For start-up entrepreneurs who are thinking about a business without significant costs and with a quick payback period, opening a summer cafe can be a promising option. The period of operation of such an institution is short - from May to September, but the investments are small. Knowing the peculiarities of organizing such a business and having a competent plan is already half the battle. If you have such advantages, feel free to open your own business and get ready to make a good profit.
How to open a summer cafe: general questions
Opening a summer cafe is the easiest option for starting a catering business that does not require significant initial costs or extensive entrepreneurial experience. The main thing is to study all the requirements for the placement of such establishments, prepare the necessary package of documents in a timely manner and select a place with a large client flow.
The period of operation of summer cafes in Russia is short - from May to September, but even this time is enough to, in a successful scenario, not only recoup all investments, but also get an acceptable profit.
Not every businessman manages to open a summer cafe that brings a stable profit during the seasonDocuments and permissions for opening an institution
The most difficult stage in organizing a summer cafe is the preparation and approval of the necessary documents. You should start dealing with this issue back in November, then by May you will have time to complete the preparatory activities and already during the May holidays you will start earning money.
First, you need to decide on the form of a legal entity and the procedure for taxation. Most entrepreneurs recommend registering as an individual entrepreneur, and in terms of the form of taxation, choose UTII (single tax on imputed income). The amount of tax paid in this case will depend on the area of the territory of the institution.
Secondly, it is necessary to resolve issues related to the registration of the location of the establishment itself. As a platform, almost any crowded place where the sale of alcohol is allowed is suitable.
If the land plot belongs to a private person or company, then after reaching agreements with the owner, it is necessary to conclude a lease agreement and start organizing the activities of the facility.
When the site is under the jurisdiction of the state authorities, you should apply to the city (municipal) property management committee with an application for the provision of a land plot. The decision to allocate a site is made on a competitive basis.
Then you have to do the following:
- Prepare documents characterizing the object of trade (area, layout, list of products sold, etc.).
- Issue licenses for the right to sell alcoholic products.
- Approve the project in the committee for the improvement of the city and the traffic police.
- Get an order to allocate a land plot (if the object is under state or municipal jurisdiction), on the basis of which you can conclude a lease agreement.
- Obtain permission from Rospotrebnadzor on compliance with all requirements for a public catering facility.
Key Aspects of a Park Cafe Business Plan
The following assumptions were used to calculate the business plan:
- a summer cafe is located in a passing place on the territory of a medium-sized city;
- from May to September the weather is favorable for full-fledged customer service on the street;
- The area of the occupied site is about 70 square meters. m., cafe capacity - 50 people.
Choice of premises and location
The choice of location is a matter of principle. It is the correct placement of the object that ultimately determines how efficiently your business will work. The most successful options for locating summer cafes are parks and recreation areas, walking places of the city (center, near railway stations, etc.).
The general criteria for choosing a cafe location are:
- patency of the place;
- availability of parking and busy roads;
- being near objects that are used by the population for recreation.
You can not place a summer cafe, if you intend to sell alcohol-containing products and beer, near schools, kindergartens, children's camps, in the premises of residential buildings.
Analysis of the market and main competitors
Statistics show that despite the negative economic trends, people are still actively visiting catering facilities. According to studies, the cost of Russians for eating out in 2016 increased by 3%. At the same time, there was a tendency for some customers to move from the expensive price segment to the cheaper one.
In the warm season, many city dwellers are happy to prefer outdoor cafes. However, in case of bad weather conditions, which is not uncommon for Russia, the client is more likely to choose the option of a closed facility - a cafe or a snack bar. Therefore, the main competitors of summer cafes can be called other similar establishments located nearby, especially if they have any competitive advantages over you, as well as stationary cafes, restaurants, snack bars, etc. If you make the right choice of cafe location and weather conditions will be favorable most of the time, then competition will not affect the efficiency of your business too much.
Inexpensive cafeterias and stationary eateries are the main competitors of summer street cafes
Point equipment and other initial investment
To open an outdoor catering facility, you will need to purchase refrigeration equipment, microwave ovens, stoves, a barbecue for cooking on an open fire, refrigerated display cases, a bar counter, a beer pouring counter, furniture for customers (tables and chairs - wooden or plastic) , fences for cafes and umbrellas or any other canopies.
