If you’re thinking about starting a coffee shop in Texas, you’ve come to the right place!
You don’t have to go it alone – or pay hefty franchise or coffee school fees.
Instead, learn how to start a thriving coffee business in Texas through our proven 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Success process.
Why listen to our advice? Crimson Cup’s experienced coffee shop startup consultants have helped Texas entrepreneurs open and grow a dozen independent coffee shops – and counting.
Owners of shops in Texas cities and towns including Andrews, Hawley, Melissa, Midland, Odessa, Olney, Roanoke, and Vernon have learned how to open a coffee shop through our 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program.
By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into coffee shop startup costs in a Texas community.
Texas is a Great Place to Open a Coffee Shop!
With fewer than eight major coffee chain locations per 100,000 residents in Texas, there’s plenty of opportunity to open and run a successful independent coffee shop in your local community.
According to a study by Zoma Sleep, Texas ranks 42nd in coffee shops per capita. The study counted 7,774 Texans for every coffee shop in the Lone Star state.
Considering that 62 percent of Americans drink an average of three cups of coffee per day, it’s safe to say there’s room for many more coffee shops in Texas.
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 25-39-year-olds.
Small Texas Cities and Towns Present Big Opportunities
With many counties in Texas underserved by major coffee chains, it might pay to consider starting a coffee shop in a small city or town outside of the major metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.
Would you like to be the result that comes up when people in your part of Texas search for “coffee near me?”
Coffee shop owners Doug and Molly Jeffreys opened The Humble Texan in Vernon, Texas in 2021 to fill their small town’s “dire need” for coffee that didn’t come from a bank lobby or fast-food joint.
“There was no third space in town for people to hang out,” Molly said. “So, we created a family-friendly place where people can get together and chat over quality coffee.”
“We couldn’t imagine opening our coffee shop without Crimson Cup!” she added. “It’s been well worth the cost for the quality of consulting and products and equipment. They offer quality for a value price.”
Many cities and towns in Texas‘ 254 counties lack a gathering place where locals can get together over a cup of coffee. Does your Texas community need an independent coffee shop? Would you like to be the result that comes up when people in your part of Texas search for “coffee near me?” Read on to learn more about how to start a coffee shop in Texas.
Texas is Open for Small Business
Home to 3 million small businesses, the State of Texas focuses on creating an environment where entrepreneurs can prosper.
You can find a wealth of resources covering all aspects of business formation and operation on the state’s economic development website.
The Governor’s Office of Small Business assists small and medium Texas businesses with:
- Starting a business.
- Choosing a legal business structure (most coffee shops operate as sole proprietorships.)
- Getting a business license and various other licenses and permits, including local health department licenses for food establishments.
- Financing your coffee business.
The Governor’s Small Business Handbook offers guidance on starting a business, writing a business plan, financing your business and more.
You can find links to more small business resources on the Texas Secretary of State website.
Get a Head Start with Our Coffee Shop Startup Experts
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 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.
Texas Coffee Shop Owners Recommend the 7 Steps to Success
Our coffee shop customers in Texas 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 a few of our customers think about working with Crimson Cup.
Cpl. Ray’s Coffee – Andrews, Midland and Odessa Texas – Founded 2007
Owners Jerry and Lonna Bevel founded the original Cpl. Ray’s Coffee in 2007 in Andrews, Texas, in dedication to their son, Cpl. Ray Bevel, after he was slain in Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, they have expanded to Midland and Odessa Texas.
“Crimson Cup’s got a great product,” Jerry said. “The customer support – product support, technical support – that they give is just unparalleled.”
Mulebarn Coffee – Hawley, Texas – Founded 2019
Owners Patti and Vance Burrow opened their coffee shop in Hawley after retiring from long careers in different industries. Patti had operated a daycare center for 30 years, while Vance worked as a diesel mechanic and mechanics supervisor.
“Patti enjoyed coffee, and it seemed like a good business to get into,” Vance said.
“Someone suggested to us that we purchase this lot and open a coffeehouse, and that’s what we did.”
An Internet search brought them to Crimson Cup.
“We were impressed with Crimson Cup’s ethics and the support the company provides,” Vance said.
“We also liked the idea that we can run our own shop and not be a ‘cookie cutter’ franchise coffee house.”
Hometown Coffee and Tea – Olney, Texas – Founded 2018
Owners Jake and Holly Bailey opened Hometown Coffee and Tea in Olney because they wanted to create a place where local residents could gather to build community.
“I am the PTO President at my daughter’s school and love getting to volunteer and see them at the same time,” Holly said.
“I really wanted to provide a place where people could come and hang out and feel like they were in a different place.”
While researching how to open a coffee shop, the Baileys discovered Crimson Cup on the Internet. “We were sold after we read Greg Ubert’s book, and then traveled to the Crimson Cup Innovation Lab in Ohio,” Holly said.
Ready to Start Your Texas Coffee Shop Journey?
Begin by reading the book that put hundreds of other coffee shop owners 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 creating a thriving business 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 Texas? We’re here to help!
Call 888-800-9224 to connect with our coffee shop consulting team during regular business hours. Nights and weekends, you’re welcome to fill out this form, and we’ll get back to you within one business day.