If you want to learn how to open a coffee shop in the state of Nebraska, 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 Nebraska 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.
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 Nebraska 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!
Nebraska is a Terrific State to Open a Coffee Shop!
With just 14 major coffee chain locations per 100,000 residents in Nebraska, there’s plenty of opportunity to open and run a successful independent coffee shop in your local community.
Nebraska ranks 37th in overall coffee shops per capita, according to a study by Zoma Sleep. The study counted 7,041 Nebraska residents for every coffee shop in The Cornhusker 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska Cities and Towns Present Big Opportunities
With many parts of Nebraska underserved by major coffee chains, it might pay to consider starting a coffee shop outside the largest cities of Lincoln and Omaha.
Many cities and towns in Nebraska’s 93 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 Nebraska search for “coffee near me?” Read on to learn more about how to start a coffee shop in Nebraska.
Nebraska is open for Small Business
Ranked second for ease of doing business and second for startup early survival rate in the United States, Nebraska is a great place to open a coffee shop!
Home to more than 151,000 small businesses accounting for nearly half of all jobs in the state, the state government of Nebraska 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 Nebraska government website.
This website assists small and medium-sized Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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.
Nebraska Coffee Shop Owner Recommends the 7 Steps to Success
Our coffee shop customers 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 how one Nebraska coffee shop owner is planning to open a third location within five years.
The Broken Mug Coffee Shop, Columbus, Nebraska – Established 2017
A lifelong coffee lover, Mandy Tuls wanted to own a business with a great atmosphere and lots of customer interactions.
In 2017, she and husband Todd Tuls opened The Broken Mug in Columbus, Nebraska through our 7 Steps to Success program.
Since then, the coffee shop at 2800 22nd Avenue has become a gathering place for local coffee lovers.
“We are the only locally owned coffee shop in our town,” Mandy said. “We are also the only coffee shop that delivers drinks and food items.”
The shop serves a full menu of hot, iced and frozen espresso drinks – including mochas, lattes and cappuccinos – as well as iced coffee and tea, cold-brewed coffee, hot chocolate, fruit smoothies and other custom drinks. Ice cream, pastries and sandwiches round out the menu.
Over the past few years, the food menu has evolved to include a wider assortment of luncheon sandwiches.
“I really listened to 7 Steps Project Manager and Trainer Steve Bayless when he said start off simple, don’t add food yet,” Mandy said.
“You can have a couple of bakery items, but really concentrate on the drinks first and make sure you are consistent and comfortable before adding other items to your menu.”
Growing by Adapting to Customer Needs
With Crimson Cup’s guidance, Tuls has continually adapted and grown her business to meet customer needs.
“Molding to what your community wants is key,” she said. “Two years ago, we added delivery. A year ago, we added a drive-thru because that’s what our community needed during Covid.”
To keep up with customer demand, she added a coffee trolley called the Mini Mug across the parking lot from The Broken Mug.
In 2023, she plans to open a third location at 2200 28th Avenue inside the new Columbus library.
Benefits of Coffee Shop Ownership
After over five years, Tuls revels in the freedom of making decisions on her own and with her team.
“I love encouraging and lifting up each of my team members,” she said. “I also love letting my staff explore fun and new drink recipes and then featuring their drinks. Each team member is unique, and I love seeing what dynamics they add to our team.”
Asked for advice to other coffee entrepreneurs, she said:
“Don’t Overthink it. Just do it! Crimson Cup is always there to help with all aspects of my business from start-up, hiring, adjusting my prices through the years, equipment and other questions I have.”
“They start you on a path that will deliver success as long as you really follow what they say,” she added. “I did and look at me now! I’m opening my third location in 2023, and I won’t need a business loan to complete it.”
Visit the Broken Mug and Mini Mug
Mandy and Todd Tuls invite everyone in Columbus and Platte County to visit The Broken Mug and Mini Mug. For details on hours, events and the new Columbus Library location, visit the shop’s Facebook page. You can also visit the Mini Mug Facebook page.
Ready to Start Your Nebraska 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 communit
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 Nebraska?
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.