Table: the cost of purchasing equipment for a cafe on the beach
For a small summer cafe with a capacity of 40-50 people, the cost of equipment and furniture will amount to 350-400 thousand rubles.
The final list of equipment depends on what kind of concept of the cafe and menu you develop.
In addition, a significant part of the costs will be the costs associated with the conduct of communications (sewerage, water supply, electricity, etc.), the construction of a stationary closed facility for the preliminary preparation of products and dishes (if necessary).
Table: initial investment in business
Thus, the total amount of initial investments will be about 1–1.5 million rubles.
Tables and chairs are not the biggest expense item, but you still have to spend money on comfortable and beautiful furniture for customers.
Selection of the right staff
For the full-fledged operation of the summer cafe (in the case of a full cycle of food production and shift work), you will need:
- manager or cafe manager;
- cooks - 2-4 people;
- waiters - at least 4 people,
- security guards (if necessary);
- forwarding driver who will be engaged in the purchase of products for the cafe. In order to save money, this function can be taken over by the manager.
Table: calculation of personnel costs
For a small institution with a maximum capacity of 50 people, the monthly cost of maintaining staff, taking into account social contributions, will be about 300 thousand rubles.
In addition to staff costs, you will have to pay other fixed costs: for renting a land plot, utilities, taxes.
Hire only professionals to work in a summer cafe, then your business will surely be profitable
Cafe concept development
The most popular and profitable option for opening a summer cafe can be an establishment that offers its customers dishes cooked on an open fire, as well as beer and alcohol-containing products.
The main client audience: persons from 18 to 45 years old, 50/50% - men and women, mostly single, single or coupled, with an average income level or below average.
Menu and assortment of barbecue
For this concept, the following menu option would be optimal:
- dishes cooked on an open fire: barbecue from different types of meat, meat, fish and vegetables on the grill;
- a variety of side dishes: french fries, vegetables, salads;
- snacks for beer: nuts, chips, meat snacks, cheese, crackers, etc.;
- beer and other alcohol.
When developing a pricing policy, keep in mind that the target audience will consist mainly of the population with an average or low income, so the average check per client should not exceed an average of 500-600 rubles.
The maximum attendance of the cafe is expected in the evenings and on weekends. For an establishment with 50 seats and an approximate occupancy rate of 70% in the evening, the average number of visitors per day will be about 130 people, or 3900 people per month.
With an average check of 500 rubles per client, the monthly revenue will be about 1,950 thousand rubles.
Citizens with average incomes and poor tourists are the main visitors to summer cafes
Drawing up a financial plan
If you have calculated the approximate level of income and estimated the costs, then it is not difficult to calculate the amount of profit.
Table: calculation of the monthly profit of a summer cafe
Given that the facility will operate for about 5 months a year, the calculation of business efficiency will be carried out during this time.
Table: point efficiency
Calculations show that by opening a small summer cafe, you can recoup all investments within 2 months after the start of work.
Video: business plan for opening a summer cafe
The main risks and nuances of a seasonal business
The main drawback of the business associated with the organization of a summer cafe is its seasonality. The institution will operate for about 5 months a year. Additional risk factors are potentially adverse weather conditions, as well as the wrong location of the cafe.
Designed to keep customers out of the wind and rain so you don't lose income even on days when the weather is bad
Accordingly, if you correctly approach the choice of location, you can significantly reduce the risks. To reduce the negative impact of the factor of adverse weather conditions, special umbrellas from rain and sun, enclosing structures from the wind, prefabricated temporary structures that allow you to form an enclosed space of the cafe, protecting visitors from rain, wind or cold, will help.
If you decide to open a summer cafe, remember that you don’t have much time to work off your investments and get the required profit. Therefore, start preparing in advance to make the most of all the opportunities. The main factor in the success of the business will be the correct choice of the location of the object, as well as the quality of the food and service provided. In the future, the experience of organizing a summer cafe will help you organize a more serious catering project, for example, opening a restaurant or cafe.
Placement of a seasonal (summer) cafe, regulated by Decree No. 102-PP of 03/06/2015
Decree No. 102-PP
Is your cafe included in the deployment?
