How to Start a Pop-Up Coffee Shop

Start a Pop-Up Espresso Business

How to Start a Pop-Up Coffee Shop

How to Start a Pop-Up Espresso Business

If you want to sell coffee but are intimidated by the startup costs associated with it, you still have various great low-cost coffee business opportunities to choose from. Among them is starting a pop-up coffee shop.

In addition to saving money, low-cost coffee businesses like pop-up coffee shops, have several benefits.

First, they allow you to develop your coffee brand affordably and locally. Your coffee brand recognition is essential before starting a larger coffee business, such as a brick-and-mortar coffee shop or a drive-thru espresso stand.

Second, they help you better understand your target market. Researching the trend in your target market is a process of trial and error, so it’s better to start small to avoid potential losses. And third, they will enable you to gain the valuable experience you need in retail coffee before getting overwhelmed with running the big business.

In other words, your coffee business grows as you grow!

In today’s post, we will discuss setting up a pop-up coffee shop business – including crucial elements that you want to consider before you jump in the game.

While a pop-up coffee shop business might not be the perfect coffee business concept for everyone, it offers a unique way to profit and start your coffee shop.

So, if you’re intrigued, keep reading!

How to Start a Pop-Up Coffee Shop

Setup a Pop-Up Espresso Business

What is a pop-up coffee shop business?

A pop-up coffee shop is a retail coffee operation that “pops up” from place to place. Usually, the pop-up occurs where there is a specific event or where people are intended to be. The pop-up coffee shop business is highly mobile, setting up pretty much anywhere coffee is needed.

A pop-up coffee shop doesn’t require a permanent place like a café or coffee shop. All you need is a coffee truck, coffee trailer, coffee cart, portable coffee kiosk, or a drive-thru coffee stand. You can also set up your pop-up coffee shop in an unused space or simply in the street (if you have a power generator or an electrical outlet).

What do you need to start an espresso startup business?

To start a pop-up coffee shop business, you need a coffee brewer (either a small espresso machine) or a manual brewing device(s) such as Aeropress or Chemex brewers.

You will need to have a fresh supply of potable water, coffee, milk, and other supplies. You may also want to add nitro coffee and a small range of packed foods, drinks, or fruit to your pop-up coffee business.

Additionally, you need to transport your coffee equipment easily from one location to the other. Keep in mind, you might need a van or truck to transport all of your equipment and inventory easily.

Since it is understood that you need to be mobile, this would impact your choice of coffee equipment – and ultimately, the development of your coffee menu.

Equipment You May Need:

• Coffee brewing devices such as an espresso machine, pour-over device, Chemex, drip brewer, AeroPress, etc., will work.
• Coffee grinder: You need the ability to grind fresh coffee beans.
• Power: If you have any electrical devices, you need to be able to power them up.
• Water: Water is essential for making coffee.
• Essentials: Milk, cups, lids, sugar, stirrers, and napkins.
• Tent, tables, chairs

Your pop-up coffee shop menu choices

To provide a pop-up coffee shop service that appeals to your customers, you will want to know what your clients want. For example, one customer may have a business reception and want their guests to enjoy espresso and latte options. Additionally, they may ask you to have pastries, light snacks, or other finger food.

Your menu offerings will ultimately dictate your coffee equipment and other essential factors like water, power, milk, and ice. So keep that in mind as you are determining what foods to offer.

I recommend not offering a ton of choices. You don’t have to be the coffee business for everyone. Plus, your pop-up coffee shop business will have limited space, so you need to focus on the essential items. So instead, stick with a solid, simple menu and build out from there.

How to Start a Pop-Up Coffee Shop

How do you operate a pop-up coffee business?

A pop-up coffee business can be as straightforward or as complicated as you want it to be. The more simple it is, the easier it will be to get started. The more complex it is, the wider variety of offerings you will be able to provide your potential customers.

You will want to balance between having a straightforward operation to a very complex pop-up business.

