How to start a coffee shop business in India?
I’ve been sipping espresso at my own tiny café in Bangalore for two years, and starting a coffee shop in India in 2025 is a vibe—cafés are cultural hubs now, with the market growing at 8% yearly. Here’s how to brew your dream.Step 1: Plan Your Vibe Niche matters—cozy book nook or Instagramable hipster spot? Survey locals via Instagram polls; Tier-2 cities like Pune are less saturated than metros. Budget: ₹10-20L for a small setup.Step 2: Legal and Setup - Licenses: FSSAI (₹7k), Shop Act (₹5k), GST. - Location: 500 sq ft in high-footfall areas (₹30k/month rent). - Gear: Espresso machine, grinder (₹3-5L via IndiaMART). Step 3: Menu and Ops Offer filter coffee, cold brews (₹100-200). Source beans from Coorg (₹500/kg). Hire 3-4 staff (₹15k/month each). Use Square for POS.Step 4: Market It Insta-worthy décor, loyalty cards, and local events (open mic nights). Aim for ₹1L/month profit after 6 months. Watch food costs—wastage kills margins. Café Coffee Day’s journey inspires. What’s your café’s theme?