First, you need to find out if the restaurant is included in the layout of non-stationary seasonal facilities. Check if the address of your cafe or restaurant is included in the layout of seasonal cafes. For example, if there was another restaurant at this address, the previous owner of which submitted documents for approval of a site for a summer cafe, or you know that the veranda was in accordance with the law, then you, as a new owner, just need to submit your package of documents and a project for a summer cafe to approve this territory to its own legal entity.
There is another option - you want to get a large area for summer cafe verandas or considering an additional site for a seasonal cafe, you can collect the necessary package of documents, develop a project for a new area and submit it for approval. Examples for summer cafe placement
Summer cafe location season
Where can you place a summer cafe or what can serve as a playground?
Now let's find out where install a summer cafe and how to choose a platform for it.
Sidewalk
The simplest and most standard is to place summer cafe on the sidewalk, along the facade of the building in which the restaurant is located. An outdoor cafe should be adjacent to a stationary catering facility or stand at a distance, but not more than 5 meters, from the entrance group in a straight line. We draw your attention to the fact that if you have an entrance with steps, a porch, then this distance is measured from the last step to the summer platform.
Important! When equipping a summer cafe on the sidewalk, it is necessary to leave a passage for pedestrians. This distance is calculated according to the type of street where the summer cafe is planned to be located.
Maria Andreeva
Lawn
Very often, the lawn is not even considered as a platform for a summer cafe. But it is possible. Placing a summer cafe on the lawn allowed only with the installation of technological flooring, podium. Let's consider this option in more detail. What part of the lawn can be occupied to accommodate a summer cafe. If trees and/or shrubs occupying less than 50% of the lawn area grow on the lawn, then it is possible to install a flyer, if more than 50% - then it is impossible. If there is only a lawn on the site, occupy at least the entire one, but do not forget a few important points:
- the area of the summer cafe cannot exceed the total area of the restaurant, cafe
- when arranging a summer cafe on the lawn, it is necessary to provide a wooden podium
- the veranda should not go beyond the boundaries of a stationary enterprise
Not allowed! Placement of seasonal cafes using structures (equipment) arranged around (above) trees, shrubs and leading to full or partial enclosing of their crowns, trunks directly inside the seasonal cafe.
Maria Andreeva
Roof
Maybe you are on the top floor of the building and you have direct access to the roof, which offers a stunning view of the capital? Do you think it is possible to put a veranda? We answer - if according to the documents the roof is operated and the building is not residential, then installation of a summer cafe on the roof possible!
Territory of business centers and shopping and entertainment centers
If your restaurant, cafe is located on the territory of a business center or shopping center, you can place the veranda of the restaurant on the stylobates and other open areas adjacent to them, the main thing is that your cafe has a separate entrance.
Do not forget! The summer cafe should be located at a distance of no more than 5 meters from the entrance group.
Maria Andreeva
Is the restaurant or cafe not on the ground floor?
If a stationary catering establishment is located in the basement of a building or located above the first floor, for example, on the second floor of a non-residential building. Install a summer terrace for a restaurant perhaps in case you have a separate exit to the street.
Do not forget!
- Place boundaries placement of a seasonal cafe should not violate the rights of owners and users of neighboring premises. The summer cafe should be located clearly within the boundaries of the restaurant. These boundaries are visible on the plans of the BTI, which are attached to the lease agreement for the premises.
- The area of the summer cafe cannot exceed the total area of the restaurant, cafe.
- If there are several catering establishments in the same building, then the outer border of your veranda should not go beyond the borders of the already established verandas of neighboring cafes and restaurants. At the same time, summer verandas of restaurants should be decorated in the same style.Maria Andreeva
Environmental factors that influence the placement of a summer cafe
Public transport stops, pedestrian underpasses, subway technical facilities, station lobbies and subway pedestrian underpasses. In the presence of these factors, it is necessary to observe a certain distance from these elements to the boundaries of the summer cafe. Otherwise, when planning summer cafe placement, it is necessary to calculate the distance for the passage of pedestrians in accordance with SNiP 2.07.01-89 * Urban planning. Planning and development of urban and rural settlements.