For example, suppose your business is primarily based on a cart or bike. In that case, you may need to have a backup transport vehicle to carry the other items such as your inventory, water, power, cups and lids, sugar, and syrups.

Where can you operate a pop-up coffee business?

The good news about your pop-up coffee business is that you can pretty much operate anywhere there are people. However, there are important rules you will want to follow.

For example, you will most likely need proper permits to work legally. However, most of the time, you operate on someone’s private property, which means other agencies may not require a permit.

If you operate in a public space, you may need to have either city or county permits to operate at a specific spot. Additionally, if you operate on a public street, you may also need your local department of transportation permission.

You will want to check with your local county and state for specific rules on operating a mobile pop-up coffee business.

What kind of licenses and permits do you need?

To operate a food or beverage business, you need to have a business license. In the United States, business licenses are usually given through state and city agencies. Additionally, you may need to have a reseller’s permit usually purchased along with the business license.

Additionally, you may also need to have a health permit. In the United States, these health permits are granted annually by the county governing health agency. If you intend to operate in various counties, you will likely need to have health permits for each county you work. For example, if you live in Los Angeles but work in Anaheim or San Diego, you will need a permit for Orange County and San Diego counties as well.

Other important considerations for having a pop-up espresso business.

I often view having a pop-up coffee shop business as going camping. Whatever you use, you have to carry all of it with you. And whatever you bring, you have to carry back out, including trash.

Therefore, being light and efficient is key to your success. However, there are elements that you won’t be able to avoid. These include having to secure water and power. You also have to be able to bring your supplies there physically, so you need a vehicle. Even if you have an espresso cart or espresso trike, you may need a way to transport it to a location that isn’t just around the corner from where you live.

How to Start a Pop-Up Coffee Shop

Pros and Cons of Starting an Espresso Pop-up Business

Getting Your Coffee Pop-Up Coffee Shop Started

It’s a real business

While it is a small, low-cost venture, a pop-up coffee business is a real business. It should be taken seriously right from the get-go. Since it can be considered a mini-business, part-time gig, or side-hustle, it’s easy to get ahead of ourselves and not take it seriously. When in fact, a pop-up espresso business can bring in significant revenue. It requires proficient business management, marketing, planning, and execution.

Write a business plan

To plan out your pop-up coffee shop business, it would be best to write down your thoughts and ideas in a cohesive business plan. Your plan should contain your vision and concept, your budget, methods of operation, marketing, and sales projections, among others. To see what’s in a retail coffee business plan, consider reading, How to Start a Coffee Shop Business Plan.

Develop your budget

All of your efforts to establish a successful pop-up coffee shop business will hinge on your budget. No matter how minimal, your coffee shop budget plays an essential role in buying the necessary equipment and investing in your branding and marketing.

Develop a realistic budget based on your concept and appropriate marketing efforts. For example, you want to invest time and money in your logo, website, and uniforms. Additionally, you will also want to have a way to transport and set up your equipment for easy assembly and breakdown.

For a deeper discussion on developing your retail coffee budget, please consider reading our post, Planning Your Coffee Shop Budget.

Create a coffee brand

As we mentioned above, you will want to create a budget that includes money to develop your pop-up espresso brand. Since you may not have a particular location, your brand will need customers to identify you.

Even if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar coffee operation, you can still develop a cohesive brand that includes your name, coffee logo, possible uniforms or aprons, use of color, menu board, website, coffee equipment, and cart aesthetics.

Develop a marketing strategy

Your pop-up coffee shop marketing strategy will play a key role in your success. Your business will never take off if you are solely dependent on word-of-mouth referrals. Therefore, as you work on setting up your business, you need to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy.

To succeed at your marketing strategy, you need to know who your target market is and where they can be reached. Additionally, you need to know what makes you unique. In business lingo, we call this your Unique Sales Proposition – or USP.

You want to promote your USP to your target market.

Of course, you will want to have a social media account, which is the quickest and most effective way to spread the word about your business. But you will also want to have a website, make physical business cards, put up advertisements on community boards, etc.

