Now that the weather is warming up, you should have some plans in motion to get customers into your coffee shop. It seems like the business does taper off as the warmer weather approaches. For many daily customers a cup of coffee or two is part of their routine regardless of how hot or cold it is outside. Yet not all of your customers are going to feel this way.
Pinpoint the slowest part of your day and make that your happy hour. This is an hour or two each afternoon when people can buy one drink and get one free. You can also offer half price drinks or drink specials. You will find such deals often get people to come in when they otherwise would pass up the opportunity to do so.
Chances are your menu offers some very wonderful selections. If you don’t offer iced coffee then you may want to. It can become a permanent part of the menu or just something you want to offer during the warmer part of the year. These types of drinks cool, refreshing, and they offer the coffee flavor that your customers are looking for.
You can go a completely different direction with some cooler drinks too. There is no written rule that says you must only offer coffee related drinks. Cold smoothies made from fresh strawberries or bananas will be a huge hit. They are healthy and they are sweet too which is a good combination for those with a need for something refreshing. Yet they also want to have a snack that satisfies their sweet tooth.
It won’t take too much effort to sell some ice cream as well. You can get a small freezer to hold about five great flavors in. You can serve it in dishes or cones. It will get complicated if you have too many flavors or toppings. Yet having some basic ice cream flavors can be something your customers look forward to.
Lighten up the atmosphere of the coffee shop in the summer too. This way it will become a place where people enjoy hanging out. Keep the dcor simple but attractive and inviting. You also want to keep it very cool in there so people will find it more relaxing than the temperatures outdoors.
Since kids are out in the summer, you want your coffee shop to offer drinks and an atmosphere they will love. This way parents are going to be coming in with them to get a snack instead of going to a kid oriented location. This is great way to promote families in your coffee shop. The money you will make appealing to this crowd is very good so don’t brush off the idea.
With a few simple changes you can certainly continue to have a very busy coffee shop all summer long. You are risking losing money if you just allow the business to continue as it is during the warmer months. You may be making a profit, but the overall amount could be much higher if you put some effort into advertising and into offering some great summer drinks.