How Much Does It Cost To Open A Coffee Shop

How Much Does It Cost To Open a Coffee Shop In 2025?

Most coffee shops cost between $80,000 and $300,000 to open, depending on location, size, and concept. Small kiosks or carts can be cheaper, while full cafés with seating or drive-thru service usually cost more. Most first-time owners opening a brick-and-mortar café fall in the $100,000 to $200,000 range.

The biggest upfront expense is usually the space itself. Leasehold improvements, plumbing, electrical work, permits, and inspections can range from $20,000 to $100,000. Opening in a former café or restaurant can significantly reduce these costs compared to building out a raw space.

Equipment is another major investment. Espresso machines, grinders, brewers, refrigeration, and water filtration systems typically cost between $15,000 and $50,000. Reliable equipment is essential for speed and consistency, so this is not an area most owners want to cut corners.

Furniture, fixtures, POS systems, and smallwares often add $5,000 to $25,000. Initial inventory, licenses, permits, and basic marketing usually require several thousand dollars more.

One of the most important costs is working capital. Most coffee shops do not break even immediately, so having $20,000 to $50,000 set aside for rent, payroll, and operating expenses during the first few months is critical.

In total, a small coffee shop in an existing space might open for around $120,000, while a more built-out café in a higher-cost market can exceed $200,000. The exact number depends on rent, labor, pricing, and daily sales volume, which is why modeling your numbers ahead of time is essential before signing a lease.

Our Coffee Shop Financial Projection Template helps you turn rough ideas into clear numbers before you commit real money. It lets you estimate startup costs, monthly cash flow, break-even timing, and profitability using your own rent, pricing, and sales assumptions. Built in Excel and designed for real-world coffee shops, the model is easy to customize and works for cafés, kiosks, and drive-thru concepts. Whether you’re planning your first shop or preparing for an SBA loan, this template shows you exactly how the business performs on paper before you open the doors.