The idea behind running a coffee shop is inspiring, but what items are essential? In this blog, we will explain 12 items that we’ve heard our customers are in desperate need of over the years. The process of deciding what items you and your customer will need to open a coffee shop can be daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. We’ve done all of the research for you so that your business can be on track and ready in no time. When thinking ‘what do I need to start a coffee shop business’ your thoughts can get lost, so it’s better to note it down or print off this guide to help you tick everything off your list. You’ll have customers flooding through your doors in no time! 

What do I need to start a coffee shop business?

Receipt printers- Receipt printers are an important part of the point of sale (POS) systems. In an environment when you are selling goods, they print credit card slips and customer receipts. 

Barcode scanners- These devices scan barcodes on packaged items like savoury and sweet food. This can make the buying process much faster and more efficient for those busy moments. 

Label Printers- You will need a label printer for placing labels on items that have a barcode to scan. These are the quickest and most efficient ways to put the stock out onto the shelves in the morning, ready for service. 

Vacuum- This one is a must, one of the most important factors in opening a cafe is making sure it is clean, you will be hoovering on a daily basis from food droppings. When thinking ‘what do I need to start a coffee shop business, this may come as obvious, but it’s often something that people forget about. 

Consumables- If you have any printers, you will need the consumables for them. This could include till roll, cartridges, laminates and print heads. 

Cash draws- These are a must if you are serving customers. Cash draws have security measures to make sure that the till is closed at all times, they usually require a key to open. 

Customer displays- This will tell your customer the price as you run the items through the till. 

Till rolls and receipt paper- Receipts have to come from somewhere! Tills require special paper that can print out quickly and is a perfect size. 

Kitchen printers- These are used so that the till can send orders to the kitchen. This is beneficial so that chefs can prepare and cook meals without interruption. 

Hand sanitiser dispensers- It has been more important than ever during recent years that we all keep up with hand hygiene. Making sure that your customers and staff are keeping their hands sanitised is a way to stop the spread of the virus and prevent the spread of germs. 

Signage- It’s always useful to have signage around to let people know where they should go and what they should do. For example, a ‘wash your hands’ sign is used in most toilets. 

Stationary- Notepads are a must from writing down reminders to writing down customer orders from tables. 

Other items like furniture, decorations and kitchen equipment are needed when thinking ‘what do I need to start a coffee shop business’, these are just some examples that people often forget about.