Elements of urban improvement
These include city lighting masts, bins, bicycle parking, flower beds, benches, etc. When planning the placement of a summer cafe in areas near which these elements are located, it is necessary to provide a passage for pedestrians. The streets and roads of the capital are divided into categories: streets and roads of main and local significance, as well as main streets. Depending on the category of the street where the summer cafe is planned to be located, the distance for the passage of pedestrians will be calculated in accordance with SNiP 2.07.01-89* Urban planning. Planning and development of urban and rural settlements, p. 6 "Network of streets and roads."
Types of summer cafes
Let's talk about the "formats" of the summer cafe. Of the standard ones, these are typical and individual summer cafes. Typical "summers" include sites that are equipped with such equipment as: umbrellas with a side, central support, multi-dome umbrellas, a retractable elbow awning, pergola.
Individual summer cafes are quickly erected collapsible structures. For example, this is a metal frame erected from metal pipes of various sections, a wooden frame, trusses.
Since May 2016, a new format of summer cafes has appeared in the capital - a compact cafe. A narrow sidewalk, it would seem that it is simply not possible to put up a summer cafe, but it is this format of summer cafes that allows restaurants to carry out their plans.
Arrangement of a summer cafe
What is a summer cafe, where to put it and what types of summer cafes are, figured out. Now consider options for arranging summer verandas.
Rules for arranging a summer cafe of a standard format
As summer cafe equipment can be used:
- umbrellas with central support
- umbrellas with side support
- multi-dome umbrellas
- retractable awnings with fastening on the facade
- retractable awnings with fastening on metal supports, one-sided, two-sided
- single-slope, double-slope, wall-mounted or free-standing pergola
Important! In terms of height, this equipment cannot be located higher than the 1st floor of the building (floors between the 1st and 2nd floors).
Maria Andreeva
Arrangement of a summer cafe with a pergola
To preserve the architectural details of the building, it is forbidden to attach the pergola awning to the facade! It is impossible to partially or completely block the decorative architectural elements of the facade of the building with a pergola! Pergola supports should not block the window openings of the room to which it adjoins. The step between the supports cannot be more than 6 meters.
Important! Inside the Garden Ring and on its outer side, the placement of a pergola awning is not allowed, with the exception of areas located outside the road network.
Maria Andreeva
Different types of equipment may be used in the same area. This equipment can be mounted both on the existing coating (asphalt, tiles) with the equipment fastened to a depth of not more than 30 cm, and on the technological flooring (podium) on a temporary basis.
A wooden podium is acceptable for:
- placing a summer cafe on the lawn
- in the presence of a slope of the territory more than 3%
- in order to preserve fixtures and equipment from external factors;
- for wiring electrical cables for fire safety purposes;
- to drain water from the surface of the sidewalk;
- in the event that the territory provided for a seasonal cafe has a damaged sidewalk surface.
Summer cafe of an individual format
This format includes collapsible metal and wooden structures. A structure that consists of supporting posts along the perimeter, a roof frame in the form of guides, rails or trusses. Roof frame covering synthetic fabric (polyester). As a rule, a structure of this type is mounted on a wooden podium on a temporary basis and a fence with a height of at least 60 cm and not more than 90 cm is organized around the perimeter. A collapsible structure, as well as all summer verandas located on the podium, should provide free access , namely, be equipped with a ladder, ramp, handrails, special signs for the visually impaired and people with limited mobility.
Important! The width of the stairs, the ramp must be at least 90 cm, the maximum slope of the ramp is not more than 5%.
It is permissible to use an attached (removable) ramp.Maria Andreeva
Rules for arranging a compact summer cafe
Fencing and decorative elements for a summer cafe
For fencing a summer cafe, you can use:
- wooden and metal fences from 60-90 cm high
- floor containers for gardening from 35-90 cm high
- hanging containers for landscaping
- tapestries with a height of not more than 150 cm.
- Adjustable screens with a height of not more than 90 cm in the assembled state, no more than 180 cm in the disassembled state.
Important! The fence for a summer cafe should not be “deaf”. It is forbidden to use inventory metal fencing.
Maria Andreeva
Fencing for a seasonal cafe, does not have to consist of boards, pallets, forged products, balusters, barrels, shutters, curly cutting can also be used. The use of tapestries as a decorative fence or decor gives the summer veranda additional comfort, security, as it can be 1.5 m high, and its interesting shape can give a “zest” to your cafe.
