If you want to learn how to open a coffee shop in Missouri, you’ve come to the right place! You don’t have to go through the coffee shop startup process alone – or pay hefty franchise or coffee school fees.
Instead, learn how to open and run a successful coffee shop in Missouri through our proven 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Startup Success process.
Why listen to our advice? We have decades of coffee industry experience since our founder started roasting coffee in 1991.
Over three decades, we’ve won major awards, including Roast magazine’s 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.
Plus, our experienced coffee shop startup consultants have helped entrepreneurs across the USA – most with little or no coffee shop experience – open more than 300 coffee shops in 30 states. We currently support three coffee shops in Missouri.
Using the 7 Steps process and our consultants, we can help you develop a strong coffee shop business plan and provide insight into coffee shop startup costs in your Missouri community.
As a one-stop shop for independent coffee shop owners, Crimson Cup can also help you find a terrific location, lay out your shop, hire and train staff, market your shop, and more.
You’ll also gain access to award-winning coffee and coffee shop products that will keep your customers coming back!
Keep reading to learn more or call 888-800-9224 now to connect with our coffee shop startup consulting team!
Missouri is a Terrific State to Open a Coffee Shop!
With just 6 major coffee chain locations per 100,000 residents in Missouri, there’s plenty of opportunity to open and run a successful independent coffee shop in your local community.
Missouri ranks 35th in overall coffee shops per capita, according to a study by Zoma Sleep. The study counted 6,609 Missouri residents for every coffee shop in The Show Me State.
Considering that 62 percent of Americans drink coffee, averaging three cups per day, it’s safe to say there’s room for more coffee shops in Missouri to serve both residents and the millions of annual visitors from other states and countries.
And, according to the National Coffee Association, coffee drinkers are flocking to espresso-based beverages brewed from high-quality beans. Consumption of cappuccinos, lattes, and mochas has increased by a staggering 50 percent since 2015, driven in part by strong popularity with 25 to 39-year-olds.
Small Cities and Towns Present Big Opportunities
With many parts of Missouri underserved by major coffee chains, it might pay to consider starting a coffee shop outside the largest cities of Kansas City, Saint Louis, Springfield, Columbia, Independence, and Jefferson City.
Many cities and towns in Missouri’s 114 counties lack a gathering place where locals can get together over a cup of coffee. Does your city or town need an independent coffee shop? Would you like to be the result that comes up when people in your part of Missouri search for “coffee near me?” Read on to learn more about how to start a coffee shop in Missouri.
Missouri is Open for Small Business!
With the fifth-lowest corporate tax rate in the USA, Missouri is a great place to open a coffee shop!
Home to more than 461,000 small businesses accounting for more than 99% of all businesses in the state, the state government of Missouri focuses on creating a business-friendly environment where entrepreneurs can prosper.
You can find a wealth of resources covering business formation and operation on the State of Missouri government website.
This website assists small and medium-sized Missouri businesses with:
- Starting a business
- Taxes
- Workforce
- Choosing a legal business structure. Many coffee shops operate as sole proprietorships or limited liability corporations (LLCs).
- Getting a business license and various other licenses and permits, including local health department licenses for food establishments.
The Missouri Small Business Development Center also assists entrepreneurs who want to start or grow a small business. Experienced business professionals offer management advice, financial analysis, marketing support, and more.
Get a Head Start with Our Coffee Shop Startup Consultants
As a coffee roaster and coffee business consultant, Crimson Cup believes our company only succeeds when our customers do.
As a result, we support coffee shop owners at every step, from concept through opening day and beyond.
A one-stop shop for independent coffee shops, Crimson Cup supplies award-winning coffee and industry-leading coffee shop equipment and supplies.
Based on the book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-Sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee by Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert, our program covers everything business owners need to run profitable coffee shops:
- Writing a sound business plan
- Choosing a terrific location
- Calculating startup and operating costs
- Designing an efficient shop layout
- Choosing an espresso machine and other coffee shop equipment
- Training your baristas
- Marketing your shop to attract customers
- And much more.
Backed by over 30 years of specialty coffee know-how, our 7 Steps to Success program has taught hundreds of entrepreneurs in over 30 states how to open and run successful independent coffee shops. We love small businesses.
We believe that small businesses build communities in ways that big businesses can’t and that being part of a community can be the most rewarding part of independent business ownership.
To learn more about how members of our community became successful in their communities, check out our testimonials.
Missouri Coffee Shop Owners Recommend the 7 Steps to Success
Our coffee shop customers in Missouri say they saved time and money and grew their coffee business faster by following our 7 Steps to Success.
