The Coffee Franchise for Women in Business

Women in business are a growing occurrence. Once relegated to the roles of caretakers more women are stepping up to bat in recent years and discovering that we are not only excellent caretakers and tenders but also exceptional providers and business minds. Savvy women in business often follow the path of least resistance. One way to do this is to buy into a coffee franchise as a business investment.

Why would a coffee franchise appeal to women in business?

There are actually quite a few reasons that coffee franchises are appealing to women in the world of business not the least of which is the fact that a franchise offers name recognition, which can cut years of struggling to build a steady customer base off the timeline. Customers are what makes money in businesses such as a coffee franchise and name recognition often brings customers in the door much more quickly than a new business that no one has ever heard of.

Coffee franchises also offer products that many women find personally appealing. This is often one level in which women in business differ from men. Women are much less likely to go into business offering a product or service that they do not genuinely like or believe in. If a woman loves coffee this is a business that she will see as an attractive business because she knows the product, enjoys the product, and is in a position to really be able to help her customers by making appropriate suggestions to those who seem to be at a loss (personally, I'm almost always at a loss in a coffee café because there are so many wonderful goodies from which to choose).

Women in business also like the idea of coffee franchises in many instances because it presents a challenge but doesn't overwhelm. There are plenty of new and wonderful things to learn when opening a coffee franchise but the vast majority of them are pretty straightforward and not overly technical or complicated. This makes the path to ownership much more attractive to women who are less technically or mechanically inclined than the average guy and some of those who would simply rather save mechanical or technical pursuits for pleasure rather than business.

If this isn't enough however, there is always my personal favorite reason that a coffee franchise is more attractive than some of the other food centered franchises that are available for women: no frying. That's right. Most coffee franchises do not require a steady supply of greasy food to prep, prepare, and clean up. There is no pervasive scent of fried food that seeps into pores, clothes, and nasal passages. While all women will not count this is a favorite reason it is quite possible that most women will at least somewhere down the road consider it a definite plus when it comes to coffee franchise ownership. The scent of coffee is much more attractive than the scent of French fries-especially in the early hours of the morning when most coffee franchise stores are busiest.

The Appeal of the Kiosk Coffee Franchise

Many malls and shopping centers around the country have them, even some supermarkets in select areas have them as well. I'm talking about the coffee franchise kiosks. They are a great and inexpensive investment for many would be franchise owners and they provide very low overhead with a potentially high return on investment as there is almost always foot traffic in the malls and shopping centers they populate.

Why is the kiosk attractive to coffee franchise owners?

The primary reason that this particular coffee franchise is appealing is because of the extremely low start up and operational costs involved in operating a business such as this. Rather than renting a storefront or building a business in a physical location the kiosk coffee franchise has considerably lower costs involved in ownership and operational expenses.

In addition to low rent the kiosk is a small space that has low inventory. This keeps operational expenses quite low as well. This is a huge benefit for those looking to build a business with a minimal investment and relatively low capital available to invest in operational expenses.

If these reasons aren't enticing enough, there is very little equipment to buy for a coffee franchise as well. This means another lower expense. One reason is that there is limited space for additional equipment. Another reason is that there really is no need for additional equipment. These stations are great because they do a few things but do them exceptionally well. Rather than having a full storefront devoted to a wide variety of coffee flavors the kiosk offers a couple of coffee flavor options to customers. This keeps lines moving quickly and customers moving along happily.

Yet another great benefit is the fact that there is really only a need for one staff member at a time. This keeps overhead even lower and earmarks more of the income for profit. If you are going to have an active role in running your franchise business this minimizes the expenses even more. If not you still only have a real need for two or three staff members on alternating days and hours in most cases to turn a nice tidy profit.

Another expense that is eliminated with most kiosk coffee franchises are the expenses of utilities such as electricity, heat, and air conditioning that can be quite extensive in many businesses. Every penny that you can eliminate from leaving your business the better when it comes to expenses. A kiosk allows you to eliminate many of the expenses that often plague small businesses before the profits begin to take off.

If you are considering a coffee franchise as your business of choice you might want to carefully consider whether or not the idea of a kiosk coffee shop would be appealing for you. The benefits of a store such as this are great for new business owners and the pathway to profits, though slower, are ultimately greater over time with expansion and perseverance.

