This week, Ahmed Al-Hani shares with you a set of important tips in response to the questions he regularly receives about establishing a successful coffee shop. Whether you want to enter the coffee shop world or are looking for the necessary steps to set up your own business, these tips will help you understand the concept of working in this field and how to provide high-quality service that meets customer expectations in Saudi Arabia.
Follow us to learn about the most important steps and questions that will help you determine if you are qualified to open a successful coffee shop, and how to achieve success in your new venture in the coffee shop sector.
Table of Contents
First: Is your motivation real... or just a pretty picture?
The first question you need to ask yourself honestly is:
Why do you want to open a coffee shop?
If the reason is:
"I want a beautiful lifestyle"
"Coffee shops are an easy source of income"
"I want a place to hang out with my friends"
Then you should pause for a moment.
Successful coffee shops are often built on a love for the experience, not just appearances.
The right person to open a coffee shop is someone who:
Truly loves coffee or the hospitality world
Has a different idea they want to present
Cares about the quality of the experience
Thinks about building a brand that lasts for years, not just a quick side income
The right motivation doesn't guarantee success, but it's the first sign that you're entering the field correctly.
Second: Do you like daily work and attention to detail?
Managing a coffee shop isn't just about a marble counter and soft music.
It includes:
Daily preparation
Ensuring coffee and product quality
Coordinating with suppliers
Dealing with staff issues
Receiving customer feedback
Following up on applications, contracts, and requirements
Dealing with sudden breakdowns and continuous shortages
The right person to work in the coffee shop world is someone who:
Doesn't shy away from details
Isn't bothered by repetition
Realizes that the project doesn't run itself
Is willing to be mentally present almost every day
If you like organization, problem-solving, and constantly improving workflow — this is a very positive indicator.
Third: How do you deal with numbers... do you run from them or leverage them?
A beautiful coffee shop without clear numbers... often turns into a financial loss.
You don't have to be an accountant,
But you should be comfortable with basics like:
Cost per cup
Salary percentage
Rent percentage
Break-even point
Products incurring losses
Profit margins
A successful coffee shop owner is someone who:
Monitors their numbers regularly
Changes decisions based on data
Knows when to stop selling a certain product
And when to raise prices
And when to redesign the menu
The real danger isn't in not knowing the numbers...but in ignoring them.
Fourth: Do you enjoy building a team or prefer to do everything yourself?
No successful coffee shop relies on just one person.
Coffee shops that last and grow are characterized by:
A clear leader
Continuous training
Defined roles and responsibilities
A quality system
A strong team culture
The right person for this field is someone who:
Enjoys training others
Listens to their team
Builds effective systems
Deals well with people
And invests in team development
If you hate delegating or think you'll always do everything yourself, this field will likely be very exhausting for you.
Fifth: Do you clearly know your audience and experience?
Before you think about choosing the machine... ask yourself:
Who are my customers?
Why do they choose my coffee shop?
What experience do I want to provide?
How do I want people to talk about my coffee shop?
Is it:
A specialized coffee shop for coffee lovers?
A place to work?
A place for meetings and gatherings?
Fast service?
A social place?
A family-friendly environment?
Clarity on these points is the foundation upon which to build:
The beverage and food menu
The design of the place
The style of service
The pricing policy
The coffee shop's identity
Without clarity, the coffee shop becomes just a generic copy without a real personality.
Should I open a coffee shop?
This video from Marid's channel offers details to help you further understand the coffee shop business and determine if it's right for you.
So, who is the right person to open a coffee shop?
If you:
✔ Possess a genuine motivation built on value and an authentic experience
✔ Enjoy daily work and attention to detail
✔ Are willing to learn and meticulously monitor numbers
✔ Love building a strong team and constantly developing it
✔ Have complete clarity about your audience and the experience you offer
Then you are one of the people who have a real chance of success in the coffee shop world.
Competition is fierce, and there are no guarantees.
However, having these fundamentals ensures your efforts follow a logical path, rather than being a random adventure.
And if you decide to open a coffee shop…
At Marid, we aspire to be your success partners from the start.
Whether it's in:
Selecting the best coffee beans for your project
Maintaining consistent quality in beverage preparation
Offering our support and expertise in specialty coffee
Or providing carefully selected coffee beans for your shop
At Marid, we work hand-in-hand with coffee shop owners as suppliers and quality partners, striving to help you build a distinctive and sustainable coffee experience from day one.
Follow Marid's channel on YouTube for specialized educational content that enhances your knowledge of the coffee world and helps you establish your business professionally.
