Want to learn how to open a coffee shop in Vermont, but aren’t sure where to start? You’ve landed on the right page.
As a budding coffee entrepreneur, you might feel overwhelmed by all the decisions you have to make, especially if you don’t have coffee industry experience.
Good news! You don’t have to go through the coffee house startup process alone – or pay hefty franchise or coffee school fees.
Instead, learn how to open and operate a profitable coffee shop in Vermont using our proven 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Startup Success process.
Our experienced coffee shop startup consulting team will guide you at every step, following the same path that over 300 other entrepreneurs in 30 states have used in creating their own coffee businesses.
Why listen to our advice? As coffee entrepreneurs, we’re dedicated to helping other entrepreneurs all over America start their own profitable coffee shops. We offer many benefits of a coffee shop franchise, without costly franchise fees or royalties.
In 1991, Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert roasted his first cup of coffee on a small roasting machine in a tiny, one-room office. Over three decades since then, our company has won major awards for coffee quality, including Roast magazine’s 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year and multiple Good Food Awards.
Ready to get started? Our consultants can help you choose a prime location, develop a strong coffee shop business plan and help you get a handle on coffee shop startup costs in your Vermont community.
But that’s just the beginning! As a one-stop shop for independent coffee house owners, we can also help you:
- Choose the right espresso machine, coffee grinders, POS system, and other equipment.
- Develop a mouthwatering menu of coffee drinks.
- Lay out your shop for maximum efficiency.
- Hire and train staff to make delicious drinks and provide superior customer services.
- Promote your shop with grassroots marketing and an engaging social media presence.
- 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.
Vermont is a Great Place to Open a Coffee Shop!
Coffee has been popular in Vermont since the early 1800s, when French and Swiss immigrants brought their caffeine habit with them. These days, there are nearly 100 independent coffee shops statewide, with the majority concentrated in Burlington. However, there is still room for growth.
Vermont ranks sixth in U.S. coffee shops per capita, according to a study by Zoma Sleep. The study counted 3,441 Vermont residents for every coffee shop in The Green Mountain 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 Vermont 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 Vermont Cities and Towns Present Big Opportunities
With many parts of Vermont underserved by major coffee chains, it might pay to consider starting a coffee shop outside of Burlington.
Quite a few cities and towns in Vermont‘s 14 counties lack a gathering place where locals can get together over a cup of coffee.
Does your Vermont community need an independent coffee shop? And would you like to be the result that comes up when people in your part of Vermont search for “coffee near me?”
Read on to learn more about how to start a coffee shop in Vermont.
Vermont is Open for Small Business!
Vermont has a long tradition of supporting small businesses. In fact, according to a 2018 study conducted by the American Express OPEN, 78 percent of Vermonters say they try to buy local at least once a week.
The Green Mountain State is home to nearly 75,000 small businesses. Over 158,228 Vermonters work in these small businesses, accounting for over 60 percent of the state’s paid workforce.
With so many employed by small businesses, the State of Vermont 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 Vermont government website. This website assists small and medium-sized Vermont 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 Vermont 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.
LaunchVT also provides mentorship and funding opportunities for cohorts of entrepreneurs working on innovative projects.
Ranked fifth in the U.S. for overall quality of life and eighth for access to startup funding, Vermont offers fertile ground for entrepreneurs.
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.
We’ve helped launch hundreds of successful coffee shops, and we know exactly what it takes to make yours a success, too.
We’re also passionate about coffee and want to help you share your passion with the world! We truly believe that there’s nothing better than a great cup of coffee and we’ll do everything in our power to help you serve up the best possible brews.
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.
Ready to Start Your Vermont Coffee Shop Journey?
Begin by reading the book that put hundreds of other coffee shop owners across the country 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 café 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 Vermont?
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.