Pros and Cons of the Coffee Franchise

In the world of business and investing there are always pros and cons. The same holds true when it comes to investing in a coffee franchise or any other franchise for that matter. The problem is that far too few people sit down and discuss the pros and cons before jumping in with both feet. Before you make the final decision regarding your coffee franchise future it is a wise plan to take a step back and analyze the benefits and potential pitfalls of your business. The following information should help with overall pros and cons and you can add to your list with details that are specific personal preferences.

Pros of a Coffee Franchise

Excellent potential for low investment and high profits. Most coffee franchise stores have fewer overhead expenses than many retail establishments or even establishments that require a huge amount of money for cooking and storing cold and/or frozen foods. You are also looking at lower costs related to actually operating a coffee franchise with less staff than many other business ventures require.

Having a good reputation for quality, service, and consistency. Building a business is tough period. Building a business and a reputation for quality and service at the same time are tougher still. A coffee franchise eliminates the need to build a reputation if you choose wisely and will bring in profits much more quickly as a result.

Building on a solid business plan. This is invaluable to most business owners just starting out and struggling to find a foothold in the market and in the world of business. A franchise offers the benefit of their experience to new business owners and that is something that a franchise fee just doesn't cover when it comes to value.

Cons of a Coffee Franchise

Having the potential for market saturation. The coffee market is a tough business to break into. Even with an excellent name there is a great deal of competition in this particular field because of the reasons mentioned above. This means you are going to need to be aggressive in your marketing and work hard to be better than the alternatives in the area. This means you need to have a cleaner store, friendlier staff, better music, and other incentives to get more people in the door than other coffee franchise businesses in the area or seek areas that aren't already saturated with coffee cafes, houses, and stores.

You must follow the directives of the parent company. For many who have dreamed of owning their own business and being their own boss a coffee franchise, or any other franchise, is definitely not the way to go. You must follow the corporate directives in order to maintain your status as a franchise store and build upon the capital of the good name of the franchise.

This is only a small sample of potential pros and cons for franchises. You must decide which things you can live with and those you'd feel better leaving behind. Your coffee franchise, if you choose to go that route, will be a long-term commitment. Do not take that commitment lightly.

Pop Culture and the Coffee Franchise

Coffee is more than a drink these days it is a cultural phenomenon that seems to have taken the world by storm. While we aren't quite sure it exactly how it began or when it got so big, one thing is for certain: coffee is a drink that is definitely here to stay. If you are interested in beginning a business of your own, you might want to cash in on this big business (in excess of 5 billion United States Dollars per year) and the popular culture it represents.

For whatever reason the idea of a coffee franchise has grown, expanded, and evolved over the last two decades making it one of the most sought after franchise types available on the market today. Why is it so popular? The possibility of high profit for a low investment is one reason though certainly not the only reason. Investors tend to go with a product they believe in and since many Americans begin their day with a cup of coffee and drink another cup or two at some point during the day coffee promises some degree of demand on behalf of consumers.

For those planning to go into business that have done their homework it is understandable that a business like this, that has constant demand, is certainly appealing. The reason it is appealing is because all markets revolve around a system we know as supply and demand. There is typically a certain amount of demand for a product that has a limited amount of supply. The shortage of supply sets the price and the fills the demand (to some degree).

With the coffee franchise there is obviously enough demand to warrant fairly hefty prices on the cups of coffee that are served. This means that the market is not yet saturated beyond the capacity to entertain a few more contenders in most location (though some are arguably pretty well saturated with coffee franchises you'll have to decide for yourself whether the area you are considering can handle an additional coffee franchise store).

Higher profit potential for hard work and effort is appealing to those considering opening a franchise store of any sort. Coffee often offers this allure. As far as pop culture goes, you will find coffee kiosks, vending machines, and cafes almost anywhere these days. Even hospitals are beginning to offer gourmet coffee centers for visitors. In other words coffee is becoming more and more a way of life in the United States than yet another example of popular culture.

The joys of a great cup of gourmet coffee are no longer reserved for the rich and famous. In addition to that, we are seeing a much younger generation experiencing the thrill of the caffeine and chocolate buzz that is often the result of a perfect cup of coffee. The popularity of coffee is fueling growth in an industry that shows no signs of slowing down, much less stopping. Are you ready to take your coffee franchise on that ride?