Adjustable Screens
Important! The structures of this fence must be made of rigid sections fastened together by elements that ensure their stability.
Maria Andreeva
Trellis
Important! The trellis must have a massive base or distribution plates to ensure stability. You can also use a massive landscaping container to ensure stability.
Maria Andreeva
fencing
Important! Decorative fences with corner sections must be securely fastened together.
Maria Andreeva
Containers for gardening
Important!
- Containers for landscaping must be stable
- The floor container must not have legs (on a solid base)
- Hanging containers, as well as floor containers, should not go beyond the border of the summer cafe site
- The height of the decorative fence with hanging containers placed on them should not exceed 90 cm.Maria Andreeva
Podium - technological flooring
When designing a wooden flooring, be sure to provide a staircase with a width of at least 90 cm. The staircase must be located inside the podium, not go beyond the boundaries of the summer cafe. Pay special attention to the requirements for people with limited mobility, namely a ramp with a width of at least 90 cm, for wheelchair users, it can be either built-in or removable (attached), handrails, signal markings and tactile indicators for the visually impaired.
Important! The height of the podium cannot exceed 45 cm. If the territory on which the summer cafe is planned to be located has a slope, when leveling it, the height of the flooring at the top point is more than 45 cm, then it is necessary to organize an intermediate step or several steps.
Maria Andreeva
Lettering and logos
Advertising is prohibited. But as for the brand name, logo and name of the cafe or restaurant to which the summer cafe belongs, this is possible. Therefore, boldly apply the logo or the name of the cafe on the fence, containers for gardening, on awnings and umbrellas. But do not forget to follow certain rules, namely:
- logo (trademark) no more than 30 cm.
- an inscription (name) not more than 20 cm high.
The colors of the roof of the summer cafe according to Decree No. 102-PP
At arrangement of a summer (seasonal) cafe, you can use only those colors that are described in the Decree of the Government of Moscow No. 102-PP of 03/06/2015. Permissible color numbers are presented from the catalog of the NCS Beckers Color System palette for roofing umbrellas, awnings, prefabricated structures. Each of the colors can be used alone or in combination with other colors, alternating them in the form of a strip. Examples of NCS Beckers Color System Color Numbers
NCS code decoding table and suitable RAL color
Color sample and most suitable RAL number | NCS(S) | CMYK | RGB |
---|---|---|---|
RAL 3009 | 6020-Y90R | 0 58 35 70 | 92 50 51 |
RAL 3020 | 1580-Y90R | 0 100 85 15 | 189 7 33 |
RAL 2004 | 1070-Y70R | 0 81 79 0 | 236 75 48 |
RAL 1033 | 0580-Y30R | 0 55 100 0 | 240 132 0 |
RAL 1018 | 0530-Y20R | 0 21 60 0 | 255 209 122 |
RAL 1003 | 2502-Y | 0 0 10 33 | 184 183 173 |
RAL 1016 | 0540-Y | 0 3 70 0 | 254 230 107 |
RAL 6010 | 3050-G70Y | 20 0 92 47 | 130 135 0 |
RAL 6011 | 4020-G50Y | 20 0 50 48 | 124 134 91 |
RAL 6005 | 5040-B90G | 100 0 80 60 | 0 81 52 |
RAL 6000 | 6010-G10Y | 35 0 40 65 | 76 95 76 |
RAL 5019 | 5040-B10G | 92 0 15 70 | 0 70 85 |
RAL 9001 | 1002-G | 5 0 8 5 | 235 240 231 |
RAL 1019 | 6500-N | 0 2 5 65 | 109 109 107 |
Summer cafe with allowed colors of the roof, umbrellas, collapsible design
With the advent of hot summer days, the need for special summer establishments increases. A mug of cold beer in the fresh air, in the coolness of a summer cafe, is much more pleasant than a similar mug drunk in a familiar stuffy room. You still do not know how to open a summer cafe and what you need for this? For you, we will analyze this topic using the example of a business plan.
When opening a summer project, it is necessary to take into account its seasonality; the cafe works from May to the end of September. The costs of opening a business are small, and the profits received can be a help for starting a new type of activity - a stationary institution, a club, a restaurant.
