Looking Back and Ahead with Coffee Shops and Franchises

By Damian Papworth

While the origins of coffee shops go back some five hundred years, there are few periods in history where their popularity has been greater than in the present time. Coffee houses in Mecca were already a concern to the Imams in the early sixteenth century, indicating that they had been established as centers for gathering for some time. You?ll see similar complaints from English monarchs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. By the 1960s, coffee houses were places where gatherings -- often music-oriented -- would occur, especially in the U.S.

Coffee shops continue to succeed by combining a little bit of charm from each of these different epochs. On the one hand, a couple of close friends can still commune in a quiet (or suitably lively) environment, while on the other hand coffee connoisseurs can get to try a new blend or roasting technique. Freelance workers and writers can find a communal work space in these time of nontraditional and remote work spaces. Even though the office continues to disappear, the caf? is taking its place.

Maybe the biggest difference between old fashioned coffee houses and their modern counterparts is the coffee itself. These days, besides the improvements on the part of farmers (in both growing and storage), the global character of the business world has brought the best coffee available to the hands of any company willing to do the homework and pay the import prices. Bringing this coffee into local shops has only increased the popularity of the caf?.

For entrepreneurs looking for a business opportunity, coffee franchises should definitely be on the list of possibilities. The success of many brands in international and domestic markets has been incredible in the last 20 years. Most of them began with the basic coffee, but specialized drinks have grown in popularity over the last few years, making some coffee ?cocktails? rival prices found in pubs and restaurants, only with a much greater profit margin.

To see the opportunities for different coffee shops in your area, check out some key corners in a business district nearby. There are brands ready to make an immediate impact.

The key to starting a successful coffee shop is establishing the right atmosphere. Starting with the right employees and the right management, a caf? will succeed largely on its ambiance. Some live performances and readings might be a good fit for your coffee shop.

Setting the right tone for your caf? is important, as it will become a social center before you know it. Customers of all ages should feel welcome, from teens who aren?t ready for the pubs to anyone looking for a lively, relaxing place.

Franchise owners who find themselves with a loyal client base can look ahead to other opportunities once an initial business is established. Customers like to continue to deal with respected names and faces in the area. - 17268

About the Author:

Damian Papworth employs a 5 cup coffee maker for dinner parties. But he realizes one cup coffee makers are more suitable for making his first coffee.