The UAE is a country of coffee and tea drinkers. Because of this, you will find cafes on nearly every block. Hot and cold caffeinated beverages are staples in almost all restaurant menus as well.
Opening a coffee shop in the UAE, therefore, is an excellent business idea for entrepreneurs who want to be part of the food and beverage industry. The country has a massive market of coffee and tea lovers who are typically interested in trying new beverages and dining experiences.
By running your café here, there is a high chance you will get a good slice of the business. You will also fulfill your dream of owning a coffee shop.
Standing Out From the Competition
Since there are hundreds of coffee shops across the UAE, ranging from well-known chains to small family-owned ones, you will face stiff competition. However, if you really want to be a café owner, you should not let this fact deter you.
Whether you will still be opening your coffee shop or are already running one, the key to owning a successful, profitable establishment is to make all operations as efficient as possible. Once you have achieved this, you and your staff will be able to provide excellent service to all customers.
When stellar service is paired with well-prepared beverages and delectable food offerings, you will have repeat customers. You will attract new patrons as well. All these translate to better business and higher profits.
If you want to run a more efficient and successful coffee shop in the UAE, start by following the tips below:
1. Invest in a good POS system
Having a coffee shop POS system is one of the best things you can do to manage your business more efficiently and productively.
A good POS program will simplify and automate many of the daily tasks associated with running a coffee shop. These include monitoring sales and managing inventory and employee schedules.
When these are all automated, you will have fewer things to do and worry about. You can then focus on the other aspects of running your business, such as sourcing high-quality coffee products or improving your menu.
Additionally, with a POS system, you will have access to up-to-date data, analytics, and reports which will help you make informed, smart decisions regarding your business.
2. Create a menu with a variety of offerings
To provide faster service to patrons who visit your café every day, consider putting a default recipe on your menu. By doing so, the staff won’t need to ask each customer dozens of questions to get their best order. As a result, this will significantly speed up the ordering process.
However, to attract and retain more customers, make sure there are original and fun food and drink selections on your menu as well. With such options, you make your business unique, thereby allowing patrons to remember your brand and keep them coming back.
A simple way of offering something original to customers is to provide different ingredients that can be added to the drinks and food. These can include spices, toppings, and options for dietary needs.
Once customers know that your coffee shop is the only one that sells a blended drink they can’t get anywhere else or that you care about their needs, they will associate your coffee shop with a positive experience. With their loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing, you will enjoy better business.
3. Redesign your ordering area
If you have been showcasing fresh coffee beans in your shop for design and ambiance-setting reasons, it’s time you rethink this decision.
Selling the fresh coffee beans you have on display per pound will allow you to earn a few bucks. However, if you use these products to create high-end drinks, such as espresso-based blended beverages, your profit margin increases significantly.
As such, avoid taking up space on the counter or ordering area by placing bags of roasted beans that have low-profit margins. Instead, put posters or other visuals that highlight your more profitable espresso-based concoctions.
4. Establish better employment management strategies
A POS system that has timekeeping capabilities will allow your employees to clock in and out of their shifts effortlessly. Additionally, with this feature, you will create a more accurate monthly payroll. You will also monitor employee tardiness and performance more easily as well.
In addition to using your POS system for managing your staff, establish other practices and strategies that will help them become more efficient and productive. For instance, allow your employees to swap shifts on their own. Let them find their replacements and then inform you of the new schedule changes.
With this simple strategy, you will avoid the stress and work of looking for a replacement when needed.
5. Be consistent
Finally, providing all customers the same level and quality of service over and over again is crucial if you want to have a successful coffee shop.
As such, be consistent with serving quality beverages and food. They should always taste and look good regardless of the time of day and who ordered them.
Additionally, make sure all customers are greeted and welcomed properly once they enter your coffee shop. Your staff should always be friendly, polite, and attentive to their needs and preferences.
Lastly, always ensure your shop is clean and appealing to complete the great experience of all your customers while they are inside your establishment.
Visualizing the success of your business will help you run a profitable coffee shop. But if you have more long-term goals for your café, follow the tips shared above so that you can take your venture to the next level
About the Author:
Ahmad Alzaini is the co-founder and CEO of Foodics, a fast-growing food tech startup. A businessman by nature, Alzaini is an app aficionado, developing businesses in Saudi Arabia within several industries. Today, Foodics has extended to new markets across the MENA region, processing over 1 billion transactions, and offering the latest technology in POS and restaurant management.