How to open a summer cafe - business plan
So, let's consider a free ready-made example of a business plan for a summer cafe for opening this establishment.
Description of the enterprise
The form of organization for a summer cafe is an individual entrepreneur (IP), taxation is UTII. Preparing permits is the most difficult part of the process when opening such a business. The collection of documents is a long process and entrepreneurs begin long before the start of the season - from November.
It is necessary to perform a series of actions in a certain sequence:
- choice of location;
- coordination of the location of the summer cafe in the district administration, (in the land department);
- creation of a sketch of the project of the future summer cafe;
- coordination of the project in the commodity market committee of the city administration;
- coordination in the Main Department of Urban Planning and Architecture;
- approval in the beautification committee;
- in some cases, coordination with the traffic police will be required;
- filing an application to the district administration (land department) for the use of the site;
- filing with the mayor.
After consideration of the application by the administration commission, it will be transferred to the city authorities. When the signatures of four departments are collected, the right to receive a plot will appear and it is possible to conclude a contract for the lease of land. And, finally, at the same time, it will be necessary to coordinate the assortment in Rospotrebnadzor and obtain its permission to trade.
Range of services
Our summer cafe business plan provides for the following range of services:
- non-alcoholic, low-alcohol drinks;
- cold snacks, salads;
- bakery;
- nuts, chips, fish for beer;
- tobacco products.
You can organize daily karaoke and small concerts of musicians on certain days.
Market analysis
Analysis is necessary to find the optimal location for a summer cafe. When starting a business, the key factor is not the prices and assortment, but the convenient location for visitors. Places of rest and walks of people are the best for summer cafes. They can be parks, squares, embankments, various places of interest.
Production plan
Location selection criteria:
- visibility;
- parking;
- availability of busy roads.
The ideal location for a summer cafe is train stations and crowded places on the main streets. Here, the payback of a summer cafe is much higher than in quiet residential areas.
The sketch of the project should be carried out taking into account the recommendations given by the city administration. The wishes of the authorities may also relate to the assortment, interior, landscaping of the adjacent territory, form of service, facade design.
Designs used: standard or custom-made. The cheapest furniture is plastic. For hot meals, you can install a trailer. A summer cafe must have a mandatory set: refrigerators, a bar counter, a refrigerated table display case, a beer pouring rack, etc.
Financial plan
Expenses, in thousand rubles: 400-500.
The income of a summer cafe depends on many factors, and if they are used successfully, the profit can reach one million rubles. Thus, the investment pays off in one season of operation, and at the same time, a significant amount of net profit remains.
With the arrival of a warm season, more and more people prefer to relax in the fresh air, which means that summer cafes are popular. Quench your thirst, drink beer with friends or have a sandwich or pizza - all this can be done in a summer cafe, which is why demand in this segment always exceeds supply. Opening a summer cafe is not so difficult, but before that you need to research the market and take into account all the risks.
Even beginners can try their hand at the summer cafe business, since this project does not require any special knowledge or equipment.
Registration and clearance
First you need to register an individual entrepreneur and open a bank account. For outdoor cafes, a permit is required, which is obtained from the relevant department of local authorities. Such permission is taken precisely for the period when the cafe will work. Such a resolution will cost about 150-200 USD. per month.
After that, you need to visit the sanitary and epidemiological station for permission to open a cafe. Permission to operate will cost a certain amount of the receipt (about 100 USD) and a certain amount of "gratitude". All of the above actions require an already concluded lease agreement for a suitable premises.
To start the cafe in different instances, you must provide the following package of documents:
- Rental agreement for premises
- Sanitary Permit
- Characteristics of the object of trade
- Shipping documents
- Detailed product range
- When selling stronger drinks, you will also need a special license.
It should be borne in mind that it may take several months to collect all the necessary documents, so it is better to start this process in advance.
Location and premises
Judging by the purpose of a summer cafe, the best place for it is a lively park, places near attractions, embankments and beaches. In the sleeping areas there are also summer cafes, but the attendance in them is low.
For a summer cafe, you will need a pavilion and large tent umbrellas. Now everything you need can often be obtained from brewing companies and their distributors. Tents and umbrellas, furniture and even some equipment can be obtained free of charge, that is, for temporary use. It is necessary to search for a supplier in advance - already in winter or, as a last resort, in early spring. But you should go to the brewers only after you already have official permission from the authorities. In addition, it should be remembered that in this case the owner of a summer cafe cannot trade in competitors' beer.
