense - premises, since the situation here may be different:

• you already have your own cafe premises;
• you are planning to buy a premises;
• The cafe space will be rented.

Most often, cafe premises are rented. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, areas where there is good traffic are often located in shopping centers, where the premises can only be rented. Secondly, renting, rather than purchasing, premises reduces the cost of opening a cafe. Thirdly, despite all the preliminary calculations, the location of the cafe may turn out to be unsuccessful.

You need to rent space for a cafe wisely. We talked about what you need to pay attention to when concluding a lease agreement with the owner in our book. Well, if the premises are yours, congratulations, your risks when opening a cafe from scratch will be much less.

In each specific case, the amount of expenses when opening a cafe from scratch will be different. In our book, we calculated in detail and down to the smallest detail the cost of opening a summer cafe for 20 people. One-time costs amounted to 500 thousand rubles, plus 330 thousand rubles were fixed costs for the first month of the cafe’s operation, taking into account the rent of the premises. Total, 830 thousand rubles.

For business starters, we advise you to consider the option of a franchise in the catering industry. In some cases, opening a cafe as a franchise will be cheaper due to the fact that the franchisor is interested in promoting its brand. For example, he can offer you equipment in installments, for rent, or even for free use. Of course, he will later reimburse his expenses when he receives monthly payments from you, but at the first stage, operating a cafe as a franchise will help you quickly start making a profit.

When choosing a franchise, keep in mind that the examples of expenses and income in the franchisor’s proposal may not be entirely reliable. The franchisor is interested in selling you a franchise, so recalculate all the given figures yourself and add those expenses that are not taken into account in his rosy picture.

Are you planning to open your own business? Don’t forget about the current account - it will simplify doing business, paying taxes and insurance premiums. Moreover, now many banks offer favorable conditions for opening and maintaining a current account. You can view the offers here.

How to open a cafe from scratch: business plan

Do you need a business plan to open a cafe? If we talk about a professionally compiled document with formulas, graphs and marketing research, then it will not be cheap. Unfortunately, even an expensive document prepared by specialists will not guarantee you the stated income figures. A business plan is just a plan; only the cost figures will be more or less accurate.

However, before you open your own cafe, you must also calculate its income. Yes, it will only be estimated, but you should imagine what you can count on if the cafe is well organized.

We propose to replace a professional business plan for opening a cafe with an example with calculations of expenses and revenues. You can also find such an example in our book. In this example, we calculated not only the amount of expenses, but also how many visitors should come to the cafe, what the average bill should be, and what the payback period for your cafe might be.

What documents are needed to open a cafe?

What permits are needed to open a cafe? A cafe is a public catering establishment, and such establishments are under increased attention from supervisory authorities. Answering the question: “What does it take to open a cafe?”, we must draw your attention to the presence of certain bureaucratic barriers.

Unfortunately, the process of obtaining permits to open a cafe can take you a lot of time. The procedure itself is not explicitly stated in any regulatory act, because approvals must be obtained from different services.

The package of documents for opening a cafe in 2019 will include:

• coordination with the fire inspectorate;
• sanitary and epidemiological conclusion from Rospotrebnadzor on the compliance of the cafe with the requirements;
• permission to open a cafe from the local administration;
• permission to place outdoor advertising;
• a license to sell alcohol if you sell it;
• agreement with the police on the placement of a panic button.

The most difficult thing will be to obtain permission from Rospotrebnadzor to open a cafe, because To do this, you must comply with the requirements of several special documents (SNiP). During the issuance of the conclusion, Rospotrebnadzor will request contracts for disinfection, garbage removal, laundry services, a technological project for connecting equipment to electricity, water, sewerage and other documents. Next, a sanitary production control program will be approved, according to the plan of which further activities will be checked. We advise you not to enter into a lease until you know the sanitary requirements for your type of cafe. It is possible that the room you have chosen cannot meet them at all.

It is easier to open a cafe in a room where there was already a catering outlet, or in a shopping center in the food court format, where the administration of the shopping center will provide some assistance in obtaining permits.

You can find out what documents you need to open a cafe in Russia from specialized law firms that help in obtaining various types of licenses, approvals, and permits. It is no secret that the presence of connections, knowledge of the procedure, and regional characteristics are of great importance in this matter, therefore, if you have the opportunity to order such services, it is worth taking advantage of it.

In any case, do not despair, you can obtain permits to open a cafe yourself, especially since you only need to do this once. Look at how many catering outlets there are, all of which were able to overcome these bureaucratic obstacles. So can you.