Plan for growth

It’s perfectly fine to set up a pop-up coffee shop business at first, then to build it into a more significant, profitable venture. After some success and experience, you might want to leverage your expertise and determine how you can grow your business.

For example, you may want to expand your operation to have two separate “teams” or pop-up coffee stands. In addition, you may consider moving up to have a mobile coffee business with a vehicle.

Alternatively, you may be interested in setting up a drive-thru coffee shop, brick-and-mortar business, or even piggyback on another existing business.

For more information on piggybacking on an existing business, please read, Low-Cost Coffee Business Ideas.

Consider planning for growth right from the beginning. Your long-term projections will help you better position yourself and make better short-term decisions.

How to Start a Pop-up Coffee Shop Business

How to Start a Pop-up Coffee Shop Business

Related Questions:

Is having a pop-up coffee shop business profitable?

Yes! Having a pop-up coffee shop business can be profitable. However, you will need to develop your revenue as any other new business. For example, a new coffee shop business won’t be making its peak revenue for some time into the future. Therefore, you have to develop into maximizing your potential.

With that said, profitability is often planned. But, first, create a plan for revenue growth, whether this means working more events, charging more money, or getting more individual sales.

Could I start a coffee shop and an espresso pop-up?

Yes! If you already have a coffee shop or other retail coffee business – such as a drive-thru coffee shop – you may also add a pop-up coffee shop side business to your retail coffee operation. This will significantly decrease your coffee pop-up costs – because you have already established vendors contracts, and you can use your coffee shop as a commissary.

Additionally, a pop-up coffee shop business will help to promote your brand, increase your sales, and allow you to generate more income. Additionally, if you were a coffee roaster or sell coffee online, you may also seriously expand your online operation to a pop-up coffee business.

Are You Ready To Get Started?

Unlock Your Dream Coffee Shop Business with Our Exclusive Coffee Shop Startups Kit!

Ready to transform your passion for coffee into a thriving business? Look no further! Our Coffee Shop Startups Kit is your key to brewing success. Here's why you can't miss this opportunity:

35-Lecture Coffee Shop Business Course: Our kit provides a comprehensive A-to-Z lecture series that covers what you should know and how to plan your coffee business. No more guesswork – follow our proven roadmap for success.

Comprehensive Coffee Shop Business Guide: Our kit includes a detailed, step-by-step guide that takes you from creating your concept to your grand opening.

Expert Interviews and Insights: Benefit from insider tips and industry secrets that successful coffee shop owners and experts share during one-on-one interviews. Learn from the best to stay ahead of the competition.

 Business Essentials: We provide business plan templates, checklists, and resources to streamline your startup process. From permits to menu planning, we've got you covered.

Cost-effective Solutions: Save time and money with our expert advice and budgeting tips. Maximize your ROI and minimize headaches.

 Adaptable to Any Setting: Our kit is designed to suit various locations and customer demographics, whether you're eyeing a trendy urban spot or a cozy corner in a suburban neighborhood.

Includes Exclusive BONUS Material!

👉 Order Now and Begin Your Journey!

Don't let the complexities of starting a coffee shop overwhelm you. Our Coffee Shop Startups Kit is your ticket to entrepreneurial success. Take the first step towards owning a profitable and fulfilling coffee business today.

Join the thousands of successful coffee entrepreneurs who started with a dream and a great plan. Your journey to coffee shop greatness begins right here!

Comprehensive. Proven. Affordable.

The Complete Coffee Shop Startup Kit

(Instantly Delivered To You)

Coffee Shop Startups

Based in Seattle, Washington, USA, Coffee Shop Startups is dedicated to providing you with the most relevant information on how to start a coffee shop business successfully. Over the last 11 years, we've helped thousands of aspiring coffee business owners worldwide. We harness the experience, wisdom, and knowledge of many successful coffee shop owners to help you increase your chances of success and profits. We support business owners who want to start a coffee business by providing them with valuable information on starting their coffee business successfully.