If it was not possible to get a free pavilion, then you will have to pay about 700 USD for it. (for a standard design) and about a thousand conventional units when developing an individual design. It can take about a month to make a pavilion, so it is also necessary to deal with equipment in advance. Usually, when choosing a pavilion, they immediately choose furniture, a bar counter, shelving and other equipment made in the same style.
Since a summer cafe is a temporary type of trade, it is necessary to think over in advance the issue of storing tents and pavilions during the non-working period. If there is free space, you can leave it all with you, but since the equipment wears out by an average of 30% per year, you won’t be able to use all of the above for more than three years.
Equipment
The approximate cost of equipment for a summer cafe is 7-12 thousand USD.
In addition to drinks in summer cafes, people also treat themselves to simple dishes, and it is necessary to select technological equipment for the chosen menu. If you want to include fresh frozen puff pastry on the menu, you will need to purchase a convection oven, proofer, etc. For barbecue, you need a brazier or a barbecue grill, for storing ready-made meals you need a refrigerator or vice versa a heating cabinet.
The list of equipment for a cafe with drinks, several main courses and snacks looks like this:
- fryer
- Plate
- Oven
- Microwave
- Cooling chamber.
Also, in addition to this equipment, you will need a cutting table made of stainless steel. You may need several of these tables. On average, they spend at least $300 on various kitchen utensils.
It is also necessary to equip a hall for visitors. Of course, you need tables and chairs. They can be plastic, aluminum, or a combination of metal and plastic. Depending on the material, their price also fluctuates. So, an aluminum table will cost about 60 USD, and a steel one and a half to two times more expensive. The economy option is plastic tables and chairs, but they are not very durable.
It is also necessary to purchase cutlery and crockery, and even unbreakable items are consumables. Many people use disposable tableware, in which case it is necessary to provide large garbage bags and bins.
A separate item in the arrangement of the summer cafe is a toilet. If there is a capital building nearby with the right booth, then the issue is easier to solve. If this option is not available, then a dry closet will help. The price of such toilets starts from 100 USD.
Profitability
After listing all the costs, you can begin to calculate the profitability of a summer cafe. For calculations, let's take, for example, a summer cafe with 8 tables or 32 seats, respectively. Such an establishment can sell about 100 liters of draft beer per day, with an average price of 2 USD per liter. You can also sell sugary drinks and snacks, and the average price in the price tag will be about 3 USD. When calculating, 32 seats are multiplied by the number of hours the cafe is open (despite the fact that usually a person spends about an hour at a cafe table, and 70% is subtracted from this figure - the standard form of loading). The result obtained must be multiplied by the average check amount.
So, as we can see, when all the necessary permits have been obtained, contacts have been established with suppliers, equipment has been purchased and goods have been found, a cafe can open and immediately begin to make a profit. It is also necessary to take into account such an important point as accounting for goods. In the conditions of street trading, when there is no computer and cash register, it is rather difficult to establish this process. You can get out of the situation every day at the end of the working day by reconciling the balances or checking when changing sellers. You can ask friends to periodically make test purchases in a cafe that will help identify problems. Control over trade is necessary constantly, otherwise the proceeds will begin to settle in the pockets of the bartender, and the beer will be diluted. All this will lead to a loss of reputation, which will inevitably affect profits.
Let's start with the fact that this year the moment has already been lost. To open a summer cafe for the season, you need to start collecting documents in the fall. The city authorities allow you to open a temporary catering establishment at any time from April to November inclusive. It makes sense to work all seven months: it is in spring and autumn, when the holiday season has not yet begun, that summer cafes have the most visitors. Well, if you are lucky with the weather and the spring is early, and autumn, on the contrary, is late, there will be a chance to earn money.
Before you open, you should conduct reconnaissance. You should not trust the owners of land plots and their traffic statistics. If their data is erroneous, the losses will fall on your shoulders. When choosing the format of the institution, look at what is located around. In parks and recreation areas, you cannot open a cafe or a restaurant in a high price category - the administration will not allow it. It is believed that strolling families with children need an average cafe pricing policy. In residential areas, it will also be difficult to make an expensive institution, there is a risk of getting a remark and a fine from the FAS and a requirement to lower the check.
