Shelves
The French are known for being fine gourmets but also true lovers of outdoor cafes. Also, cafes have been on the rise for many years. Do you want to take the plunge and open your own café? Discover the different stages of opening a café restaurant, from market research to furnishing, including finding the ideal place, we’ll tell you everything!
What are the steps to open a café in 2025?
Opening a café in 2025 represents an exciting entrepreneurial adventure, but one that requires meticulous preparation. From concept to decoration, each step plays a crucial role in the success of your project. This article guides you step by step in the creation of your coffee: from the choice of concept to customer loyalty.
1. Before starting: define your coffee project
Are you ready to start the entrepreneurial adventure of opening a café? Before you can choose the ideal place and its furnishing, a few administrative steps await you to think about the smallest details of your project.
Define the concept of your coffee: independent or franchise?
First of all, the first step is to choose if you want to start as an independent or if you prefer to join a franchise? If the franchise can bring security thanks to the experience of the franchisor, the freedom of independence can also attract.
You can choose to import a concept of café or restaurant that you have discovered abroad and which does not yet exist in France, as it did a few years ago with the cat bars imported from Japan. The ideal is to find a feature (in your concept, your decoration, on your menu, etc.) that will allow you to stand out from your competitors: fresh and organic products only, small card or wide choice of dishes, specific cuisine,...
Conduct a market analysis and study the competition
Study your competitors on a national and local scale to see what works or not, their locations in the region or even their specificities. Also inquire about the expectations of your future customers, go to meet them, test the products of your competitors, etc. This will allow you to determine the positioning for which you want to opt for your coffee.
Choose the legal status of your company
Now that you see more clearly the concept of the café you want to open, move on to the more administrative part. Your legal status will depend on the number of people participating in the project:
- You are several partners, go instead to an LLC (Limited Liability Company);
- You are the only one to hold the boat, an EI (individual company) or EURL (Single-Person Limited Liability Company) will better meet your expectations.
Develop a business plan and a financing plan
In order to open a café, you will most certainly need to set up a financing plan. The latter will allow you to put on paper the financial contributions necessary for the project as well as the assistance to which you may be entitled. This document is mandatory to set up your business plan; an essential tool for demonstrating the solidity of your entrepreneurial project to your partners.
Your business plan includes your market study, carried out a few months in advance, a detailed presentation of your project as well as your financial documents (income statement, financing plan, provisional balance sheet, ...).
Licenses and permits required to open a coffee shop
Opening a coffee shop requires obtaining certain licenses, notably the liquor license if you plan to serve alcohol. The procedures vary according to the category of drinks offered, and it is imperative to follow specific training to obtain this operating right.
Benefit from the available aid for opening a business
Many financial aids exist to support the opening of a café: regional subsidies, loans at preferential rates or even support from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Training and benefiting from support from the start allows you to secure your project and increase your chances of success.
Manage the VAT and tax obligations related to opening a café
Like any business, opening a café will be subject to tax obligations. You will need to anticipate the management of the VAT applicable to your sales and get in touch with a chartered accountant to ensure that your tax and accounting obligations are properly fulfilled.
The preparations for an opening of a café - restaurant
💡To remember: Before opening, define your concept, conduct market research, develop a business plan and obtain your licenses. These foundations determine the success of your future coffee.
2. Find 'the place to be': the ideal location for your coffee
Once you are done (or almost!) with the administrative part, you can turn to concrete actions by starting in search of the perfect implementation! The one that will allow you to retain a regular clientele for your coffee.
Find the ideal place for your coffee restaurant
The catchment area of your business will be decisive for the continuation of your entrepreneurial adventure! Your previous market research has already provided you with a potential search area to find your local.
If you focus your attention on a place in an urban environment, such as in the city center, you are certain to be visible in the market since these are busy places. On the other hand, rents and competition can be high. On the other hand, moving to a location more remote from the center or in a more rural area will bring you a clientele that may be less numerous, but often loyal if your offer suits them. The rent will certainly be lower and you will be less exposed to direct competition. This choice falls to you depending on your desires and your situation.
Find the ideal place for your future café/restaurant
Choose the location according to the target audience
Adapt your choice to your target clientele:
- Residential areas: friendly atmosphere, family clientele.
- Business areas: fast service, lunch offer.
- Student districts: relaxed atmosphere, low prices and coffee to take away.
How to estimate the budget for the purchase or rental of the premises
The choice of premises will largely depend on your available budget. It is therefore essential to evaluate:
- The rent or the purchase cost,
- The charges and insurance,
- The possible work,
- Notary or commercial lease fees.
Take the time to evaluate the profitability of your future premises before signing!
Anticipate the necessary work to arrange the premises
A step not to be overlooked when you are looking for a professional space is the evaluation of the work to be done. This can be simple decoration work to make the space to your liking, but also heavier work that must be included in the financing plan for your coffee.