But don’t take our word for it. Hear what our customers think about working with Crimson Cup.
Orange Couch Coffee House, Eureka, Missouri – Founded 2020
The atmosphere in Eureka, Missouri is more “friendly” these days, thanks to the Orange Couch Coffee House at 98 Legends Parkways.
Local resident Maggie Schamber modeled her Orange Couch Coffee House on Central Perk, a favorite fictional hangout of characters in the sitcom “Friends.”
Living up to its name, her shop features a replica of the iconic orange couch seen in the show’s original opening credits.
Schamber said she designed her store to have a Central Perk vibe. “I want people to feel that the place is cozy and welcoming,” she said.
A Three-Year Journey to a Lifelong Dream
Like many entrepreneurs, Maggie had been dreaming of opening a coffee shop for years.
Yet, although she loved coffee, Maggie knew she had a lot to learn. In researching how to open a coffee shop, she came across Crimson Cup.
“After reading the 7 Steps book and touring the Crimson Cup Innovation Lab in Columbus, I felt I had a good chance of succeeding with their guidance,” she said.
From concept to opening, developing the Orange Couch Coffee House took over three years. Crimson Cup was there every step of the way.
“My 7 Steps Trainer, Steve Bayless, is so friendly, accessible and knowledgeable,” Maggie said. “He answers the phone on the weekend.
“Crimson Cup cares, not just about their owners but also their farmers.”
The coffee, roasted by Crimson Cup, has won a devoted following among Eureka coffee lovers.
“Truly one of the best lattes I’ve had in a long time – I am still talking about it nearly a week later!” wrote one Google reviewer.
“The flavor of the espresso came through, and the sweetness of the caramel wasn’t overpowering. The staff was awesome and there was plenty of room to set up and work, with a few outdoor tables as well.”
Crazy Llama Coffee in Webb City, Missouri – Founded 2018
Randy and Stephanie Miller and their team opened their Crazy Llama Coffee shop in Webb City, Missouri in 2018.
“We saw a big need and a big void for a great coffee shop in the Northern Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junction area of Missouri,” Randy said.
“However, neither of us had coffee experience. To be successful, we knew we needed to find a great coffee supplier that would be a big hit with customers.”
The Journey from Naval Officers to Coffee Shop Owners
Before deciding to open a coffee shop, Randy and Stephanie were both officers in the U.S. Navy.
After their service careers, Randy worked as an engineer and plant manager in the manufacturing industry. Stephanie continues to work at Webb City High School.
Stephanie said they found Crimson Cup via a Google search.
“We ordered the 7 Steps book and read it the first night,” she said. “From there, we knew Crimson Cup was the right fit.”
As they worked through the 7 Steps, the couple found Step 1: Focus on the Location, most helpful in opening their coffee shop.
“Finding the right location to be successful was extremely important,” Randy said. “You only get one shot at it and it has to be right. Fortunately, we found a great location with a drive-thru in an area that had a big need for specialty coffee.”
Crimson Cup assigns a 7 Steps trainer to guide each coffee shop owner and team through a successful opening.
Following their trainer’s advice helped Crazy Llama Coffee set a Crimson Cup record for its grand opening. The team served nearly 2,000 drinks in a single day.
“We would really like to thank our team of “llamaristas” that worked their tails off to make that happen,” Stephanie said.
“They kept plugging away even when the inside line was at the door and the drive-thru line was at the parking lot entrance all day long.”
The couple credits Crimson Cup with a big contribution to their success. “Crimson Cup is part of our team,” Randy said. “The expertise they provide is invaluable. If there is ever a question, they are there to answer it in a timely manner.”
When asked for advice for aspiring coffee shop owners, Randy focused on his partnership with Crimson Cup. “Listen to the advice of Crimson Cup and don’t try to reinvent the wheel,” he said.
“They have years of success and know what they’re doing. They want you to succeed as much as you do.”
Ready to Start Your Missouri Coffee Shop Journey?
Begin by reading the book that put hundreds of other coffee shop owners across the USA on the road to success! Backed by a risk-free guarantee, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-Sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee lays out a map for opening and running a thriving coffee shop serving your local community. Inside the book, you’ll find a proven template for creating a solid coffee shop business plan, plus guidance on everything you need to get up and running.
Questions About Opening a Coffee Shop in Missouri?
We can help. Call 888-800-9224 to connect with our coffee shop startup consultants during regular business hours (Eastern time). Nights and weekends, you’re welcome to fill out this form and we’ll get back to you within one business day.