Depending on the format of the summer cafe you choose, opening it can cost 3–7 million rubles. You can save money if you enlist the support of some brewing company, but then you will have to comply with strict assortment requirements. Most likely, it will be possible to recapture the costs for the season if you are lucky with the place.
room
The land plot for the creation of a seasonal establishment can be rented from individuals, city authorities or administrations of parks and recreation areas. The last two cases involve participation in a competition announced on one of the specialized portals. You can also follow the competitions through the websites of municipalities or parks. A certificate of registration of a legal entity, a detailed concept, including an assortment, a list of necessary equipment, an estimate of electricity costs, as well as an architectural plan, are submitted for the competition.
If you are renting land from a private owner, you still need to get permission from the local authorities. In this case, the location and plan of the cafe will have to be agreed with the district government and the city trade commission, and a short-term lease agreement will have to be provided.
If you are going to sell alcohol, consider the requirements of Rospotrebnadzor, which prohibits the sale of alcohol near children's, educational and sports facilities. It is worth exploring the area carefully, because we are talking not only about public, but also about private colleges and sports fields. Choose sites with good traffic, the ability to park your car within walking distance and with good visibility - so that the sign of the institution serves as an advertisement.
A seasonal cafe can look different. Some will prefer to put up a tonar (80,000–200,000 rubles) and trade from wheels, placing plastic tables around. Others decide to install a pavilion for the seller and equipment (up to 1 million rubles), someone wants to build a temporary structure that looks like a real permanent restaurant (the most expensive option). Sanitary supervision will not allow you to open without a toilet.
Documentation
Preparations for the opening of a seasonal cafe should be started about six months before the opening (or better, earlier). To open, you will need: a permit to place a tent or a mobile retail chain facility; a certified copy of the land lease agreement (for pavilions and kiosks); document on registration of cash register equipment. The architectural plan of the cafe must be agreed with the fire inspectorate and, in some cases, with the traffic police. You must obtain a sanitary and epidemiological conclusion (in Rospotrebnadzor, an IP is issued free of charge after passing the test, up to two months from the date of application). The same Rospotrebnadzor must issue a final permit for accommodation, confirming the permission of the municipality.
The cafe must have a complaint book and the texts of consumer protection laws and documents that regulate the activities of catering establishments. Each dish must be accompanied by a flow chart explaining the sequence of actions during cooking. Product suppliers must provide copies of the certificates of conformity at the disposal of the cafe. Each employee must have a medical book. Do not forget to conclude contracts with companies for the removal of garbage and sewage contents.
An alcohol license is issued by the Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation and costs 40,000 rubles per year for each type of alcohol (strong, wine or beer) for each retail outlet. The agency on its website introduces a long list of documents required to obtain a permit to sell alcohol. Often, entrepreneurs resort to the services of intermediaries or work without a license at all, preferring to pay a fine in case of verification.
Other expenses
Staff
Ten tables can be served by two waiters with a shift schedule, that is, at least four waiters with a salary of 30,000 rubles each will need to be hired. Even if you are not going to make a full-fledged kitchen, you will need a cook, his salary can start from 40,000 rubles. The institution must have a manager or administrator. You will also have to spend money on a cleaning lady and a dishwasher. More than 200,000 rubles can be spent on salaries per month.
Equipment
Tables, tables and umbrellas can be obtained free of charge from brewing company offices, although this will not be the most elegant equipment. A microwave oven, coffee maker, refrigerators and dishes together can cost about 1 million rubles. Also include in the expenses the costs of uniforms for waiters and kitchen workers - 20,000 rubles each (it is worth making two or three sets at once). Fixed expenses for groceries, tissues, toilet paper, detergents and other items can eat up half of the revenue.
Promotion
Own signage, blogs, special offers for employees of nearby business centers will help attract guests. It is very important to immediately understand how to present yourself to the audience, what niche to occupy, because you cannot change the concept in one season.
Illustrations: Natalia Osipova
We thank the Mulberry Cafe, I Like Bar, and Sokolniki Park administration for their help in preparing the material.