Dreaming of Your Own Café? Here’s the Complete Roadmap to Start Your Journey.

Roadmap to Open a Café in India (2025)

Phase 1: Planning & Research

1. Define Your Café Concept

Before you select tiles or coffee machines — get clarity on your dream café:

• Format: Dine-in / Takeaway / QSR / Co-working / Rooftop
• Cuisine: Bakery, Beverages only, Fusion, Regional
• Customers: Students, Professionals, Couples, Families
• USP: Cozy interiors? Fast service? Vegan-only? Books & coffee?

“Your concept is your café’s soul. Don’t copy — create.”

2. Market Research

• Visit 10+ cafés in your target area. Observe menu, ambience, and crowd.
• Ask people what they’d love in a new café.
• Use Instagram polls, Google reviews, and Zomato filters for insights.

3. Budget Planning

• Investment Range: ₹8 to ₹25 lakhs
• Include rent, interiors, licenses, staff salaries, raw materials, marketing
• Create a breakeven model on Excel or Google Sheets.

Phase 2: Legal & Operational Setup

4. Registration of Business

Select from Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, or Pvt Ltd. Use CA services or online portals like IndiaFilings.

5. Licenses That Are A Must

• FSSAI
• Shop & Establishment
• Trade License
• GST
• Fire NOC
• Eating House
• Music License

6. Location Finalization

• High footfall, accessible, commercial zone
• Check water, power, drainage, and visibility
• Proper rent agreement stating “commercial use”

Phase 3: Interiors & Setup

7. Design the Space

• Plan kitchen layout and seating
• Pick a theme: Rustic, Minimal, Industrial
• Stay within budget — DIY helps too!

8. Purchase Equipment & Furniture

• Kitchen: Coffee machine, freezer, oven, gas range
• Service: POS, Cutlery, Crockery, Packaging
• Interior: Tables, Chairs, Lighting

9. Finalize Your Vendors

• Groceries, Milk, Bread, Coffee Beans
• Negotiate credit & alternate backup vendors

Phase 4: Hiring & Menu

10. Employ a Small but Stable Team

• Chef, Barista, Billing Staff, Cleaner
• Focus on hygiene, basic English, customer service

11. Develop an Equilibrium Menu

• 20–30 dishes initially
• Combos like Cold Coffee + Sandwich ₹199
• Track cost % and update seasonally

Phase 5: Launch & Grow

12. Pre-Launch Marketing

• Instagram teasers, food previews
• Collaborate with local foodies

13. Soft Launch

• Test run with friends & family
• Refine based on feedback

14. Grand Launch

• Launch combos, live music or quiz event
• Collect reviews, hashtags, photo ops

15. Post-Launch Tips

• Loyalty offers, feedback system
• Monitor daily sales, tweak menu regularly

Cafe Founder Tips

• Prioritize kitchen over decor spend
• Keep 3-month runway of rent + salary
• Track wastage, bills, footfall daily
• Start lean, scale smartly