💡To remember: The location is strategic. Choose a location consistent with your target clientele, anticipate costs and work to avoid financial contingencies.
3. Set up your café: create a unique and functional atmosphere
Have you found the rare gem? The commercial space that totally suits you? It’s time to move on to the 'fun' part of your project: furnishing and decoration!
Select the furniture adapted to your concept
To arrange your coffee, you will need professional equipment, preferably made of solid wood, renowned for its robustness and durability. For the furnishing of your coffee, you will need to:
- Tables or table tops, table legs and chairs, high tables and bar stools, … ;
- Reception counter, cash register, … ;
- Display stands, bars, …
Discover our guide to choosing the essential furniture for your café restaurant ! The solid wood furniture offered by Tradis will bring a natural touch to your decoration and will immediately give a warm side to your café restaurant.
Organize the space optimally to streamline the customer experience
A good layout also requires an optimized organization of space and stocks. In order to streamline your team’s work and improve the customer experience, consider planning dedicated areas:
- Preparation area
- Service area
- Well delimited storage spaces
Also think about creating modular spaces, which adapt to the seasons or special events.
Example of restaurant layout Tradis
Create an atmosphere consistent with your concept
Once the premises have been found and the furniture selected, the general atmosphere of your café must be completely consistent with the concept you defined at the beginning. An eco-friendly café can rely on natural materials and minimalist decoration, while a themed café will prioritize strong scenography to immerse customers in a specific universe.
The decoration, the lighting, the choice of colors and even the music played contribute to the overall experience. A successful atmosphere is not limited to aesthetics: it must tell a story and strengthen the identity of your coffee. This is what will encourage your customers to return regularly and talk about your establishment around them.
💡To remember: A successful layout combines comfort, aesthetics and identity. Opt for sustainable furniture and create an atmosphere consistent with your concept to make a mark.
4. Promote your coffee: attract and retain your customers
Now that everything is ready to welcome your first clients, it is essential to make you known. Communication is the key to attracting customers and retaining them!
Create a website and be present on social networks
A modern website and active profiles on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok are essential to share your universe and news. Regularly post engaging photos, special offers or events to generate engagement.
Use local marketing: flyers, events and promotions
Distribute flyers in nearby businesses, organize inaugurations, collaborate with local actors or propose launch offers to attract your first customers. Local media (newspapers, radios) can also relay your opening.
Set up a loyalty program to encourage returns
Reward the loyalty of your customers with a loyalty card or a drink offered after a certain number of passages. These small attentions strengthen the customer relationship and encourage regular visits.
Search for customer reviews and testimonials to strengthen your reputation
Online reviews play a key role in local awareness. Encourage your satisfied customers to share their experience on Google or TripAdvisor. A good e-reputation attracts new visitors and lends credibility to your café.
💡To remember: To get your coffee out there, use active communication online and in the field. Create a loyal community through proximity marketing and impeccable customer service.
Frequently asked questions
The first step to open a café in 2025 is to define the concept of your establishment. This includes the type of coffee you want to create (independent, themed, franchised, coffee shop, etc.), your positioning (high-end, friendly, eco-responsible...), and the clientele you are targeting. Once this vision is clear, you can start your market study to validate the feasibility of the project before moving on to the administrative and financial part.
The cost of opening a café varies according to several factors: the size of the premises, the location, the decoration and the type of material chosen. On average, you should plan between €60,000 and €150,000 for a small coffee shop, and up to €250,000 or more for a more ambitious concept or located in a big city. This budget includes works, furniture, licenses, initial stock and working capital.
To equip your coffee, certain materials are essential for its proper functioning:
- A professional coffee machine, adapted to the volume of your clientele
- A counter and a cash register
- Robust and comfortable tables, chairs and stools, ideally made of solid wood for a warm and durable finish
- Displays and storage spaces
- A glasswasher, refrigerator and refrigerated display cases
- A sound and lighting system to create a welcoming atmosphere.
These elements guarantee both the efficiency of the service and the comfort of your customers.
The development budget depends on the surface, the desired style and the materials used. In general, it takes between €10,000 and €30,000 to set up a medium-sized coffee shop.
Solid wood furniture, such as those offered by Tradis, are an excellent investment: they offer sustainability, aesthetics and authenticity while enhancing your establishment. This type of furniture gives a friendly and elegant atmosphere, essential for customer loyalty.
Loyalty depends above all on an irreproachable customer experience. Take care of the reception, the quality of service and the general atmosphere. You can also:
- Set up a loyalty program (points card, drink offered after several visits)
- Organize regular events (concerts, exhibitions, theme evenings)
- Be active on social networks to maintain the link with your community
- Encourage your customers to leave positive reviews online.
These actions strengthen the local notoriety of your café and create a lasting relationship with your visitors.